Second Bachelors Degree

[deleted92121]

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Per AACOMAS, my cGPA is 2.6 and my sGPA is 3.0. This is from my first BS in Natural Sciences and with a number of retakes.

I will be attending the post-bac program at Dominican University in Fall of 2013. It is a post-bac resulting in a Bachelor in Medical Science degree upon completion of roughly 35 credits.

My question is how will osteopathic programs approach this type of program. Even if I made a 4.0 in the program, my overall GPA would end up around 2.8. Will osteopathic schools weigh this second BS/post-bac program heavier than my first one?

 

[Ochemlover45]

I think it's extremely important to get that cgpa above 3.0. No matter how well you do you need to get past the computer screening portion of the process. Once you get past that your application will probably be viewed favorably.

 

[deleted92121]

Ochemlover,

That makes a lot of sense. What are your thoughts on applying to programs with sub 3.0 cutoffs like LECOM should I do well in the post-bac?

 

[TriagePreMed]

Ochemlover,

That makes a lot of sense. What are your thoughts on applying to programs with sub 3.0 cutoffs like LECOM should I do well in the post-bac?

I would do this because if they accept you to the post-bacc and you do well, they will let you into the medical school. I strongly encourage retakes to get at a 3.0 cumulative / 3.2 science minimum before applying.

 

[deleted92121]

I would do this because if they accept you to the post-bacc and you do well, they will let you into the medical school. I strongly encourage retakes to get at a 3.0 cumulative / 3.2 science minimum before applying.

Considering I will be starting a post-bac this Fall at DU, will it be necessary to complete an SMP or other post-bac afterwards? By that I mean will I need to do LECOM's post-bac or something similar in addition to the one I am starting in the Fall?

 

[TriagePreMed]

Considering I will be starting a post-bac this Fall at DU, will it be necessary to complete an SMP or other post-bac afterwards? By that I mean will I need to do LECOM's post-bac or something similar in addition to the one I am starting in the Fall?

Maybe. Depends on the GPA.

 

[deleted92121]

Maybe. Depends on the GPA.

I think that def makes a lot of sense. The program I am attending is very structured and provides a lot of opportunity to redeem myself from previous academic issues. Should I maintain a B+/A- average, I can count on an overall GPA around 2.8

I know there are a few schools out there who would not automatically screen out a 2.8 like LECOM and a few others. That could benefit me if they took a hard look at my post-bac/second BS and see I did well.

Which I should mention, I am going into this with no job and nothing tying me down like I have now. I'm extremely confident and ready.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I think that def makes a lot of sense. The program I am attending is very structured and provides a lot of opportunity to redeem myself from previous academic issues. Should I maintain a B+/A- average, I can count on an overall GPA around 2.8

I know there are a few schools out there who would not automatically screen out a 2.8 like LECOM and a few others. That could benefit me if they took a hard look at my post-bac/second BS and see I did well.

Which I should mention, I am going into this with no job and nothing tying me down like I have now. I'm extremely confident and ready.

I don't feel it's worth it to apply to any program with under a 3.0, but go ahead if you think you stand a chance.

 

[hallowmann]

Ochemlover,

That makes a lot of sense. What are your thoughts on applying to programs with sub 3.0 cutoffs like LECOM should I do well in the post-bac?

Where did you find that DU post-bac? Does it have some sort of linkage program? If you want to go to LECOM, why not apply for the LECOM post-bac? Its relatively cheap, and if you do well, it guarantees an interview. Plus, you won't be far from Pittsburgh.

How expensive is the DU program? Could you not do grade replacement at some CC or small university and bring up your cGPA? LECOM's GPA cutoff is 2.7, so it shouldn't be that far off. You might be able to significantly improve your GPA more with a full-time year of retakes than with a post-bac, but honestly all that talk is useless without any MCAT info.

I think it's extremely important to get that cgpa above 3.0. No matter how well you do you need to get past the computer screening portion of the process. Once you get past that your application will probably be viewed favorably.

This is really the best advice. Post-bac or not, you just need to focus on getting your cGPA above a 3.0. Half of the schools have cutoffs, and even though LECOM is at 2.7, a 3.0 would give you a much better chance of actually getting in (depending on your MCAT score of course).

To give you an idea of how big the screen is, basically 12 schools I applied to screened me out pre-secondary, so getting above a 3.0 is important.

I don't feel it's worth it to apply to any program with under a 3.0, but go ahead if you think you stand a chance.

It really depends on MCAT, trends, and ECs. I've gotten a few ii's with a <3.0 GPA, but a LOT of schools screened me out pre-secondary. I'm still retaking courses, and if I don't get in this cycle, I'll be reapplying hopefully with a >3.0 GPA.

 

[deleted92121]

I found out about the DU post-bac through SDN. I needed a program that would take a chance on a student like me with lower stats. A good number of SMP are out of my reach. LECOM is borderline.

There is something to be said about your environment. I'm not quite thrilled where I am at with my job and living at home. I moved back last year to finish and pay for school. But it's not helping my morale. DU is a bit expensive but it's 12-18 months and I really, really could use a change of scenery. And while they don't have any direct linkages, they are successful in getting students into medical school. Their rates are around 85%. They do have some students who do an SMP but they are not the majority.

In reality, this program will really bolster my academic record if I do well. I still may have to do an SMP but I don't know. What I do know is what will be best for me. A fresh start somewhere far away. It's my fault I'm in the current position. And I've got to remedy it. I'm just trying to give myself the best chance to succeed.

 

[hallowmann]

I found out about the DU post-bac through SDN. I needed a program that would take a chance on a student like me with lower stats. A good number of SMP are out of my reach. LECOM is borderline.

There is something to be said about your environment. I'm not quite thrilled where I am at with my job and living at home. I moved back last year to finish and pay for school. But it's not helping my morale. DU is a bit expensive but it's 12-18 months and I really, really could use a change of scenery. And while they don't have any direct linkages, they are successful in getting students into medical school. Their rates are around 85%. They do have some students who do an SMP but they are not the majority.

In reality, this program will really bolster my academic record if I do well. I still may have to do an SMP but I don't know. What I do know is what will be best for me. A fresh start somewhere far away. It's my fault I'm in the current position. And I've got to remedy it. I'm just trying to give myself the best chance to succeed.

That's completely understandable, I just think you might be better off doing an informal post-bac (wherever you want), so that you can take full advantage of grade replacement and increase that cGPA above the cutoffs. I'm just not sure a 12-18 month formal post-bac that can only increase your GPA by .2 is worth it, but if you think it'll give you more peace of mind, than you gotta do what you gotta do. It definitely won't hurt to have it.

I think you might have to take some additional post-bac courses after you finish at DU to have a decent shot at schools. I would do that, just to save time and money as opposed to doing an SMP (unless its one with linkage).

Also, did you apply to the LECOM post-bac? I'm just curious why you're saying you are borderline for it, and have no chance at other places. Also, did you take the MCAT yet?

 

[deleted92121]

No I've held off on the MCAT due to full course load and full time work. And I'm prob a bit under the LECOM post bac gpa requirement of 2.7. Plus DU offers on campus MCAT prep course through Kaplan or PR.

I should mention I do plan to do some retakes at DU. That would bring my GPA up closer to 2.95 if I can do well in them, namely physics and chemistry. I'm waiting to hear back about my schedule for Fall.

 

[hallowmann]

No I've held off on the MCAT due to full course load and full time work. And I'm prob a bit under the LECOM post bac gpa requirement of 2.7. Plus DU offers on campus MCAT prep course through Kaplan or PR.

I should mention I do plan to do some retakes at DU. That would bring my GPA up closer to 2.95 if I can do well in them, namely physics and chemistry. I'm waiting to hear back about my schedule for Fall.

That's basically what I did with the MCAT.

If you can do those courses, and maybe 1-2 more non-science retakes, just to get over the cutoffs, that would be good. Add a high MCAT and you'd have a good shot at a fair amount of programs.

Are you doing the enhancement program? 34-37 credits sounds like two semesters and half a summer fulltime, so if you could fit in a few more courses to bump you up, you should be good and might even be able to apply in 2014. You could even just take the fall 2014 semester for extra retakes, and update your app in December.

 

[deleted92121]

That's what I'm thinking. I'm willing to go through next December. I think I can hit the magic 3.0 cutoff with some effort.

 

[hallowmann]

That's what I'm thinking. I'm willing to go through next December. I think I can hit the magic 3.0 cutoff with some effort.

I think its doable, plus your sGPA will be much higher, so anyone who actually picks up your app and reads it will know the old grades were bad, but you redeemed yourself.

 

[deleted92121]

I've had a reasonable upward trend past two or three semesters. Add in a few more and good things could happen.

Thanks for the advice and bouncing ideas back and forth.