Part time postbac and job, am I not doing enough?

[samosamosa]

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Hi ppl

I graduated from college June 2018 with a GPA of 3.21, upward trend. Since then, I have been doing a part time DIY postbacc (2 classes per semester), working a medical job, and volunteering a lot. My GPA is now 3.29 and I'm trying to reach 3.3 before I apply MD/DO this June.

My question is - does taking only 1-2 classes at a time look bad? I've read on several SDN threads that taking a "full semester course load" during a postbacc is ideal, and that taking only 1-2 classes at a time doesn't show adcoms you "have what it takes." However, I am doing a lot of other things this year (work, volunteering, getting LORs together, writing essays for apps) and I can't really take on another 2 classes.

Am I OK with my part time post bacc, or do I need to look into taking another gap year or something to "prove" I can handle a full time course load? My apologies if this post is neurotic!! I'm just really nervous about applying this cycle and worried about any shortcomings given my already low GPA.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[PentuPenguin]

Hi ppl

I graduated from college June 2018 with a GPA of 3.21, upward trend. Since then, I have been doing a part time DIY postbacc (2 classes per semester), working a medical job, and volunteering a lot. My GPA is now 3.29 and I'm trying to reach 3.3 before I apply MD/DO this June.

My question is - does taking only 1-2 classes at a time look bad? I've read on several SDN threads that taking a "full semester course load" during a postbacc is ideal, and that taking only 1-2 classes at a time doesn't show adcoms you "have what it takes." However, I am doing a lot of other things this year (work, volunteering, getting LORs together, writing essays for apps) and I can't really take on another 2 classes.

Am I OK with my part time post bacc, or do I need to look into taking another gap year or something to "prove" I can handle a full time course load? My apologies if this post is neurotic!! I'm just really nervous about applying this cycle and worried about any shortcomings given my already low GPA.

Thank you all in advance!

I did a post-bacc and know many people who are in a similar position as you are. In my interviews, I was told that they liked the difficult courseload I was taking and the fact that I was doing several courses at once. HOWEVER, your current context matters a lot to them - stick to your job, and keep testing the idea that you want to be a doctor throughout your time as a post-bacc. If you engage with activities that will further show your commitment, I am sure that you will be fine. Also, ace all of your classes 🙂 Maybe an adcom can have more insight here, but it sounds to me like you are in a good path

 

[saradocMD]

Are you working full time? Whats the reason you're only taking 1-2 courses at a time? If it's because you need to support yourself and have a full time income, and couldnt afford to take a full courseload, or if you have an amazing research/clinical job that you really feel should be full time/take up more time than your courses its ok. If on the other hand you're taking 1-2 classes at a time just because you're worried that this is all you can handle, that would be more of a red flag. In med school you'll have a full courseload, so the admissions committees will want to be sure you can handle that. Your undergrad GPA is fine but bluntly not as high as most US med schools want. So there needs to be something special about you and your postbac time, or you need to get an amazing postbac GPA to assure them you can handle med school.

Does this help? Let me know if you have further questions

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

I did a part time DIY post bacc for a year to finish up four classes. I had a research job that was 3 days a week (my non school days). It was a good balance for me and I don’t think it negatively impacted my application cycle.

That said, I had a pretty strong GPA in undergrad so there was other evidence that I could handle an intense courseload.

With your upward trend, is there evidence of that for you? Or might they have questions about your ability to juggle multiple classes?

 

[lalalallala]

I think that if you had done well in undergrad and were taking post bac classes to finish the pre-reqs then it would be fine to take 1-2, but for your situation of trying to raise your GPA I am concerned that it doesn't look too good. Schools need to see that you can handle a difficult course load (more than 1-2 courses) to alleviate their concerns about your previous GPA. You are admittedly in a tough spot working, doing the post bac, and volunteering so hopefully they would be understanding - I am just not sure you will have MD schools convinced by your GPA

 

[samosamosa]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I do really like my job (I work as a medical technician so there's lots of patient contact), and although it's part time I do try to maximize my work hours to save up money for apps. I'm definitely not just taking 1-2 classes because I can't handle more than that, I had good grades my senior year with 16+ credits both semesters. But now I'm worried they'll see this year as a red flag.. yikes

What do yall think I should do to alleviate that concern? I could definitely highlight my postbacc ECs in my PS/secondaries to show I'm not just taking 2 classes/semester to slack off lol. I'm reluctant to take another gap year for financial reasons. Would taking full courseloads during the app cycle itself help during interviews? For context my MCAT is 522, will that help much?

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I do really like my job (I work as a medical technician so there's lots of patient contact), and although it's part time I do try to maximize my work hours to save up money for apps. I'm definitely not just taking 1-2 classes because I can't handle more than that, I had good grades my senior year with 16+ credits both semesters. But now I'm worried they'll see this year as a red flag.. yikes

What do yall think I should do to alleviate that concern? I could definitely highlight my postbacc ECs in my PS/secondaries to show I'm not just taking 2 classes/semester to slack off lol. I'm reluctant to take another gap year for financial reasons. Would taking full courseloads during the app cycle itself help during interviews? For context my MCAT is 522, will that help much?

This context helps. When you say your senior gpa was high — how high? Could you give a rough estimate of gpa for each year?

 

[samosamosa]

This context helps. When you say your senior gpa was high — how high? Could you give a rough estimate of gpa for each year?

By year: 2.9 - 3.1 - 3.4 - 3.7 - 4.0(postbacc)

 

[chemdoctor]

By year: 2.9 - 3.1 - 3.4 - 3.7 - 4.0(postbacc)

Damn dude. You’re doing great. That’s a steep upwards trend! Keep that 4.0 and you should be alright

 

[M&L]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I do really like my job (I work as a medical technician so there's lots of patient contact), and although it's part time I do try to maximize my work hours to save up money for apps. I'm definitely not just taking 1-2 classes because I can't handle more than that, I had good grades my senior year with 16+ credits both semesters. But now I'm worried they'll see this year as a red flag.. yikes

What do yall think I should do to alleviate that concern? I could definitely highlight my postbacc ECs in my PS/secondaries to show I'm not just taking 2 classes/semester to slack off lol. I'm reluctant to take another gap year for financial reasons. Would taking full courseloads during the app cycle itself help during interviews? For context my MCAT is 522, will that help much?

dude... if your MCAT is 522, just do exactly what you are doing and youll be fine. SERIOUSLY. keep the trend up, and you are good.