Question about Grade Repair

[Albob Boots]

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Hi guys,

I am a new user to the forum. I am a recent graduate of Clemson University May 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Pre-med. I finished with a GPA of 2.74 by not being focused or motivated but rather too busy with my social life. I've made many lifestyle changes recently and am ready to shoot for my goal of becoming a DO.

I have been admitted to LSU this coming Spring 2014, where I will retake all of my Science classes I received C's in, which will be about 24 credit hours. After this grade repair, my GPA should be at a competitive level for DO school considering the grade replacement method that DO schools use.

My question is this: Would a post-bac program have been a better option for me to improve my GPA? I chose LSU because I will be living in Baton Rouge and also working as a scribe at the Lady of the Lake Hospital, and it seemed like a solid option. Also, is there any other recommendations or advice that will help me in my coming adventure?

Thanks a lot, and I wish everyone a happy New Year and hope to get to know some of you!

 

[Elevencents]

Do you mean a formal post bac? Since you're going to LSU to do retakes that is technically a post bac since you already received a degree. You're doing the right thing by doing grade replacement. You also need to be concurrently shadowing and volunteering while in school.

 

[Albob Boots]

Yes; I was talking about the formal post bac programs which take place in medical schools. However, I do feel comfortable with my choice in LSU now after doing some research and reading your reply.

Elevencents, do you mean shadowing a DO in a clinical setting and volunteering in a clinical setting, in addition to functioning as a scribe? Also, I may have a research opportunity through LSU this coming fall 2014. I want to make sure that I am performing the best academically this year at LSU, and taking the necessary extracurriculars and getting much needed clinical experience, but also not overloading myself all at once.

My plan is to take the mcat early 2015, then apply to DO schools in June 2015. Do you think I would have enough time to get all of my experience this year in order to do this?

Thanks for your reply

 

[Mad Jack]

Many formal post bacs are a waste of money. They give you the same courses a premed takes, but at higher cost, and maybe throw in an MCAT prep course to boot. Unless you were looking at one that has a matriculation agreement with a medical school, just do a DIY post bac. You definitely have enough time if you start courses in the spring, but you'll be hard-pressed if you don't start till next fall. Oh, and one thing to be wary of if you are taking the MCAT in 2015 is that you'll be on the new format. Prepare accordingly.

http://www.princetonreview.com/mcat...?gclid=CPO6-J3P3bsCFSho7Aod4QoAcg#now-vs-2015

 

[Goro]

Whether it's a formal post-bac program, a DIY post-bac, or a SMP, all are equally good in showing us you have the promise of mastering a medical school curriculum by your doing well.

The only benefits to the formal programs is that they sometime shave linkages to particular medical schools. For example, students in our own MS program are guaranteed an II. other school may have guaranteed acceptances provided the student perform a above a set GPA and/or MCAT score.

Hi guys,

I am a new user to the forum. I am a recent graduate of Clemson University May 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Pre-med. I finished with a GPA of 2.74 by not being focused or motivated but rather too busy with my social life. I've made many lifestyle changes recently and am ready to shoot for my goal of becoming a DO.

I have been admitted to LSU this coming Spring 2014, where I will retake all of my Science classes I received C's in, which will be about 24 credit hours. After this grade repair, my GPA should be at a competitive level for DO school considering the grade replacement method that DO schools use.

My question is this: Would a post-bac program have been a better option for me to improve my GPA? I chose LSU because I will be living in Baton Rouge and also working as a scribe at the Lady of the Lake Hospital, and it seemed like a solid option. Also, is there any other recommendations or advice that will help me in my coming adventure?

Thanks a lot, and I wish everyone a happy New Year and hope to get to know some of you!

 

[Albob Boots]

Thank you all for your replies,

Goro - Would it be wise or necessary for me to take some higher level science courses along with the retakes? The advantage is that it may buff up my medical school application, but the disadvantage would be extra course load. Also, would you advise that i involve myself in more than being a scribe, such as participating in research or community service?

Thank you