Post-Bacc or not? Please help.

[rfabello]

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I am currently a Senior at Hunter College and about to graduate this Fall. Assuming that I get between A-'s and A's this Fall semester my science GPA should go up to 3.0. Is it possible to do a Post-Bacc for one semester with the following classes: A&P 2, Cell biology 2, and Organic Chem lab? Will medical or dental schools even look at post-bacc grades more closely than undergraduate grades despite of it only being half a year? Or should I just graduate in the spring and take these classes as an undergrad? The classes are a little bit more expensive as a post-bacc than for an undergrad, but if grad. schools look at post-bacc grades more closely then I would consider doing a 1 semester post-bacc instead.

 

[Law2Doc]

I am currently a Senior at Hunter College and about to graduate this Fall. Assuming that I get between A-'s and A's this Fall semester my science GPA should go up to 3.0. Is it possible to do a Post-Bacc for one semester with the following classes: A&P 2, Cell biology 2, and Organic Chem lab? Will medical or dental schools even look at post-bacc grades more closely than undergraduate grades despite of it only being half a year? Or should I just graduate in the spring and take these classes as an undergrad? The classes are a little bit more expensive as a post-bacc than for an undergrad, but if grad. schools look at post-bacc grades more closely then I would consider doing a 1 semester post-bacc instead.

On AMCAS there is a combined figure for undergrad and postbac courses, which is the one reportedly used by med schools in terms of GPA. And most med schools find it important to have had recent success in the sciences before applying, so upward trends, even in additional post-bac semesters, are always good. But it wouldn't be any better than delaying your graduation and doing it as an undergrad. Do one or the other -- a 3.0 doesn't generally get you into professional school without something additional on top of it -- some grade rehabilitation is going to be required. Good luck.

 

[newyorkisrainin]

Yes, but some formal programs won't accept the premed courses you have already done. Especially, if the school has linkages. I did my postbac in a night school program that accepted all the courses I have completed and helped me complete the courses I need for medical school. Go to the amcas website. They got a search engine there that displays schools that will help you "raise" your science gpa while getting you ready for the mcats and medical school. I say you ask yourself what you really want? I got accepted into Harvard Medical with a undgrad GPA of 3.2 and a postbac gpa of 3.9. If you want to be a doctor, then you should follow your dreams. Life is short. Let go and just do it. Don't question yourself. But also be realistic at the same time, with grades like yours, you must ask youself, what you must do, in order to chase your dreams?

where did you do your post-bac?

 

[gilbertcross]

If you want to go to med school and have a GPA of 3.0, I think the question about post-bacc should be "where?", not "post bacc or not?".

I've known a few people with sub-3.0 undergrad GPAs who went on to Top 10 med schools after a successful stint in a post-bacc pre-med program. I really can't say enough good things about post-bacc programs.

 

[batz321]

First of all most formal post-bac programs won't even look at your application if your undergrad GPA is below 3.0.

very true. so what do you do? just trudge along with an informal post-bacc? how long of a postbacc did you do?

also, the main reason for me not to go to a 4 year school for a post bacc is money - but is it a serious drawback to take these classes at a community college?

 

[Instatewaiter]

Normally I would say that community college credits do not look as strong as those from a 4 year college but it seems traintosave2000 did great after her post-bac at KCKCC. I was advised not to take my prerecs at a CC by my advisors and by the old dean of MCV but I am sure that the quality of CCs varies from state to state. In Va they are not regarded very highly.

SMPs are another option you may want to look into. Usually these are one year graduate level programs where you take the same courses (or very similar) as the medical students do. The major benefit of these, besides showing that you can hang at the med/dental school level, is a much easier 1st year in med/dent school.

 

[batz321]

Normally I would say that community college credits do not look as strong as those from a 4 year college but it seems traintosave2000 did great after her post-bac at KCKCC. I was advised not to take my prerecs at a CC by my advisors and by the old dean of MCV but I am sure that the quality of CCs varies from state to state. In Va they are not regarded very highly.

SMPs are another option you may want to look into. Usually these are one year graduate level programs where you take the same courses (or very similar) as the medical students do. The major benefit of these, besides showing that you can hang at the med/dental school level, is a much easier 1st year in med/dent school.

for someone with a low GPA isn't an SMP not as good as an informal postbacc - for GPA purposes i thought the grad school gpa is entirely separate, but a postbacc is factored into the undergrad grade and can raise it? are you saying that shouldn't be much of a consideration?

also - how does one with a low GPA get into an SMP in the first place?

 

[Maxprime]

for someone with a low GPA isn't an SMP not as good as an informal postbacc - for GPA purposes i thought the grad school gpa is entirely separate, but a postbacc is factored into the undergrad grade and can raise it? are you saying that shouldn't be much of a consideration?

also - how does one with a low GPA get into an SMP in the first place?

Yes, graduate (SMP) GPA is seperate on AMCAS and given a lot less weight than Undgergrad. Post-bacc programs are usually undergraduate level (exceptions exist) - therefore they go into your undergrad GPA. There are 5 breakdowns (time-wise) - 4 years of college then general "post-bacc" for UG breakdown. Your post-bacc factors into UG ONLY.

How low of a GPA are we talking? Sub-3.0 and you're pretty screwed, only because a sub-3.0 with great graduate grades is still probably not getting in to med school anywhere. The rule is get your UG GPA in order, then apply to SMP's. You'll not only get into SMP's, but you'll get into med schools too - UG GPA is the big one.

 

[Maxprime]

Normally I would say that community college credits do not look as strong as those from a 4 year college but it seems traintosave2000 did great after her post-bac at KCKCC. I was advised not to take my prerecs at a CC by my advisors and by the old dean of MCV but I am sure that the quality of CCs varies from state to state. In Va they are not regarded very highly.

SMPs are another option you may want to look into. Usually these are one year graduate level programs where you take the same courses (or very similar) as the medical students do. The major benefit of these, besides showing that you can hang at the med/dental school level, is a much easier 1st year in med/dent school.

Exceptions exist for every rule in the admissions process (I'm sure some a-hole has gotten in w/out pre-reqs somehow, once) - but as a rule, community college should be avoided.