Post Bacc classes GPA

[Deleted member 237747]

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[Xcited392]

I am graduating with GPA 2.6. I intend doing a year or two of Informal Post Bacc taking classes at CC or other 4 year school. Hope to get into traditional master (or SMP if I can afford) after that and hopefully to a Med school after that. Will these Post Bacc classes count towards my UG GPA for application to Master program. Also, If I retake some of the classes how do they factor in GPA for Master program , do they averge grades or take the higher.

First, I wouldn't take post-bacc classes at a CC -- aim for a 4 year school. A traditional master's program WILL NOT help you get into medical school, since it will not change your undergraduate GPA. The post-bacc classes WILL change your UG GPA, given that you do well in them. Retakes will not replace low grades--both grades will be calculated; unless you do DO, which takes grade replacements.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[jslo85]

If I apply to SMP/Master will they do grade replacement(LIke DO) or take average of all grades for repeat classes? That was the question.

Yes, I will like to do SMP, but can not afford so only option is to go for Master, I am sure many have gone this way in the past...

Depends on the program and if I were to generalize, no would be the answer to the large majority of SMPs that will screen GPA. They do value upward trends though.

If you are set on doing a "traditional masters" try and look for Masters of Biomedical Science programs or M.S. programs that are not "true SMPs" in the sense that they require research and will throw in graduate science courses as well as medical courses but they are far more catered towards enhancing the credentials of an applicant aspiring to pursue a professional degree (DMD/DDS or MD).

And disregard what the other poster mentioned about CC. If your whole goal at this point is a step wise process and you're aiming at a Masters after retaking classes, a CC is fine. Adcoms for graduate admissions are generally pretty understanding especially if their program is catered towards remedial students. If your next step was medical school, then that would be different in that a 4 year college is encouraged if that is what they're basing your academic potential off of.

His other point though is valid. There is literally no point in retaking classes unless you're aiming for the osteopathic route. If so then by all means keep on going because you're aiming in the right direction. If it's for allopathic school then you'd be much better off going hitting the upper div sciences that w/e institution you attend offers.

Just take this into consideration. The cost of an SMP ranges from 14-25K depending on where you go. But the time spent there/quality could potentially get you into medical school in potentially half the time if you meandered around otherwise. That "half the time" let's just hypothetically say is a year maybe 2. That's 1-2 years off of your peak income in the future. I won't try and make a gross exaggeration but I don't think 160K is being unrealistic for a conservative estimate of a peak year for a physician. Now is that 14-25K vs. the 160K worth it to you? I don't know I'm not you but I think a lot of people wold agree that taking the shorter path (if you're prepared for it) is better. But if you don't feel you're ready or disciplined enough to handle an SMP after your retakes/informal post-bacc, you should probably follow your instincts. It's something schools will very highly consider but at the same time, perform mediocre and it's an axe through your application.

 

[Deleted member 237747]

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[jslo85]

Thanks. Are there any SMP programs that can lead to Phd or MBA, in case one does not get into Med school? I think SMP has a value for only getting into Med School, else the degree is worthless.

Before I answer this question (which I will to my best knowledge) I'd like to ask that you and anyone else do their own research before bringing up their concerns/thoughts/misgivings on SDN because many of the questions asked on this board could be answered by just googling.

Anyway, in the true sense of an SMP like Gtown that offers only medical school classes, probably not. Ironically the more we at SDN respect an SMP for how many medical school classes it has or how it emulates the experience of an MS1 as closely as possible, it also closes more and more doors for alternate paths. Make no mistake these "SMPs" are probably the best programs to boost your credentials to getting into medical or dental school if that is your goal because they offer this curriculum but in other regards as using your degree from Gtown to earn money, it's pretty much useless as a Masters. If you get an MBS or MS you can work at a university hospital research lab, teach (probably at a CC level or health sciences program), work in the biotech/pharm field, etc. Nothing at all with high #s but you're looking at a job that pays 45-58K average. You can also use it as a transition point to a PhD if you really wish to continue in that path, in most MBS programs they require a year of research in which some programs usually predict you will have a publication or an abstract that you will present.