Post-Bacc Programs for Those with Low GPA

[YeEhAw]

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My apologies if this is repeat thread, I skimmed over several pages of old ones to no avail.

I am curious if there are Post-Bacc programs, which are more favorable for those with a low GPA (ex. 2.4 - 2.75 range) and an otherwise decent MCAT score (ex. 34-38 range). Basically for people trying to make up for a rather poor undergraduate record. This is (obviously) my current situation. I still have a year left in undergrad and anticipate having an upward trend relative to the rest of my undergrad record, but not enough for it to off-set my poor performance for the vast majority of my past years. So I suppose Post-Bacc would be a necessary step for me, but I am unsure of somewhat respectable programs, which would be willing to admit someone with such a poor academic record in the past. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[AlphaKi]

You might want to look at Ohio State or Wake Forest ( well if you're a minority at least ) because they cater to people who had either a gpa and or an mcat score that was / were below competitive standards.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

My apologies if this is repeat thread, I skimmed over several pages of old ones to no avail.

I am curious if there are Post-Bacc programs, which are more favorable for those with a low GPA (ex. 2.4 - 2.75 range) and an otherwise decent MCAT score (ex. 34-38 range). Basically for people trying to make up for a rather poor undergraduate record. This is (obviously) my current situation. I still have a year left in undergrad and anticipate having an upward trend relative to the rest of my undergrad record, but not enough for it to off-set my poor performance for the vast majority of my past years. So I suppose Post-Bacc would be a necessary step for me, but I am unsure of somewhat respectable programs, which would be willing to admit someone with such a poor academic record in the past. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

*34-38 range on the MCAT is way better than "decent"
*Post-bacc undergraduate programs are the way to go to raise your undergrad gpa and undergrad bcpm, but if you're sitting on something like a 2.4, it's gonna take a heck of a lot of credits to pull that up to the 3.0 range.
*If you're ready for it, you could consider a special master's program. You're still gonna have your not so pretty undergrad gpa, but if you kick butt in a masters with med school students that should show some adcoms that you're ready for med school. If you hit that 34-38 on your MCAT I would think that you'd have a shot at some of the SMP programs. My brother didn't have a great gpa either, but he had a decent mcat (less decent than the range you posted) and was accepted to the G-Town and Boston SMP programs. Good luck to ya

 

[YeEhAw]

Thanks for the info. I have considered SMPs, but I am not too sure how I would fair in the application process given my low GPA. In fact, I'd go as far to say that I would prefer some sort of SMP over Post-Bacc. So if you have any info on those that would be great. As for being a minority, I don't think I can take advantage of that status being of Asian descent even if I am only 'half' Asian. Thanks.

 

[medic170]

Duquesne has an "enhancement" track, and while they have competitive admissions, I think your MCAT score speaks for your abilities and you'd have a shot. I almost enrolled there myself.

 

[denali]

My apologies if this is repeat thread, I skimmed over several pages of old ones to no avail.

I am curious if there are Post-Bacc programs, which are more favorable for those with a low GPA (ex. 2.4 - 2.75 range) and an otherwise decent MCAT score (ex. 34-38 range). Basically for people trying to make up for a rather poor undergraduate record. This is (obviously) my current situation. I still have a year left in undergrad and anticipate having an upward trend relative to the rest of my undergrad record, but not enough for it to off-set my poor performance for the vast majority of my past years. So I suppose Post-Bacc would be a necessary step for me, but I am unsure of somewhat respectable programs, which would be willing to admit someone with such a poor academic record in the past. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Taking undergrad classes in excess of premed requirements won't help you. Mathematically speaking, you will not be able to bring your ugrad GPA up enough. The route I took (and one that was very favorably commented on by two med school interviewers) was to complete my MMS at Drexel, work hard to get a high grad gpa, and convince med school interviewers that my performance in med school classes had more predictive value than my ugrad GPA. Do an SMP; be confident in your abilities and sell your grad school performance along with your MCAT scores during your interviews. Good luck!

 

[CaptainZero]

Check out the Drexel IMS thread...

 

[YeEhAw]

Thanks for info all. The more I think about it, I will end up doing some sort of SMP as it seems more beneficial in the end. Thanks again.