Post-bacc vs. SMP?

[colucho19]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone!

I have been debating and done much research regarding what type of program I should pursue to do some GPA repair. I finished undergrad with a cGPA 3.59/sGPA 3.48, while not absolutely horrible, I have a pretty concerning downward GPA trend for multiple different reasons that I explained in a previous post ( GPA remediation necessary?). I'm a URM, recent immigrant with 3500 clinical hours, ~600 research hours with two posters and 1 mid-author publication and about 100 hours of non-clinical volunteering.

I have done the math and a 1 year DIY post-bacc of about 36 science credits could raise my GPA up to a cGPA 3.67/sGPA 3.62. Is that difference significant enough that I should just do the post-bacc? (considering I would also end with an upward GPA trend) or would an SMP be more helpful in my case?

 

[FutureSurgical]

To be honest we cant help too much without an MCAT score. I'd say you don't need to do an SMP for GPA alone. Though if you're willing to spend the money, I'd get MCAT books, a schedule, AAMC MCAT prep material, and some 3rd party test prep material (UWorld, NS, TPR).

What is your status as an immigrant if you don't mind me asking? If you're part of DACA, it can affect your ability to apply to some schools.

 

[colucho19]

To be honest we cant help too much without an MCAT score. I'd say you don't need to do an SMP for GPA alone. Though if you're willing to spend the money, I'd get MCAT books, a schedule, AAMC MCAT prep material, and some 3rd party test prep material (UWorld, NS, TPR).

What is your status as an immigrant if you don't mind me asking? If you're part of DACA, it can affect your ability to apply to some schools.

I'm studying for the MCAT right now using Kaplan, Khan Academy, AAMC prep materials and UWorld. I scored 518 and 519 on my last two FLs for whatever that's worth haha
I have a pending asylum application. I already contacted 80+ schools and compiled a list of the ones that would let me apply regardless of my status.

 

[candbgirl]

What URM group do you belong to. I tend to agree with @FutureSurgical . You might not need either. But without a MCAT score we really can’t tell. Have you taken the MCAT?

 

[colucho19]

What URM group do you belong to. I tend to agree with @FutureSurgical . You might not need either. But without a MCAT score we really can’t tell. Have you taken the MCAT?

I'm hispanic, will be taking the MCAT in a couple months.

 

[colucho19]

.

 

[darkeon]

not all hispanic is URM. typically, it's Mexican and Puerto Rican that are part of the URM group

 

[Goro]

Hello everyone!

I have been debating and done much research regarding what type of program I should pursue to do some GPA repair. I finished undergrad with a cGPA 3.59/sGPA 3.48, while not absolutely horrible, I have a pretty concerning downward GPA trend for multiple different reasons that I explained in a previous post ( GPA remediation necessary?). I'm a URM, recent immigrant with 3500 clinical hours, ~600 research hours with two posters and 1 mid-author publication and about 100 hours of non-clinical volunteering.

I have done the math and a 1 year DIY post-bacc of about 36 science credits could raise my GPA up to a cGPA 3.67/sGPA 3.62. Is that difference significant enough that I should just do the post-bacc? (considering I would also end with an upward GPA trend) or would an SMP be more helpful in my case?

Do the post-bac

 

[colucho19]

Do the post-bac

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[CosmeticLeFort3]

Good luck on MCAT!