Post bacc advice..are these classes enough?

[Wrigley_260]

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Hi All!

Quick question;
I'll be applying to medical school next year, and recently got accepted into a "certificate" program (basically an abridged post-bacc) at the institution that I work for.

As part of this program, I'll be able to complete 5 classes by the time I apply (mid June of 2018). The classes would consist of upper level bio courses (immuno, physio, micro, etc) and the program can be completed in 4 courses. I want to take advantage of this because I feel like my application could use it (3.6 cGPA 3.4 sGPA w upward trend), but I'm not sure how schools view these types of programs because they would only be a few courses instead of the typical full post-bacc curriculum. I should also note that I was a biology major in undergrad, so I've already taken all of the pre-med requirements.

Does anyone here have any insight/experience with a program like this?

Thank you!

 

[Catalystik]

I'll be applying to medical school next year, and recently got accepted into a "certificate" program (basically an abridged post-bacc) at the institution that I work for.

As part of this program, I'll be able to complete 5 classes by the time I apply (mid June of 2018). The classes would consist of upper level bio courses (immuno, physio, micro, etc) and the program can be completed in 4 courses. I want to take advantage of this because I feel like my application could use it (3.6 cGPA 3.4 sGPA w upward trend), but I'm not sure how schools view these types of programs because they would only be a few courses instead of the typical full post-bacc curriculum. I should also note that I was a biology major in undergrad, so I've already taken all of the pre-med requirements.

What will your BCPM GPA be with those five classes calculated in (assuming straight As) in mid-June 2018?

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Many traditional post-baccs won't accept you if you already have a significant number of the classes completed already. So if this is your only option, that won't be looked down on. But as with the other posters, a more comprehensive picture of your application is needed to see if its justified. Also remember that there are MBS programs around the country to also help better your grades and application.

 

[Wrigley_260]

I contacted the program to see how the grades would factor in, and they notified me that the grades would be counted separately from my undergrad GPA so I don't believe it would be affected. As for my trends, I started off very rough my freshman year (3.2), but thankfully got my act together and was able to make dean's list every semester thereafter. The only discrepancy is a B- in Biochem Junior year, which I know could be a huge red flag (another reason this program may be helpful perhaps??).

Part of the reason for this was that I had to help out at our family business since I started as a freshman, and it ramped up junior year after a family illness which unfortunately influenced that Biochem outlier.

Taking my MCAT in January, so no word on that yet. For some other points in my application, I think my ECs are ok (150+ hospital volunteer hours, 400+ non clinical volunteering hours by application time, 50+ hours shadowing, 200+ undergrad research hours (no pubs), 5 executive board positions in undergrad (a mix of pre-health and non pre-health organizations), current full time clinical research coordinator, currently on 2 non profit boards post-grad (1 with an executive position) and creating a third by the end of this year, and a volunteer research intern for 2 different labs post-grad that are not part of my job).

I'm confident I can hit my target score on the MCAT based on how things are going with it right now, so I want to make sure my grades don't hold my application back.

 

[Catalystik]

I contacted the program to see how the grades would factor in, and they notified me that the grades would be counted separately from my undergrad GPA so I don't believe it would be affected.

It's true that postbac GPAs appear on a separate line of the AMCAS application, but unless you are a candidate for a masters degree, they will, on the following line, be calculated in with all your other undergrad college grades to create overall cumulative undergrad GPAs. What adcomms will see looks like this:

 

[Wrigley_260]

It's true that postbac GPAs appear on a separate line of the AMCAS application, but unless you are a candidate for a masters degree, they will, on the following line, be calculated in with all your other undergrad college grades to create overall cumulative undergrad GPAs. What adcomms will see looks like this:
View attachment 220785

Thank you so much for this info! I didn't know this, and it's super helpful.

I calculated it and my cumulative GPA (again, granted I do well in these classes which I dont think should be a problem) wouldn't go up by much (it would raise to a 3.63). However, my uGPA is a 3.597; I'm not sure if it would be rounded to a 3.6 automatically, but if not these extra grades move me to a 3.60-3.79 "tier" which look better stats wise. My sGPA would raise by nearly .1 which is nice as well

Wondering what the take on this is

 

[Catalystik]

Thank you so much for this info! I didn't know this, and it's super helpful.

I calculated it and my cumulative GPA (again, granted I do well in these classes which I dont think should be a problem) wouldn't go up by much (it would raise to a 3.63). However, my uGPA is a 3.597; I'm not sure if it would be rounded to a 3.6 automatically, but if not these extra grades move me to a 3.60-3.79 "tier" which look better stats wise. My sGPA would raise by nearly .1 which is nice as well

Wondering what the take on this is

Applying with this improvement of a 3.63/3.49, a steep upward grade trend over multiple terms, as well as most recently (very readily apparent since the postbac is on its own line), and solid ECs will obviously benefit your application. Hopefully, you'll have supportive LORs. And since your GPAs are still below the average of allopathic acceptees, ideally your MCAT score will be somewhat above to compensate. The degree to which this is important (if at all) depends on your home state, other demographic information, and your target schools.

When you have your MCAT score, you might come back and post in the WAMC forum with all your info if you'd like assistance with your school list.