Post-bacc or 5th year in college? How are my chances??

[deleted212936]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a 3.48 cGPA and 3.35 sGPA.
Do I have a chance this round??

If chances are slim, then raising GPA will be my goal. Should I go for a 1-year Post-bacc or stay another year in undergrad? I know that if I choose 5th year in undergrad, I won't be taking as many Science classes as I would in Post-bacc because I already took a handful of them during the last 4 years. Are Adcoms looking for A's in upper Science courses, or whatever that raises my GPA will do? Please advise me on what to do!!!

 

[Mobius1985]

AMCAS accumulated stats over the last three years tell us that of those applying with your numbers, 63.2% received an acceptance, but that includes folks with significant moderating factors. With an MCAT in the 27-29 range, your chance would have been 45.9%, so a more conservative guess at your chances in the absence of moderating factors might be more like 50%. I can't say your chances are slim, but you are not sure to get in somewhere. If you were to apply to DO schools as well as MD schools, your odds would rise greatly.

If you want to raise your GPA, for you, taking mainly science classes will be important as your BCPM GPA is also low. Also a recent string of As in upper-level science classes will help assure adcomms you can succeed in their science-heavy curriculum. It sounds like it's not a good option for you to delay graduation for a year and take courses at your current school. You could do an informal post-bac at a cheap state school with more available advanced science classes (if you can get into the classes as a non-degree seeking student). Or you could do an expensive, formal post-bac program, ideally with linkage into a med school. Other advantages of a formal program would be to help you beef up your extracurriculars if you are lacking in any area and the availablity of good career counseling for the application process.

 

[Bacchus]

I usually don't comment on these, but there is a chance for you. However, if you look at my MDApps, you'll see that my GPA was a bit higher than yours with 1 point lower on the MCAT and I got nowhere in the MD application cycle. That said, you might want to do what a lot of candidates like us do, apply to both MD and DO.

 

[deleted212936]

Thanks for your inputs.

Given that Med schools focus more on undergrad GPA, historically, what have been the outcomes of people who reapply after Post-bacc?

 

[Mobius1985]

Formal programs often cite their statistics, you might check out SDN's Post-Bac forum and see if you can find what you want at: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=71 .

If you do your own program, success will depend on the courses you took and the cummulative GPA with uGPA and Post-bac grades calculated together.

 

[deleted212936]

How are post-bacc GPA calculated?

 

[n618ft]

How are post-bacc GPA calculated?

All the grades you've had after your degree...

 

[deleted212936]

I appreciate your help.

I completed all Premed courses and got
C in freshman Bio (11x),
A- in Bio 20x
B+ in Physics I,
A- in Physics II
B in Orgo
A's in Calc
A's in Anatomy&Physio

As a back-up plan, I wonder if it's better to RETAKE Premed courses OR do an upper-science Post-bacc program to boost my GPA ?

 

[Stratego]

IMO, taking upper-level science courses and getting As would serve you better. I'd only retake the C in Bio if it covered material important to know for the MCAT. You definitely should not retake any of the others.

 

[ucsd2010]

Hi, I am in a similar situation and am about to start my 4th year undergrad. I estimate that I will graduate majoring in Biology with both my science and cumulative gpa around 3.4 because I had a rough first year. I haven't taken the MCAT yet but will soon. I don't know if should double major in healthcare issues and get a BA during my 5th year or do a masters/postbac/SMP program. The BA will increase my undergrad gpa but it will be mostly social sciences classes whereas a masters program will prove that I am strong enough in the sciences to do well in medical school. However, if I were to do double major, I would have the opportunity to do a semester abroad which I would love to have the opportunity to do since I won't be able to once I graduate and I am simply interested in social issues related to medicine. But of course my priority is to become competitive enough to get into medical school. What do you recommend? Thanks for your help!

 

[Skan]

Whats the difference between a formal, and informal Post-bacc?

Would a 5th year be the same as an informal post bacc?