Pre Req classes Vs. Post Bac Vs. Second Degree

[Aeroshady]

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Hello everyone!

This is my first post here on SDN; I was made aware of this website a few days ago. I have been back-reading to try and find the advice I am looking for, but I couldn't find a clear answer.

Let me first begin by explaining my situation. I am a 26 and graduated with a BS (3.38 GPA) from my four year school as a communications major in 2009. Before that I went to CC and did not do so well (cGPA around 2.6).

While at my four year school, I became an EMT in NJ and began to gain more and more interest in the medical field. I took a cancer therapy class in my senior year that involved spending time at Mass General. Ever since then, I knew that I wanted to follow a career in medicine.

After graduation, I began to work as a per diem EMT in a city setting and continued to volunteer at my local squad. I worked there for 9 months. For the last year and a half, I have been working as an ER tech in a local hospital.

I know for sure from these work experiences that I want to be a doctor but was unsure on the path to take. Unfortunately, I have had some missteps because of this.

First, I tried to take to lower-level maths (Intermediate Algebra and College Algebra) at the same time. These classes also started the same week as my ER tech job did (at the time I was a full-time employee). The results were a D in Intermediate Algebra and C in College Algebra.

Second, I was advised that I could take some of my pre-reqs at CC before switching to a Post-Bac program, which for many of these programs turned out not to be the case. So I took Gen-Bio's at CC and got B's in both (got high grades on all tests except for one each semester that kept me from A's).

I also have a W in Chem 1 now because I dropped it when I was told not to take any more pre-reqs at a CC.

My overall GPA is around a 3.0 after all of this. So my question is: would a Post-Bac program (one that I can still get into having had a year of Bio already), a second degree in Bio or Psychology at a four year school, or just taking the rest of my pre-reqs as a non-degree seeking student at a four year institution be the best or most advisable path for someone in my situation?

I already have 2 doctors, and 2 PA's from my hospital that said they would give me LOR's. Also, I have 5 years of volunteering as an EMT + the year and a half emergency room experience as a tech.

Sorry for posting such a long thread. Thank you so much for any advice given!

 

[loh34]

That seems like it's up to you.

I think a formal Post Bacc program is always the way to go when it's a possibility. But there's nothing wrong with just taking the prereqs ala carte if money is an issue.

But you'll definitely want to get that GPA up as high as possible. 👍

 

[Morsetlis]

Your EC's are fine.

You are in for a rude awakening if/when you get to med school if you keep up that trend of not caring about your classes.

I would apply to post-bacc or SMP programs with linkages. At this point, generic ones are unlikely to be too helpful to you, because you need serious help. AND, your CC GPA and BS GPA, if the classes are NOT shared, WILL both be considered by the AMCAS.

You still don't have an MCAT score.

 

[theseeker4]

That seems like it's up to you.

I think a formal Post Bacc program is always the way to go when it's a possibility. But there's nothing wrong with just taking the prereqs ala carte if money is an issue.

But you'll definitely want to get that GPA up as high as possible. 👍

This is true, with the added caveat that you need to investigate whether your school has a pre-med committee that provides LOR's. If you do your pre-reqs at a school with a pre-med committee and you don't get a LOR from them, it is a big red flag to med schools, and you are already starting with a below average GPA. If there is no pre-med committee at the university you take the classes at, go for it free-style. If there is a pre-med committee, investigate further because they may refuse to write a LOR unless you enroll in a formal post-bac program.

That and make sure you get nothing lower than an A in all of the pre-reqs (or as close to that as possible). You need to boost your GPA and prove to medical schools that you can handle a heavy science course-load for them to want to accept you. Good luck!

 

[Aeroshady]

Thank you everyone for the input so far. Just wanted to also ask if re-taking the General Bio's is a good idea?

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

Retaking the general bios would probably be wise. The fact that you took those prereqs at a CC might or might not be a problem, but getting anything but the top grades in them certainly will be. You need to prove that you can take difficult classes and still do well at them. Why would a medical school accept an applicant that got Bs from a CC when they can have their choice of applicants with better grades from a 4-year college? Take the classes again, and this time don't leave the library until you've studied enough to get an A on each and every test.

 

[Aeroshady]

Thank you for the advice on the bio's. Re-taking them is what I want to do, just as long as it does not put me further out of competition with admissions down the road.

Anyother advice would be much appreciated!

 

[LUCPM]

Thank you for the advice on the bio's. Re-taking them is what I want to do, just as long as it does not put me further out of competition with admissions down the road.

Anyother advice would be much appreciated!

I also see you didn't do so hot for algebra classes, and you might want to consider re-taking them for a couple of reasons:

1. These trivial classes are important for your future classes like gen chem and physics - I have seen many students struggling in these classes not because they didn't understand the concepts but becuase they lack simple algebra, problem-solving skills.
2. If you happen to apply for DO schools, it will help you boost your GPA (grade replacement).

At any rate, I think you are in the right direction for your ECs and clinical experience. Just my .02 cents.

Best of luck!

 

[Aeroshady]

Sorry to bump this thread for two questions. I wondering if there are any negatives to re-taking College Algebra and the General Bio's?

Also, how does the DO grade replacement work?