Seeking advice: IMS vs. additional undergrad

[xinot]

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undergraduate gpa: 3.1
April MCATs: 29 (planning on retaking in august)

I'm having trouble deciding what type of post-bacc program would be best for me.

I have my heart set on going to the Drexel IMS program, but am worried that my undergrad gpa would not make the cutoff. Does anyone have insight into the admissions process? Even if I do well in the program, the adcom will never know if I don't make it past their preliminary screen???

Or I could spend about a year (8 classes) taking additional undergrad courses, raising my gpa to a 3.226 (with an avg. gpa 3.85). It doesn't seem worth a year (or two) to raise my gpa by such a small amount.

And, how strict is the screening process for the minimum requirements? I got a 1.7 my first semester of gen chem. Since then I've taken orgo and biochem and gotten 4.0. Should I still plan on retaking gen chem I?

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What did you decide? What do you suggest?

THANKS!!!

 

[stinkycheese]

Do the IMS. Most cutoffs are 3.0 which you will make. Better to spend time doing work that is med-school level to show ad coms you can hack it.

 

[xinot]

thanks for the info stinkycheese!

Would I have to contact individual med schools for their cutoffs? MSAR is not that helpful!

 

[CaptainZero]

There is no cut off for IMS...at least not that I know of. There was several people in IMS this year with sub-3.0 GPA's.