Post-bac VS 1+ in undergrad

[Fakesmile]

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If your undergrad BCPM GPA is lacking, you can do postbacc.
But alternatively, how about doing 1 more year of undergrad to take additional science courses?
Both would increase your BCPM GPA, after all. What's the difference?
But would adcoms treat them the same?

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

What's the difference, don't they both just consist of taking undergraduate courses?

 

[BORNagainSTDENT]

what you are describing is actually an unofficial post bacc.

 

[Fakesmile]

Please define what you mean by postbac!!! Do you mean another bachelor's degree or ugrad classes after graduating?

ugrad classes after graduating

If you mean either of the first 2 options your grades will just be averaged in your overall GPA.

But how is that different from delaying graduation by 1 year to take more ugrad classes? If you were to take more ugrad classes, would it be better to graduate first and then take them, or delay graduation to take them? Wouldn't adcoms suspect the ability of someone who couldn't graduate in 4 years?

 

[WaterBird]

But how is that different from delaying graduation by 1 year to take more ugrad classes? If you were to take more ugrad classes, would it be better to graduate first and then take them, or delay graduation to take them? Wouldn't adcoms suspect the ability of someone who couldn't graduate in 4 years?

Well, obviously you do have the ability to graduate in 4 years but you would be choosing not to - I don't see how this is that different from taking more classes afterwards.

I don't know, I think any advice you get from anyone other than LizzyM will be anecdotal. I graduated in more than 4 years and only 1 interviewer asked about it. Then again, my reasons were more in depth than to get better grades. Also, I don't know how it was viewed by those who did not ask about it.

I think they look at this part very quickly - if your numbers are good I would guess that many won't even notice the number of years. If I were you I would choose the option that you'll do well in or the one that is cheaper.

 

[Shawnpremed]

Well I go to a UC, and UC's with med schools offer an official Postbacc Program where they not only make u take/retake upper div bio's. THey also offer med. advising, their own 'MCAT Prep course', and some other stuff I dunno about- This program costs money, but they say "their top students get into med school" if you want to believe that.
So the diff b/w doing formal and unofficial post bacc to me would be money, extra support and freedom to choose which upper div bio courses you take.

Personally I'd save the $$$ and enjoy the extra freedom by doing a postbacc program. Depends what you want. Hope this helps.

 

[LizzyM]

Plenty of undergrads are on the 5 year plan; some of them can't register for the courses they need because of caps on enrollment, some change majors and need the extra time to fit in the required courses. Frankly, adcom members tend not to get very excited about it. (doesn't hurt or help)

On the AMCAS this just shows up as a lot of classes in the "senior" year (senior year is your 4th year and any additional years required to earn the degree). Anything done after college graduation is split out and shows up on a post-bac line on the AMCAS

(AMCAS application have a table that shows gpa and credits taken for BCPM, AO (all other) and Total, by year and for all undergrad years, as well as post bac and graduate school).