Should I do a DIY Post bacc?

[Cynthiabiswas]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated with an undergrad GPA of 2.4. I majored in biology and finished all my pre reqs. But between this time, I had a lot of illnesses and financial problems.
I know that I cannot get into medical school the 2.4 GPA. So I wanted to do my own DIY post bacc. I know that taking more courses will not change my cum GPA, but I want to show that after my undergrad, I was able to get A’s elsewhere outside of my uni.
I’m thinking about taking foundational courses at a community college; chem, bio, and chem lab. And then I wanted to take upper divisions at a 4 year college as a second degree student; physiology, organic chemistry, bio chem, health ethics, and anatomy.
If I attain A’s in all those course, get a high MCAT, and get more clinical hours, would I at least have a shot at an SMP or MPH program? Because from there, I can use that as a bridge to get into medical school.

With a DIY post bacc, what courses should I focus on taking?

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[chilly_md]

An MPH will not help your chances of getting into medical school.

But doing well in 40 or more credits of a post-bacc would certainly help. You have the right idea about coursework. I wouldn’t recommend re-taking pre-reqs that you got a C or higher in. For upper division, try taking classes like immunology, genetics, and neurobiology. See Goro’s guide to reinvention for more detailed information:

Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention (updated for 2021)

EDIT: Post in WAMC forum for recommended school lists. This thread isn't for that. So you want to be a doctor, but your GPA is terrible. Is that the end? Rule #1: Take a deep breath, and stop fussing. The sky is not falling. But you are going to need to reinvent yourself. This will take...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

Firstly, thank you for your advice!

I can only take courses at local community colleges because I cannot afford the out of pocket tuition for 4 years. I have heard from some that medical schools don’t like community college courses because it’s easier and I heard from others that it does not matter.

As an expert and committee member, can you tell me if it is alright to take courses at community colleges in my post bacc? Should I do a combination or mainly just stick to a 4 year?

 

[chilly_md]

Firstly, thank you for your advice!

I can only take courses at local community colleges because I cannot afford the out of pocket tuition for 4 years. I have heard from some that medical schools don’t like community college courses because it’s easier and I heard from others that it does not matter.

As an expert and committee member, can you tell me if it is alright to take courses at community colleges in my post bacc? Should I do a combination or mainly just stick to a 4 year?

You don’t need to pay for 4 years. Working to save up 2 years of tuition would be one idea. If you take 10-12 credits a semester, over 4 semesters that would get you over 40.

What were your year by year trends? Did you struggle immediately in gen chem and intro bio, or later on?

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

First year to senior year- I struggled with my courses, retook many failed courses, and got C’s in them

Senior year- I took two additional semesters and got a 4.0 on one but that was a non-science semester, then I got an A in Bio state, A in PHY labs (part 1 and 2, including the lectures- they are separate at my uni), got a C in Orgo lab, and a C in Intro bio lab.

Although I did show an upward trend, it was only slight and it was mainly in the semester that I did not have any non-science courses. I was finishing up my minor in AFS studies at that time.

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

Along with having some health problems and financial problems which I know that a lot of people have, I was also not mature at all. Instead of focusing on the health problems and financial problems, I want to focus more on the fact that I was not mature. I did not have the right study methods and strategies. I also did not know how to handle science courses. I did not have a good study routine and I chose to commute 2-4 hours to school. That was my old self.

And I am ready to be invent a new version of myself. I feel a lot more focused because I know that my gap year it will require me to be more disciplined.

 

[chilly_md]

First year to senior year- I struggled with my courses, retook many failed courses, and got C’s in them

Senior year- I took two additional semesters and got a 4.0 on one but that was a non-science semester, then I got an A in Bio state, A in PHY labs (part 1 and 2, including the lectures- they are separate at my uni), got a C in Orgo lab, and a C in Intro bio lab.

Although I did show an upward trend, it was only slight and it was mainly in the semester that I did not have any non-science courses. I was finishing up my minor in AFS studies at that time.

I don’t know the course offerings at your community college, but since you already retook most of the failed courses and got a C, I wouldn’t recommend retaking those again. You could take some science courses that you haven’t before at the CC to see if you are now a different student. But ensure your health and financial issues are resolved. Even if you have better study strategies, that won’t help if those are still an issue.

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

Okay, I will focus on taking upper divisions then. In order to reinvent myself, I’ll start off at a community college first semester or two and then transition to a four year. I will do clinical hours on the side along with a job as a tutor. And with some great recommendations and a 505+ score, do you think I should be set? Especially if my post bacc “GPA” is like a 3.5+?

 

[Goro]

Hi everyone,

I just graduated with an undergrad GPA of 2.4. I majored in biology and finished all my pre reqs. But between this time, I had a lot of illnesses and financial problems.
I know that I cannot get into medical school the 2.4 GPA. So I wanted to do my own DIY post bacc. I know that taking more courses will not change my cum GPA, but I want to show that after my undergrad, I was able to get A’s elsewhere outside of my uni.
I’m thinking about taking foundational courses at a community college; chem, bio, and chem lab. And then I wanted to take upper divisions at a 4 year college as a second degree student; physiology, organic chemistry, bio chem, health ethics, and anatomy.
If I attain A’s in all those course, get a high MCAT, and get more clinical hours, would I at least have a shot at an SMP or MPH program? Because from there, I can use that as a bridge to get into medical school.

With a DIY post bacc, what courses should I focus on taking?

Read my post on reinvention for premeds.

And yes, the postbac can be a bridge to an SMP

 

[EArlyBirdGetsTheWorm]

I was in a similar situation to you. I did my prereqs at a community college and then did a 1 year DIY post bacc at a 4 year to take biochem and other upper div classes to show adcoms that my grades in Community college were not just because it was a CC.
If I were you OP, I would first figure out why you are doing bad in school and figure out how to fix it before taking another class. If you do bad in your classes, you will shut the door to getting into med school.

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

Thanks for your response. Where are you right now in your status for medical school? Did you apply already?

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

Thanks for your response. Where are you right now in your status for medical school? Did you apply already?

I think I didn’t do well in my undergraduate because I didn’t know how to study and because I took way too many hard courses at the same time. I was taking like five science courses at the same time when I should’ve just focus on taking a few at a time while majoring in something else

 

[EArlyBirdGetsTheWorm]

Thanks for your response. Where are you right now in your status for medical school? Did you apply already?

I have had two interviews. Accepted at 1 school. Waiting to hear from the other school in November. I applied to 26 schools.

 

[EArlyBirdGetsTheWorm]

I think I didn’t do well in my undergraduate because I didn’t know how to study and because I took way too many hard courses at the same time. I was taking like five science courses at the same time when I should’ve just focus on taking a few at a time while majoring in something else

I personally didn’t do well in undergrad because I had bad study habits. Cramming and procrastinating we’re my biggest foes.
I would first figure out how to study and start with two classes a semester and as you gain confidence start taking more classes.

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

I personally didn’t do well in undergrad because I had bad study habits. Cramming and procrastinating we’re my biggest foes.
I would first figure out how to study and start with two classes a semester and as you gain confidence start taking more classes.

You’re right. I was thinking of starting off with just two or three classes and then building up to a full schedule. Was your gpa also a 2.4 like mine is right now? Well technically mine is a 2.34 so it is not even a 2.4. But with due diligence and and practicing better study habits like you, I can raise it up too.

 

[Cynthiabiswas]

I have had two interviews. Accepted at 1 school. Waiting to hear from the other school in November. I applied to 26 schools.

Congratulations!! That inspired me so much because now I see that it’s possible for me to do it too. Question: how do we get through adcoms? Would our undergrad gpa show up first? Or would our post bacc gpa’s also show up and help avoid adcom screening?