Post-bacc & applying to med school at same time?

[14kailee]

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Hello! I'm currently finishing up the application and interview process for a few post-baccalaureate programs that would start either Summer or Fall of this year, 2018. However, I want to apply to medical school in June this year also - is it worth it to complete a post-bacc program even though they won't have my grades from the program initially? In other words, is it possible to continually update the medical schools I'm applying for with grades, letters of recommendation, etc. from the post-bacc program while I'm enrolled in it?

To give some background, I graduated from UCLA in 2017 with a major in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, my overall GPA is 3.475, major GPA 3.448. I interned at a hospital, did research and have 2 publications, and am currently working as a healthcare recruiter / administrator. I just don't want to be weeded out from any medical schools initially since they won't have the info from my post-bacc program yet. Any thoughts are appreciated, thanks!!

 

[willow84]

I would do a year of post-bacc classes first to boost your gpa before applying, but that's just my opinion. Sure you can continuously update schools throughout the cycle, but many will be taking a first look at you in July/August and without any new grades in at that point they may table your app. Have you taken the MCAT yet?

 

[14kailee]

I would do a year of post-bacc classes first to boost your gpa before applying, but that's just my opinion. Sure you can continuously update schools throughout the cycle, but many will be taking a first look at you in July/August and without any new grades in at that point they may table your app. Have you taken the MCAT yet?

That's what I was worried about, but I really don't want to wait another year to apply for med school, so if they wouldn't consider my post-bacc progress I might just not go to a program and apply this June regardless. Whoops, forgot to mention I took the MCAT in April 2016 and got a 505, was considering retaking earlier last year but working 45 hours/week and studying for the MCAT was a little much for me! I'm not too particular about which med school I go to, even open to considering DO schools but would much prefer an MD.

 

[willow84]

I say this with the caveat that I'm not an ADCOM, but if I were you and I wanted an MD, I would delay applying a year while I took post-bacc courses. I'd also study and retake the MCAT.