Should I do a post bacc?

[BaLeavaMD]

Hi all! I need a little advice. Here are my stats:

26 y/o African American Female
Masters in Public Health: 3.85 GPA
Undergrad Overall: 3.15
BCPM: 2.65
All others GPA: 3.5
MCAT: low 20s
Lots of great experience, research assistant, etc.

My question is, should I do a 1 year post bacc science program to boost my gpa? I got a masters partly for this reason, but it's not exactly Biology, Chem, Math, or Physics stuff. I'm getting older and want to go ahead and go to school, but I want to be prepared. I took Kaplan, but I think I struggled on the MCATbecause I haven't taken some of the sciences in 6-8 years. Should I take the MCAT now or just wait and do the program. I still have MUCH faith, just asking a couple of opinions!! Thanks

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[efex101]

I think there lies your problem...that your science classes the pre-reqs are old. Did you do well in them? meaning did you get A's or B's? if the answer is yes then I would focus on taking some other upper level bio/chem undergrad classes that will help for the mcat like cell and molec, physiology, genetics...etc. I would not take the MCAT again this August if you KNOW that your main problem is the old pre-reqs.

 

[Jamaican MD]

If you're planning to apply this year, you should.

You can also apply to post-bacc programs and MS programs simultaneously. That way you don't lose a year waiting, not getting in and still having to do a post-bacc program. Do you know what I mean?

Apply because you never know though. You might get an acceptance. Be sure to explain your circumstances.

 

[MD4Life03]

I would wait a year and retake biochemistry and physiology. They really help on the mcat.

 

[Naima19]

You should definitely apply to a post bacc program. You could also apply to a few medical schools, just be very selective with the schools that you apply to. Your statistics are very similiar to mine and I did not do a post bacc program. Though I did get several interviews, one of the major concerns was my undergraduate science grades.

Though your graduate school grades are great , unless you have a concentration in Biological Sciences they aren't going to count for much . Public Health is concidered a "soft" science and grades in these classes are not comparable to the prereqs for medical school.

That being said good luck with your application process and congratulations on your MPH.

 

[pathdr2b]

I think there lies your problem...that your science classes the pre-reqs are old. Did you do well in them? meaning did you get A's or B's? if the answer is yes then I would focus on taking some other upper level bio/chem undergrad classes that will help for the mcat like cell and molec, physiology, genetics...etc. I would not take the MCAT again this August if you KNOW that your main problem is the old pre-reqs.

I would enroll in the courses suggested by Efex 101 AND retake the MCAT ONLY if you can focus full-time on just learning the material for the test between now and August 14th. As a matter of fact, also I'm considering taking some courses in Immunology, Histology,and Physiology in Fall 2004/Spring 2005 at my top choice school to keep my study skills up and give me a "heads up" on the courses in med school.

I would also contact the school's on your list BEFORE submitting your application.

 

[efex101]

Yup, I would also contact schools before submitting.....

 

[smokeycat]

Hi all! I need a little advice. Here are my stats:

26 y/o African American Female
Masters in Public Health: 3.85 GPA
Undergrad Overall: 3.15
BCPM: 2.65
All others GPA: 3.5
MCAT: low 20s
Lots of great experience, research assistant, etc.

My question is, should I do a 1 year post bacc science program to boost my gpa? I got a masters partly for this reason, but it's not exactly Biology, Chem, Math, or Physics stuff. I'm getting older and want to go ahead and go to school, but I want to be prepared. I took Kaplan, but I think I struggled on the MCATbecause I haven't taken some of the sciences in 6-8 years. Should I take the MCAT now or just wait and do the program. I still have MUCH faith, just asking a couple of opinions!! Thanks

Contact the schools that you are interested in...some medical schools require you to retake old pre reqs (anything over 5 years old).