Post-bac vs Grad School

[vooweevoo]

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I'm awefully sorry if my question is trivial, but I can't seem to find a direct answer through the search function. Are the "post-bacs" that are discussed on this forum and the FAQ considered the same as graduate school? As far as a trying to get into medical school standpoint, if they are not the same, how would they compare assuming the grad school is science based? This is a completely naive/ignorant opinion, but it seems that while it might take longer the grad school option is a little more involved? Of course assuming you don't take 7 years to complete a thesis, and you're teaching as well with decent classloads. Thanks!

 

[microgin]

I'm awefully sorry if my question is trivial, but I can't seem to find a direct answer through the search function. Are the "post-bacs" that are discussed on this forum and the FAQ considered the same as graduate school? As far as a trying to get into medical school standpoint, if they are not the same, how would they compare assuming the grad school is science based? This is a completely naive/ignorant opinion, but it seems that while it might take longer the grad school option is a little more involved? Of course assuming you don't take 7 years to complete a thesis, and you're teaching as well with decent classloads. Thanks!

No, the post-bac programs mentioned on this forum are not the same as graduate school. People usually complete a post-bac for one of two reasons... either 1) they have not taken the necessary pre-req courses for med school admission (biology, gen chem, orgo, & physics) while they were undergrads and so need to take them post- receiving their baccalaureate degree, or 2) they didn't do as well as they would have liked during their undergrad careers, and so would like to take advanced undergrad science courses to boost their undergraduate GPA to make themselves more competitive for med school admission. An important thing to make note of, is for allopathic med schools, one's graduate school GPA is not factored in to one's undergraduate GPA, while post-bac grades are factored into one's undergraduate GPA. So, in a nutshell, good graduate school grades will do nothing to help offset a poor undergraduate showing, whereas good post-bac grades will. There are many threads on Grad schools vs. post-bac programs which you can search for. Osteopathic schools calculate GPA a bit differently, and if you are interested in those schools, you can do a search to get more info.

Lastly, I'm not sure if by grad school you mean Master's programs or Doctorate (PhD) programs? Most Master's programs only take 1-2 years to complete full-time, and teaching is not usually a requirement. PhD programs will take ~5-7 years to complete, but I don't think spending that many years will really help your cause at attaining an MD.... there are better uses of your time, unless you are super interested in being a research physician.

 

[vooweevoo]

A sincere thanks for taking the time to clear up my confusion. After searching a bit more on the subject I guess I need to ask for advice as far as getting into an allo school goes; I will graduate this May with hopefully a high 3.4 ~3.5 science GPA, ~ 3.6 overall. Took the MCAT this August, anticipating hopefully a 30+, with less than average EC's and would have decent LOR's.

The main goal is of course med school, but I'm not too concerned about taking another 1-2 years before applying improving my app, especially my EC's. So I've been searching for means to improve my EC's while continuing doing something academically. I've been searching, and seems a regular Master's Program (1-2 years) gets generally a bad rap because of possible inflation, lack of difficulty, and not improving undergraduate GPA. SMP's/postbacs get a favorable nod due to med school type courses, possible linkages, improved GPA. My u-grad GPA doesn't really have much room for significant improvement, I'll have more than ~120 science credits.

The Master's program I would apply to would involve teaching/substantial research/thesis and by my estimation is far from a lax curriculum. That said would I be better off with an SMP improving my application, or am I stuck in a limbo with my GPA? Thanks again!

 

[microgin]

A sincere thanks for taking the time to clear up my confusion. After searching a bit more on the subject I guess I need to ask for advice as far as getting into an allo school goes; I will graduate this May with hopefully a high 3.4 ~3.5 science GPA, ~ 3.6 overall. Took the MCAT this August, anticipating hopefully a 30+, with less than average EC's and would have decent LOR's.

The main goal is of course med school, but I'm not too concerned about taking another 1-2 years before applying improving my app, especially my EC's. So I've been searching for means to improve my EC's while continuing doing something academically. I've been searching, and seems a regular Master's Program (1-2 years) gets generally a bad rap because of possible inflation, lack of difficulty, and not improving undergraduate GPA. SMP's/postbacs get a favorable nod due to med school type courses, possible linkages, improved GPA. My u-grad GPA doesn't really have much room for significant improvement, I'll have more than ~120 science credits.

The Master's program I would apply to would involve teaching/substantial research/thesis and by my estimation is far from a lax curriculum. That said would I be better off with an SMP improving my application, or am I stuck in a limbo with my GPA? Thanks again!

A 3.5-3.6 is about average for allopathic matriculants, so not sure what you mean by "limbo". Personally, if I were in your shoes, and you actually get a 30+ on your MCAT, I would take the year to boost your ECs with clinical experience either through volunteering, shadowing, or find a clinically-applicable job. I don't know too much about SMPs, so hopefully someone else will be able to comment on that option.

 

[silkworm]

SMP is great for those people needing to prove their academic abilities to med schools. But I don't think it's for everyone.

1. The cost. If you are not independently wealthy, it may cost you $50,000 in loans for one year (including living expenses).

2. The work. SMP are designed to be very academically challenging. I am currently in the Georgetown program and they are not kidding when they say 5-6 hours of studying outside of class time per day. If for any reason (personal, illness, academic ability) you perform badly in the SMP, it may actually hurt your chances.

Your numbers as they are should be fine and you don't need a SMP. I would consider both the cost and the amount of work involved with SMPs. If your academic record is sound and you have a glide year, I would suggest pursuing something else that's interesting to you.