Postbac gpa

[polyploidy516]

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hi all,

so I decided to do a postbac after undergrad to raise my undergraduate gpa. I took roughly 80 credits and received a 3.68 gpa bringing my overall gpa to a 3.45.

As I am seeing many people getting 3.9+s in postbac, I realized that taking more classes ended up lowering my overall postbac gpa ( I took roughly 17-22 credits per semester in the postbac). Had I taken less overall postbac credits, I feel that I would get around a 3.9 ( I had a 3.8 gpa earlier on but it dropped; I got A-s and As in most of my sciences but got a few B's)

Is a 3.68 considered a low postbac gpa? I am aiming for some top tier schools ( applying as disadvantaged and have high mcat (523+). or should I take a few more postbac classes to raise my postbac gpa to a 3.8+ or am I just being paranoid?

your thoughts would be appreciated.

@gyngyn @Catalystik @Goro

 

[Goro]

It won't get you into Columbia, but I think U Miami, Drexel, NYMC and Albany would bite, as would your state school, and a few others. Plus any DO school.

hi all,

so I decided to do a postbac after undergrad to raise my undergraduate gpa. I took roughly 80 credits and received a 3.68 gpa bringing my overall gpa to a 3.45.

As I am seeing many people getting 3.9+s in postbac, I realized that taking more classes ended up lowering my overall postbac gpa ( I took roughly 17-22 credits per semester in the postbac). Had I taken less overall postbac credits, I feel that I would get around a 3.9 ( I had a 3.8 gpa earlier on but it dropped; I got A-s and As in most of my sciences but got a few B's)

Is a 3.68 considered a low postbac gpa? I am aiming for some top tier schools ( applying as disadvantaged and have high mcat (523+). or should I take a few more postbac classes to raise my postbac gpa to a 3.8+ or am I just being paranoid?

your thoughts would be appreciated.

@gyngyn @Catalystik @Goro

 

[polyploidy516]

It won't get you into Columbia, but I think U Miami, Drexel, NYMC and Albany would bite, as would your state school, and a few others. Plus any DO school.

Goro, I appreciate your response. could you please let me know why a 3.68 postbac would be low for Columbia despite a 523+ mcat? is it the postbac or the low overall undergraduate gpa?

Thank you for the list!

 

[779163]

Goro, I appreciate your response. could you please let me know why a 3.68 postbac would be low for Columbia despite a 523+ mcat? is it the postbac or the low overall undergraduate gpa?

Thank you for the list!

Anecdote: I had a 3.65 overall with 4.0 for the last 2 years of my undergrad with a 523 MCAT, and I heard nothing from Columbia

 

[polyploidy516]

Anecdote: I had a 3.65 overall with 4.0 for the last 2 years of my undergrad with a 523 MCAT, and I heard nothing from Columbia

blah!

so I guess its not my grades persay but moreso the competitive nature of Columbia?

regardless, ill be grateful to just get into medical school. Columbia would be a dream though

 

[779163]

WashU loves high MCAT though!

 

[Goro]

A 523 MCAT is nothing to sneeze at!!!!

Goro, I appreciate your response. could you please let me know why a 3.68 postbac would be low for Columbia despite a 523+ mcat? is it the postbac or the low overall undergraduate gpa?

Thank you for the list!

 

[polyploidy516]

A 523 MCAT is nothing to sneeze at!!!!

Thank you! Do you think that MCAT coupled with the 3.68 postbac would give me a good shot at Columbia and ucsf?

I'm specifically asking because I saw those schools in your " schools that favor reinvention" list.

Does a 3.68 equal reinvention?

 

[CLB_MD]

Apply. Your MCAT is probably above the 90th percentile for Columbia applicants, and your GPA has an upward trend. Take some more post bacc classes to get the GPA as high as you can before submitting your AMCAS primary. I believe in you, and good luck.

 

[Goro]

Pretty much. I see people tending to have closer to 3.9, but I think it's worth the shot.

A trend I have also noticed is that people who get into such top schools have tons of service hours (like several hundred), specifically to those in need.

Thank you! Do you think that MCAT coupled with the 3.68 postbac would give me a good shot at Columbia and ucsf?

I'm specifically asking because I saw those schools in your " schools that favor reinvention" list.

Does a 3.68 equal reinvention?

 

[polyploidy516]

Pretty much. I see people tending to have closer to 3.9, but I think it's worth the shot.

A trend I have also noticed is that people who get into such top schools have tons of service hours (like several hundred), specifically to those in need.

Thank you for your response Goro! I received A's in the important science classes (Biochem, BIophysics, Genetics, etc). The mistake I made was taking 20+ credits per semester in addition to working full time. I feel if I had taken less credits, I would've easily gotten 3.9+

I have roughly 1000 hours of service with the underserved in varying capacities; as I'm applying disadvantaged, I'm going to talk about how my background coupled with these experiences has provided me a strong desire to serve the underserved.

How would you rate this? My recs should be strong/ very strong as well with some being from some very prominent faculty. I plan on taking a few more credits as well to clear the 3.75 range.

Is this good?

 

[Goro]

I think that you'll be a rock star. Put Vandy, Pitt, Mayo, Tulane, BU and your state school on the list as well.

Thank you for your response Goro! I received A's in the important science classes (Biochem, BIophysics, Genetics, etc). The mistake I made was taking 20+ credits per semester in addition to working full time. I feel if I had taken less credits, I would've easily gotten 3.9+

I have roughly 1000 hours of service with the underserved in varying capacities; as I'm applying disadvantaged, I'm going to talk about how my background coupled with these experiences has provided me a strong desire to serve the underserved.

How would you rate this? My recs should be strong/ very strong as well with some being from some very prominent faculty. I plan on taking a few more credits as well to clear the 3.75 range.

Is this good?