Should I do an SMP!?

[nontradhopefulOBGYN]

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I am doing a post bacc with no previous science courses. Undergrad cGPA 2.8. My aim is allopathic. If I can get a 4.0 for my post bacc program and a good MCAT, should I bother with the SMP after post bacc? Or should I go the extra mile to be more sure I have proven my academic capabilities despite undergrad?

EDIT:

On second thought, my undergrad cGPA is likely a bit higher than previously stated. I forgot that my freshman year at my first university is not included in my final cGPA of the university I transferred to and graduated from (and med schools will in fact include it). My freshman year cGPA was a 3.69 then I transferred and recieve a final cGPA of 2.8 so consider that when responding to the original question

 

[BluMist]

what would be your overall (including undergrad) cGPA and sGPA after post-bacc? if you can raise your overall GPA to 3.3-3.5 range and apply broadly, there are schools that will reward the upward trend. If it is hovering around 3.0, then SMP might be your only option if you refuse to consider DO.

 

[nontradhopefulOBGYN]

Im confident it will be in that range since I need ALL the pre-reqs. Also see "edit" in OP.

On another note, If I do choose to consider DO, is it necessary that i try to do grade replacements for courses with Cs or lower (even though they are business courses)? Or is that something people do to raise sGPA?

 

[BluMist]

If you can get to 3.3-3.5 range cGPA, you don't need grade replacement. I believe the median GPA for MD acceptance is ~3.7 while DO is ~3.4, so you'd be in range without having to retake business classes.

 

[ConfusedChemist]

One thing to consider. How are you going to go from a poor GPA to a 4.0 instantly in a SMP?
See if you can get a 3.9+ next term, but if you can't get good grades in undergrad what is going to *magically* change in an SMP in September?

Not saying it's not possible, but be realistic

 

[Seattle Mariners Fan]

Typical postbac is ~30 credits.

Typical undergrad is ~120 credits.

4.0 on 30 credits is 120 GPA points.

2.8 on 120 credits is 336 GPA points.

(120+336)/150=3.04

Applying sub 3.3 is generally not likely to end favorably, and the odds remain against you - even with a stellar MCAT - sub 3.5. Median cGPA for matriculated MD is around 3.7.

I would run the math formally - ie class by class in excel - before making a huge investment in the form of a postbac. And understand that the prerequisites are HARD, and that many of the instructors often look for frivolous reasons to take points off in the pre-med courses - a 4.0 is not a foregone conclusion, even for very bright students working hard.

 

[OGLoc23]

I am doing a post bacc with no previous science courses. Undergrad cGPA 2.8. My aim is allopathic. If I can get a 4.0 for my post bacc program and a good MCAT, should I bother with the SMP after post bacc? Or should I go the extra mile to be more sure I have proven my academic capabilities despite undergrad?

EDIT:

On second thought, my undergrad cGPA is likely a bit higher than previously stated. I forgot that my freshman year at my first university is not included in my final cGPA of the university I transferred to and graduated from (and med schools will in fact include it). My freshman year cGPA was a 3.69 then I transferred and recieve a final cGPA of 2.8 so consider that when responding to the original question

You'll first need to figure out why your uGPA is so low before even thinking about the post-bacc. Heading into a career-changer post-bacc with a history of low grades and no experience with generally more difficult science courses bodes ill of your future academic performance in the sciences.

Consider an SMP only after you've completed the prereqs.

 

[nontradhopefulOBGYN]

1. There are justifiable reasons for my uGPA which I do not feel like diving into (until necessary). However, I know I am capable of a 4.0 or darn close to it. Go to the low gpa thread and read some of the success stories. you would be surprised what people are capable of despite initial impressions =)
2. I will be taking more than 30 credits because I am planning to take a mix of other upper level science course i.e genetics, physiology etc
3. I was really asking "in the event that I am able to do that well in pre-reqs, is an SMP really necessary to further disprove my bad uGPA" because I have read post that said SMPs inflate GPAs and do not hold much weight with adcoms (i just like to layout time frames in my head, hence my clearly premature asking of said question)

If anyone has any direct advice to the bold question in #3 it would be greatly appreciated =)

 

[Goro]

1) I'm not a fan of magic thinking.

You'll need to actually take coursework and ace it.

2) Ace 30+ credits and you should be in good shape for those MD schools that reward reinvention, as long as you ace MCAT as well (33+ on the old scale)

3) If you indeed can ace 30 credits, an SMP won't be needed. Your DIY post-bac will suffice. But words are easy, doing is harder.

1. There are justifiable reasons for my uGPA which I do not feel like diving into (until necessary). However, I know I am capable of a 4.0 or darn close to it. Go to the low gpa thread and read some of the success stories. you would be surprised what people are capable of despite initial impressions =)
2. I will be taking more than 30 credits because I am planning to take a mix of other upper level science course i.e genetics, physiology etc
3. I was really asking "in the event that I am able to do that well in pre-reqs, is an SMP really necessary to further disprove my bad uGPA" because I have read post that said SMPs inflate GPAs and do not hold much weight with adcoms (i just like to layout time frames in my head, hence my clearly premature asking of said question)

If anyone has any direct advice to the bold question in #3 it would be greatly appreciated =)