Post Bacc Student Question

[premed1983]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

Let's say you are a newly post bacc student who has a degree in fine arts, and struggled the first semester in the program in their first Biology and Chemistry due to adjusting.

Will this one semester have an effect on your candidacy to medical school if you didn't do as well as you have liked?

It is understood that you need a great GPA and stellar MCAT score.


Feedback is encouraged.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Hi,

Let's say you are a newly post bacc student who has a degree in fine arts, and struggled the first semester in the program in their first Biology and Chemistry due to adjusting.

Will this one semester have an effect on your candidacy to medical school if you didn't do as well as you have liked?

It is understood that you need a great GPA and stellar MCAT score.


Feedback is encouraged.

Yes, it likely will. Though, of course, it depends how much struggling we're talking about. One B won't kill your chances, but Cs and Ds might very well do so.

The best way to compensate for poor grades is to get an astronomical MCAT score. When you're above 38 or so, committees become a lot more lenient with your GPA.

 

[Jlaw]

Yes it definitely depends on your definition of stuggling. If you get a B instead of the A you wanted it isn't the end of the world. If you are talking C's or D's then it's a problem. Some post bacc programs require you to maintain a GPA above a certain level and often it is something like 3.0-3.4. Some school require everyone to have a C or better or else they are forced to withdraw from the class. You should make sure you aren't falling below those standards and if you are drop the courses, regroup and take another shot next semester.

The most important thing is to realize that the other classes you take (BIO2, Chem2, Orgo, etc) are all going to build on the knowledge you are getting from Bio1 and Chem1 so it is very important that you have a good understanding of the material or else you are going to have a very tough time as the classes get harder.

Good luck!