Post bacc that helpful?

[nshalaby]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys I'm just wondering if a post bacc is going to be helpful enough for me. I know that gpa wise it is going to be a tremendous help but I have a 25 mcat and wondering if I should also retake that too. I was scoring in low 30's high 20's on the aamc practice tests so I know I'm capable of achieving that goal, but anxiety of the real thing I think plays a part for me. I will be applying strictly DO and know my mcat is at least 3 points lower than the average for a lot of schools. My ecs are solid as well as volunteer and I have worked at a surgery center for the past 2 years getting a lot of hands on experience. Thanks!

 

[hallowmann]

Hey guys I'm just wondering if a post bacc is going to be helpful enough for me. I know that gpa wise it is going to be a tremendous help but I have a 25 mcat and wondering if I should also retake that too. I was scoring in low 30's high 20's on the aamc practice tests so I know I'm capable of achieving that goal, but anxiety of the real thing I think plays a part for me. I will be applying strictly DO and know my mcat is at least 3 points lower than the average for a lot of schools. My ecs are solid as well as volunteer and I have worked at a surgery center for the past 2 years getting a lot of hands on experience. Thanks!

First off, a post-bac is only really helpful if your GPA is the problem in your app. If you have a GPA ~3.4 you are fine and don't need a post-bac. If the problem is the MCAT, then you need to retake it, but you have to do better.

All that being said, going to a post-bac or even MS with linkage is probably your best bet. LECOM for example has that post-bac that guarantees a DO interview if you get above a 3.0 in the program and a 23 (or 24?) MCAT.

Honestly though, didn't you get a bunch of interviews? Your app may not be competitive, but I don't think its really in need of that much repair. Maybe a couple points on the MCAT would push you over that hump. Did you apply early or late? Hopefully you'll get off of the waitlists you're on, and not have to worry about any of this.

 

[nshalaby]

First off, a post-bac is only really helpful if your GPA is the problem in your app. If you have a GPA ~3.4 you are fine and don't need a post-bac. If the problem is the MCAT, then you need to retake it, but you have to do better.

All that being said, going to a post-bac or even MS with linkage is probably your best bet. LECOM for example has that post-bac that guarantees a DO interview if you get above a 3.0 in the program and a 23 (or 24?) MCAT.

Honestly though, didn't you get a bunch of interviews? Your app may not be competitive, but I don't think its really in need of that much repair. Maybe a couple points on the MCAT would push you over that hump. Did you apply early or late? Hopefully you'll get off of the waitlists you're on, and not have to worry about any of this.

Thanks for the help. But yea I mean I think my gpa is my killer. My sgpa is a 3.13 so that is a killer (didn't caring about school very late). I only got one interview and I guess wasn't too surprised given my numbers. I applied late August early sept so maybe a bit late. I'm sure I can get in if I do a post bacc with the 25 but having that 25 upsets me. I just applied to LECOMs post bacc and should be hearing this week so hopefully that goes well so I have a safety net if I don't get off the wait list this year.

 

[DrMeows]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. I had a cGPA and sGPA of about a 3.1 and a slightly lower MCAT score. I applied and didn't even get an interview. For me, while definitely a financial commitment, I decided to fix both. If you're scoring better on your practice tests, hey just take it again this summer. A 25 definitely isn't terrible but having something a couple points higher really DOES help.

A post bacc is a good idea for a backup but like I said a financial commitment. I'm a huge advocate for them just because I think my linkage masters program did wonders for my application. If LECOM is where you want to go, then do their post bacc if you don't get pulled off the waitlist (in my opinion).

 

[hallowmann]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. I had a cGPA and sGPA of about a 3.1 and a slightly lower MCAT score. I applied and didn't even get an interview. For me, while definitely a financial commitment, I decided to fix both. If you're scoring better on your practice tests, hey just take it again this summer. A 25 definitely isn't terrible but having something a couple points higher really DOES help.

A post bacc is a good idea for a backup but like I said a financial commitment. I'm a huge advocate for them just because I think my linkage masters program did wonders for my application. If LECOM is where you want to go, then do their post bacc if you don't get pulled off the waitlist (in my opinion).

I agree! 👍

 

[nshalaby]

I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. I had a cGPA and sGPA of about a 3.1 and a slightly lower MCAT score. I applied and didn't even get an interview. For me, while definitely a financial commitment, I decided to fix both. If you're scoring better on your practice tests, hey just take it again this summer. A 25 definitely isn't terrible but having something a couple points higher really DOES help.

A post bacc is a good idea for a backup but like I said a financial commitment. I'm a huge advocate for them just because I think my linkage masters program did wonders for my application. If LECOM is where you want to go, then do their post bacc if you don't get pulled off the waitlist (in my opinion).

Hey thanks for the advice! I'm trying to get the courage/motivation to sign up for the mcat again this summer but I'm dreading it in hopes of being taken off the waitlist. Also i dont know what other practice exams i could take as i took all the aamc, kaplan, and princeton 🙁 But I definitely liked LECOM a lot so their post bacc would be ideal. Thanks again guys!