PreReqs & Qualifying for SMP/Postbaccs

[ERP123YouAndMe]

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I am a Junior, majoring in music therapy and minoring in psychology. I am scheduled to graduate in 2 years + a 6 month internship. I love my program, but with all my classes and commitments, I can fit in maybe Calculus in the evening within that time frame.

Does it make a difference if I take my prereqs before/after I graduate?

Could I be a candidate for an SMP/Postbacc? I understand that many of them prefer students who have not taken the premed courses before. I am not sure because I have taken them, but have not completed any.

I had a bad couple of years when I first started college and I am paying for it, so I have a bit of GPA repair to do. I attempted the first semester of every prereq, but failed the classes. I currently have a 3.0 and can realistically manage a 3.2-3.3 by the time I graduate. Even though my GPA is low, I have a good track record for the past 3 years or so.

I would really like to do an SMP in the future, but am not sure if my best option would be to retake some of the prereqs to improve my GPAs or if I should hold off because I might be eligible for some programs that require that applicants have not taken the prereqs. I am also considering taking some introductory science courses to ensure I am fully prepared when I do take the core classes, since it will also improve my GPA.

 

[Etyan]

There are special postbaccs for career changers that need to take all the premed reqs. However, they usually look for applicants with good stats. Yours are a bit on the low end.

A 3.3 GPA is tough, but not impossible, for DO. The MCAT will play a big role, both for your prospects at DO and for a good SMP. The SMP route is only recommended if you're aiming for MD, since you don't have many science classes and grade replacement can easily boost up your stats for DO.

I am a Junior, majoring in music therapy and minoring in psychology. I am scheduled to graduate in 2 years + a 6 month internship. I love my program, but with all my classes and commitments, I can fit in maybe Calculus in the evening within that time frame.

Does it make a difference if I take my prereqs before/after I graduate?

Could I be a candidate for an SMP/Postbacc? I understand that many of them prefer students who have not taken the premed courses before. I am not sure because I have taken them, but have not completed any.

I had a bad couple of years when I first started college and I am paying for it, so I have a bit of GPA repair to do. I attempted the first semester of every prereq, but failed the classes. I currently have a 3.0 and can realistically manage a 3.2-3.3 by the time I graduate. Even though my GPA is low, I have a good track record for the past 3 years or so.

I would really like to do an SMP in the future, but am not sure if my best option would be to retake some of the prereqs to improve my GPAs or if I should hold off because I might be eligible for some programs that require that applicants have not taken the prereqs. I am also considering taking some introductory science courses to ensure I am fully prepared when I do take the core classes, since it will also improve my GPA.

 

[ERP123YouAndMe]

I am still aiming for MD, but I am not discounting DO. My hope is that SMP/Postbac would help counteract my GPA, W's, being put on probation. I am also good at preparing for tests, so I am hoping I can pull off good MCAT scores.

The SMP programs I have looked at tend to have an average of between 3.0-3.5 for their admits. I am still doing research, but the acceptance rates to a med school seem hopeful for people who do well (as I am prepared at this point in my life to do).

My major gives me about 30 clinical hours per semester, I am doing undergraduate research in a couple labs at my school. I have a high chance of having my name on a publication by the time I graduate. I am working on fitting in shadowing hours at a hospital, but I am also aiming to do my internship in a hospital setting.

Besides GPA repair, I am not sure how to deal with my situation in the best way. I love my major and need to complete it, but I also have to follow-through on being an MD/DO.