Should I even bother considering post baccs?

[newenglandlobster508]

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Today I got an email from VCOM asking me to apply to their post bacc and if I earn a 3.6 or higher I will be accepted into their program, etc ,etc. Ive gotten a few others from other schools offering interviews.

I had a 3.3 cGPA, and a 3.0 s gpa. Was an engineer, had patents, research, hours of volunteer work, 26 MCAT, graduated in 3 years, finished college with these stats while taking care of my mother with cancer who eventually passed away.

During this years application system, most schools promised responses within 3 months. I didnt hear back from VCOM until a week ago when my application was received and confirmed by them November 2nd.

Basically Ive seen these types of programs in Caribbean medical schools where they really just want your money (not to mention only 60% make it through the Post bacc program). Should I even bother applying/attending a post bacc like this or should I just apply earlier this year, (as soon as the submission opens)?

The reason I ask is my alternative gap year would be : Finishing my masters degree in further engineering and then starting work if medical schools dont accept me. This way I have a useful degree in my hands if I dont get into medical school again.


Uh not sure if this matters, Got secondaries from most of the DO Schools I applied to and reached the interview waitlist stage for about 50% of the schools

 

[FutureD.O]

Today I got an email from VCOM asking me to apply to their post bacc and if I earn a 3.6 or higher I will be accepted into their program, etc ,etc. Ive gotten a few others from other schools offering interviews.

I had a 3.3 cGPA, and a 3.0 s gpa. Was an engineer, had patents, research, hours of volunteer work, 26 MCAT, graduated in 3 years, finished college with these stats while taking care of my mother with cancer who eventually passed away.

During this years application system, most schools promised responses within 3 months. I didnt hear back from VCOM until a week ago when my application was received and confirmed by them November 2nd.

Basically Ive seen these types of programs in Caribbean medical schools where they really just want your money (not to mention only 60% make it through the Post bacc program). Should I even bother applying/attending a post bacc like this or should I just apply earlier this year, (as soon as the submission opens)?

The reason I ask is my alternative gap year would be : Finishing my masters degree in further engineering and then starting work if medical schools dont accept me. This way I have a useful degree in my hands if I dont get into medical school again.


Uh not sure if this matters, Got secondaries from most of the DO Schools I applied to and reached the interview waitlist stage for about 50% of the schools

I'd advise doing grade replacements. Turn your low grades into A's and you should have a more competitive app. I'm sure plenty of others will give you more advice.

 

[newenglandlobster508]

I'd advise doing grade replacements. Turn your low grades into A's and you should have a more competitive app. I'm sure plenty of others will give you more advice.

Yep, I have 3 fresh A's coming in from some c college biology classes I am taking. Cant replace because undergrad school WAYYY too expensive to replace per class.

Is the mcat score fine for low tier do?

 

[DrMikeP]

Today I got an email from VCOM asking me to apply to their post bacc and if I earn a 3.6 or higher I will be accepted into their program, etc ,etc. Ive gotten a few others from other schools offering interviews.

I had a 3.3 cGPA, and a 3.0 s gpa. Was an engineer, had patents, research, hours of volunteer work, 26 MCAT, graduated in 3 years, finished college with these stats while taking care of my mother with cancer who eventually passed away.

During this years application system, most schools promised responses within 3 months. I didnt hear back from VCOM until a week ago when my application was received and confirmed by them November 2nd.

Basically Ive seen these types of programs in Caribbean medical schools where they really just want your money (not to mention only 60% make it through the Post bacc program). Should I even bother applying/attending a post bacc like this or should I just apply earlier this year, (as soon as the submission opens)?

The reason I ask is my alternative gap year would be : Finishing my masters degree in further engineering and then starting work if medical schools dont accept me. This way I have a useful degree in my hands if I dont get into medical school again.


Uh not sure if this matters, Got secondaries from most of the DO Schools I applied to and reached the interview waitlist stage for about 50% of the schools

Are you gunning for VCOM? If so then fine, if not then there are other ways as mentioned. That's how these school fill their class loads.

Be aware that some of these programs are extremely difficult and there are stories of people 3.0ing out, which means the end for them. Perhaps justly so or not, but don't assume that it's just a speed bump in your marathon. These progs can be like flaming hoops with razor blades you have to jump through. If you make it you are guaranteed a seat though.

Best of luck

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[newenglandlobster508]

Are you gunning for VCOM? If so then fine, if not then there are other ways as mentioned. That's how these school fill their class loads.

Be aware that some of these programs are extremely difficult and there are stories of people 3.0ing out, which means the end for them. Perhaps justly so or not, but don't assume that it's just a speed bump in your marathon. These progs can be like flaming hoops with razor blades you have to jump through. If you make it you are guaranteed a seat though.

Best of luck

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

No not particularly gunning for vcom, based on their online stats of a 24 average mcat gpa and a 3.2 gpa requirement I find it odd I wasnt even offered a secondary.
Further more the guy who emailed me said the application deadline for their school was like april 15th. I honestly do think some DO schools just forgot about my application over time, perhaps because I applied late


I appreciate your advice too, One thing I didnt mention is I spent a semester at SGU in September-December (did well actually), before making the decision to apply to these DO Schools.

The VCOM guy told me 60% of their post bac students get into med school which is kind of the same scenario of SGU, and just not worth the time or money for my investment. I would rather finish a masters degree and make something useful if med school isnt an option for me.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Postbacc programs are for suckers. Retake bad grades and apply.

 

[DrMikeP]

No not particularly gunning for vcom, based on their online stats of a 24 average mcat gpa and a 3.2 gpa requirement I find it odd I wasnt even offered a secondary.
Further more the guy who emailed me said the application deadline for their school was like april 15th. I honestly do think some DO schools just forgot about my application over time, perhaps because I applied late


I appreciate your advice too, One thing I didnt mention is I spent a semester at SGU in September-December (did well actually), before making the decision to apply to these DO Schools.

The VCOM guy told me 60% of their post bac students get into med school which is kind of the same scenario of SGU, and just not worth the time or money for my investment. I would rather finish a masters degree and make something useful if med school isnt an option for me.

Understand and don't blame you at all.

I was accepted so it didn't matter, but I had half a dozen schools that I completed secondaries for that didn't respond until very recently and they offered me opportunities in their masters progs.

One school I was interested in early on and hadn't heard anything post secondary app so I emailed them and they basically told me that they have a hold list for pre-interview candidates that met their cutoffs but for various reasons weren't as strong as other candidates (e.g. MCAT was weak in one area). Those they hold until the candidate does something to improve their application like take another class, new MCAT, etc or the school nears the end of the cycle and has empty slots open.

Good luck in your endeavors and if you apply early and broadly this cycle you just might make it!

 

[redhope]

For the love of all that is good, don't do a doggone DO SMP. As a matter of fact, don't do any SMP's unless you're gunning for MD. If you're set on spending that much money, might as well go for the program that'll get you into schools that don't accept grade replacement (MD) and will be accepted by both MD and DO schools alike.

I've personally never heard of someone doing a DO SMP and getting into an MD school...

Now for the non-SMP route:

DO SMP's are the biggest scam out there since you can retake your classes at any college and they'll simply get replaced. Low cost, low risk, high reward for someone with bad grades. Retake those lower division D's and C's at a community college and shell out a couple thousand at most for upper div's at a 4 year. You do this for a year and you have 8 brand new As to work with, an upperward trend looked upon favorably by all DO schools, and you just spend what, 5K at most?

 

[FutureD.O]

Yep, I have 3 fresh A's coming in from some c college biology classes I am taking. Cant replace because undergrad school WAYYY too expensive to replace per class.

Is the mcat score fine for low tier do?

Are you going to be able to replace those grades? The much smarter route is putting your money on retaking and replacing those grades at your university.

A 26 is definitely good enough for all the newer schools and some more established ones depending on your overall app. One thing that is concerning is the fact you took a semester at SGU (carribean?). That could be seen as a red flag, but again I'm not an adcom so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Ideally if you could get your sgpa above a 3.2, I think you'd be in a much better position.

Ask @Goro

 

[Goro]

The sGPA is the big hindrance to your success. I recommend the post-bac.

The SGU work will be ignored.

Today I got an email from VCOM asking me to apply to their post bacc and if I earn a 3.6 or higher I will be accepted into their program, etc ,etc. Ive gotten a few others from other schools offering interviews.

I had a 3.3 cGPA, and a 3.0 s gpa. Was an engineer, had patents, research, hours of volunteer work, 26 MCAT, graduated in 3 years, finished college with these stats while taking care of my mother with cancer who eventually passed away.


Uh not sure if this matters, Got secondaries from most of the DO Schools I applied to and reached the interview waitlist stage for about 50% of the schools

 

[newenglandlobster508]

Are you going to be able to replace those grades? The much smarter route is putting your money on retaking and replacing those grades at your university.

A 26 is definitely good enough for all the newer schools and some more established ones depending on your overall app. One thing that is concerning is the fact you took a semester at SGU (carribean?). That could be seen as a red flag, but again I'm not an adcom so take everything I say with a grain of salt. Ideally if you could get your sgpa above a 3.2, I think you'd be in a much better position.

Ask @Goro

Thanks for the advice man, idk how to put this in words, I basically went to a complete grade deflation undergrad. At rank 6-10/55 in all of my premed sciecnce classes that equivated to a B+ down to a B.

I will try new schools.

The semester at SGU is a grey area, but I did speak to two DO Admisisons officers when I shadowed at their schools, and they said its seen as a positive choice since I left MD to pursue DO rather than use DO as back up

 

[Sardinia]

.

 

[yayayaok]

No


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[JoeUSA]

No not particularly gunning for vcom, based on their online stats of a 24 average mcat gpa and a 3.2 gpa requirement I find it odd I wasnt even offered a secondary.
Further more the guy who emailed me said the application deadline for their school was like april 15th. I honestly do think some DO schools just forgot about my application over time, perhaps because I applied late


I appreciate your advice too, One thing I didnt mention is I spent a semester at SGU in September-December (did well actually), before making the decision to apply to these DO Schools.

The VCOM guy told me 60% of their post bac students get into med school which is kind of the same scenario of SGU, and just not worth the time or money for my investment. I would rather finish a masters degree and make something useful if med school isnt an option for me.

If I were an admissions officer I would want more information about your departure from SGU. The main question is "did this applicant drop out due to poor grades?" If the applicant did poorly in one medical school the applicant might be at risk for doing poorly in another medical school. It would be helpful to have copies of your transcipt avialble for the admissions team.

 

[j4pac]

How much time and money would it take to get your GPA respectable using grade replacement? If it's doable within a year and at a reasonable cost...then I would go the grade replacement route. However, it if would take years to get your GPA up and would cost tons of money...that is the only scenario in which I believe the post-bac would be a better option. But generally...in the DO world, a post-bac is very much a last ditch effort to get into medical school. Grade replacement, when feasible is usually the better option because it gives you more options. You don't have to go to JUST the post-bac school, and you don't have the pressure of doing well in post-bac. I worked pretty hard in medical school and still collected some Cs. Getting Cs in post-bac really is't an option.

 

[costales]

I've personally never heard of someone doing a DO SMP and getting into an MD school...

I know several people personally who got in MD school via the Med Sci program at UNTHSC/TCOM. They've sent graduates to Baylor and UT Southwestern.

 

[mavikedi]

I am writing this as someone who attended the VCOM post-bacc program for one semester.

#1: The majority of the faculty are amazing and truly want to help you succeed. And not just succeed at VCOM, at any medical school. I went on multiple interviews to other schools during my attendance there and each time the vice-dean gave me great advice and information about each school.

#2: All the students who end up attending the program are extremely nice, friendly, and help each other out so much. Great energy and great people. People were constantly posting study guides and tips on the facebook group to help the class out.

#3: I was an engineer too and didn't have to take classes like biochem and anatomy during undergrad so it was really helpful for me to have taken them during my time there. It also helped me get a feel for the medical school schedule (hint: it's brutal) and really taught me that I need to make taking care of myself a priority.

Now those are all the positives. There are a few negatives as with any program, which pm me and I can tell you about.

Many of my friends DID get into one of the VCOM's at the end of the year but I also know a handful of them didn't. And that again all just came down to making that minimum GPA. If your MCAT score is really close to the minimum but your grades are great they usually make an exception for you (but your MCAT seems to be above the minimum), again, that happened with a close friend of mine.

And as some of you may ask, why did you stay for only one semester? I got into another school and decided to go there instead (primarily because of location, needing a change) and therefore did not return for the second semester. 🙂

[Edit] I forgot to mention another plus to the VCOM post bacc program (compared to others). Very cheap compared to a lot of other programs PLUS one of the few programs with guaranteed admissions.

 

[abn632]

Is the VCOM program a post-bacc (i.e. only offers undergrad coursework with no degree upon completion of the program) or is it a Special Masters Program (SMP - you get a masters degree at the end)? If it's the former and you're only getting undergraduate credit, I'd just find a cheap community college somewhere, start retaking classes and crank out a year's worth of A's. The guaranteed admissions thing is quite attractive, but apparently you have to maintain a 3.6. You should review your education history and count the number of times you have earned a 3.6 GPA or higher in a semester. If your answer is 2 or less, you probably won't suddenly be able to in the VCOM program and you'll just be wasting your time and money.

If it's the SMP - it gets a bit tricky for several reasons. 1) Graduate programs don't affect your undergraduate GPAs, so even if you perform amazingly, it doesn't necessarily improve your chances of acceptance anywhere except at that particular school. 2) Many SMP degrees are...well...worthless. They are well-known for being "programs to get into med school" and that's about all they're good for. They might be able to get you into another grad program elsewhere, maybe a PhD, but the market for persons with SMP graduate degrees is quite limited. 3) However, if you do well and get into the med school associated with the SMP, then it's worth it. Best of luck to you.

 

[redhope]

I know several people personally who got in MD school via the Med Sci program at UNTHSC/TCOM. They've sent graduates to Baylor and UT Southwestern.

Texas gonna Texas. Can't say the same about anywhere else. My point is you're better off doing an MD SMP if you wanna go MD esp when the cost is about the same and they actually have research ops for you. You need not bother telling me what the research is like at any DO school.