post-bac or just apply?

[msb1]

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Hey everyone:
I realize that there are a lot of low gpa threads out there but this one is a little different so any advice would be appreciated. My question is (see stats below) should I enroll in post-bacc or take classes through extension or just apply next june (taking mcat in aug)?

I have been working for the past year in hosptial administration. My u/g gpa as a biology major was 3.16 overall with a 2.9 sci/ 3.7 non science. The last year and a half had an upward trend with mostly either As or Bs and last year took all course load of all hard biology classes (Cs in ochem, bs/cs in gchem and physics). My mph gpa was 3.75. I am still prepping for the mcat but I have some publications (I look like a great phd applicant on paper with all my research) great leadership and life experience.

How do I alleviate my terrible u/g gpa? I work full time now and thought about taking classes through extension but am not sure if that will be viewed as challenging enough by the adcoms.

 

[scooter31]

Hi msb-

I'm going to go against mbess and say go for it. I think, that with a MPH and good GPA from there, life experience, research experience, and hopefully a good MCAT score, there are plenty of places that will give you a look-see. If you need inspiration, check out exmike's story-- he has similarities in his app and he got into a buttload of places. I too am in the same boat (sans MPH), and I am going to give it a try this app cycle (just waiting on MCAT scores now). I think if you do your homework, and carefully select your schools that you wish to apply to, you will find your self in a good place. If you want more details about my situation, PM me, otherwise, best of luck to you.

Oh, and if you can, try and take a course or two, undergrad, to show you can be successful in these tough, upper division courses. I think OChem is done with, so dont retake those, but maybe if you do well in biochem, physio, immuno, some of the more challenging courses, you can boost the GPA (not much mind you), and prove your mettle in these hard classes. So yeah, more tough classes, do well on the MCAT, wisely choose the schools you think you'd like to go to, and you may be pleasantly suprised. Then, if that doesnt work out, consider a more fulltime, structured post bac program.

 

[Orchid 209]

You can do a post-bacc and apply the same year. If you haven't taken the MCATs and plan on taking it in August, some schools may wait for your scores before they look at your file. Some as late as mid January, by then you would have your first semester grades and can send updates.

Good Luck on your decisions.

 

[medic170]

If your MCAT is above like 25-26+, and you are interested in DO, than I think you would have a shot at some DO schools. However, you are going to be late in the application cycle, and that is going to hurt, especially with the lower stats. Had you taken the April MCAT and applied early, I would have more confidence.

In my case, I am applying this cycle and attanding a formal post-bac at LECOM during the glide year. I figure, if I get in, than I will be well prepared for MS1, and if I do not get in, I will be able to go to LECOM DO program or apply again with my post-bac grades.

I'd suggest doing something similar. As far as working full-time, if you really want this, your going to have to cut back to part-time and take out some loans so you can take a full load. I worked full time through undergrad, and thats a big part of why by gpa is not stellar. If you go to a formal program, you can take out graduate level stafford loans, so keep that in mind. These ADCOMS want to know that you can handle the load, so I think it is much better to work part time, and take a full load, than to keep working full-time, andtake a few classes at a time. Good Luck!

 

[msb1]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm sorry I didn't clarify that I would apply next June since I still need to take the MCAT. All your suggestions were helpful and I think I'm going to try to enroll in a post bacc or take some extra classes through extension to demonstrate I can handle the rigor of med school. However, I think I've missed the deadline to apply for most post bacc including georgetown's and other schools. What courses would you recommend taking through extension?

 

[ko061]

This is just my opinion, but you are probably going to be a border line applicant. I am one myself and I applied once, so I know.

If you get a good MCAT score (31+), you are likely to get in somewhere (50% chance?), but there's also a good chance that you won't. It costs alot of money to apply, and doing a postbacc is going to have a significant impact on your application, I think, with your undergrad gpa. So I would recommend doing a postbacc....

Good luck!

 

[ItsNotATumor]

If you have a good MCAT score, I wouldn't worry about taking more classes, espeically if there is an upward trend in your grades.