Post Bac low hours

[PressPforPi]

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I'm working on trying to boost my undergrad GPA via a DIY post bac. However, the classes I can afford to take are somewhat limited. I'm even paying out of pocket for one of them (using military TA for others). As of right now, with 6 credit hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA is a 3.38/3.26 and 3.38/3.17 for DO. With 8 more hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA will be a 3.4/3.3 and 3.4/3.2 for DO. I'll only have 14 hours of post bac credits when I apply. I've been out of school 3.5 years now, and I'm trying to demonstrate that I'm not the same person I was when I graduated. Fatigue and stress due to family situations helped me in having a downward trend. I'm trying to take the hardest science courses that the CC on my base offers, but I'm still very limited, as in A&P 1 and 2, Microbio, etc. Should I just keep trying to add on more hours? Should I try a Master's? I fully intend on applying this cycle. I'd really appreciate some guidance.

 

[epoxydine]

I'm working on trying to boost my undergrad GPA via a DIY post bac. However, the classes I can afford to take are somewhat limited. I'm even paying out of pocket for one of them (using military TA for others). As of right now, with 6 credit hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA is a 3.38/3.26 and 3.38/3.17 for DO. With 8 more hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA will be a 3.4/3.3 and 3.4/3.2 for DO. I'll only have 14 hours of post bac credits when I apply. I've been out of school 3.5 years now, and I'm trying to demonstrate that I'm not the same person I was when I graduated. Fatigue and stress due to family situations helped me in having a downward trend. I'm trying to take the hardest science courses that the CC on my base offers, but I'm still very limited, as in A&P 1 and 2, Microbio, etc. Should I just keep trying to add on more hours? Should I try a Master's? I fully intend on applying this cycle. I'd really appreciate some guidance.

Someone on here once advised that a 'robust' post bacc should consist of ~1 year's worth of credits, which would be between 24-30 credits I believe? In my case, I had a 3.1-2ish science GPA. I wanted to show that I could perform better in upper level bio classes so I will have taken 23 credits of science courses plus an additional 3 cred psych class for a total of 26 credits in the post bacc. But, of course it depends on the rest of your application, if you have a super high MCAT for example, you might not have to do as much post bacc work. I think 14 credits is substantial as it's the equivalent of around a semester of work, so granted the rest of your app is pretty good you may be alright.

 

[PressPforPi]

Someone on here once advised that a 'robust' post bacc should consist of ~1 year's worth of credits, which would be between 24-30 credits I believe? In my case, I had a 3.1-2ish science GPA. I wanted to show that I could perform better in upper level bio classes so I will have taken 23 credits of science courses plus an additional 3 cred psych class for a total of 26 credits in the post bacc. But, of course it depends on the rest of your application, if you have a super high MCAT for example, you might not have to do as much post bacc work. I think 14 credits is substantial as it's the equivalent of around a semester of work, so granted the rest of your app is pretty good you may be alright.

Honestly, my MCAT isn't the best, but I'm more than happy with a DO acceptance. I would have liked a retake but between surgery, classes, my job, and getting back to PT, I didn't want to risk scoring lower. But thank you. I'll apply broadly and hope for the best.

 

[epoxydine]

Honestly, my MCAT isn't the best, but I'm more than happy with a DO acceptance. I would have liked a retake but between surgery, classes, my job, and getting back to PT, I didn't want to risk scoring lower. But thank you. I'll apply broadly and hope for the best.

Best of luck to you! Even if you don't have a ton of post-grad credits, if you are able to get your DO gpas up to 3.4/3.2, you stand a good chance IMO.

 

[Goro]

I'm working on trying to boost my undergrad GPA via a DIY post bac. However, the classes I can afford to take are somewhat limited. I'm even paying out of pocket for one of them (using military TA for others). As of right now, with 6 credit hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA is a 3.38/3.26 and 3.38/3.17 for DO. With 8 more hours of A's, my MD cGPA/sGPA will be a 3.4/3.3 and 3.4/3.2 for DO. I'll only have 14 hours of post bac credits when I apply. I've been out of school 3.5 years now, and I'm trying to demonstrate that I'm not the same person I was when I graduated. Fatigue and stress due to family situations helped me in having a downward trend. I'm trying to take the hardest science courses that the CC on my base offers, but I'm still very limited, as in A&P 1 and 2, Microbio, etc. Should I just keep trying to add on more hours? Should I try a Master's? I fully intend on applying this cycle. I'd really appreciate some guidance.

14 hrs of post-bac is nowhere enough to convince me that you can handle med school. Come back when you have 30+ hours, or enroll in an SMP.

 

[PressPforPi]

14 hrs of post-bac is nowhere enough to convince me that you can handle med school. Come back when you have 30+ hours, or enroll in an SMP.

As always, I appreciate reading your comments, Goro. However, if I obtain a 3.4/3.2, would I at least have a shot at obtaining interviews? I’m still active duty so I’m very limited in terms of courses and programs that I can do.

 

[giguerex35]

have you tried any online classes. you can check which schools will be ok with them and which wont but id imagine online classes would be perfect in your case

 

[Goro]

As always, I appreciate reading your comments, Goro. However, if I obtain a 3.4/3.2, would I at least have a shot at obtaining interviews? I’m still active duty so I’m very limited in terms of courses and programs that I can do.

Yes. Being on active service does count for something.

 

[PressPforPi]

Yes. Being on active service does count for something.

Well, I’ll just continue to do what I can and apply broadly and hope for the best. Thank you and thanks to all the other commenters that offered advice.

 

[Goro]

Well, I’ll just continue to do what I can and apply broadly and hope for the best. Thank you and thanks to all the other commenters that offered advice.

Many thanks for your service to our country!

 

[Rei02sDinnerParty]

n=1

3.2 uGPA; 90th% MCAT; 4.0 DIY postbac @ ~20 credits, 8 DO IIs, 2 MD IIs -> 7 DO acceptances, 1 MD waitlist, 1 MD decision up in the air.


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