SMP, Postbac recommendations

[determined293]

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Hey guys

So I am a senior at Stanford University and am in the process of applying to postbacs and special masters programs. Any recommendations as to which specific postbacs/smp to apply to?

I haven't taken the MCAT yet but will be taking the GRE soon because many require it since I don't have the MCAT. I have taken all the premedical coursework including biochem. I have a 2.94 GPA (Stanford science has kicked my ass), Biology major, and well my XCs are beyond great. EMT who works as one when back home and has also volunteered before. I've done countless shadowing in hospitals and the like.

I have already completed my applications to Rutgers and Robert Wood MS/MBS programs in Jersey since I am from there.

Any advice would be much appreciated especially from those who have gone to such top undergrad schools and maybe not have done as well like myself.

 

[WedgeDawg]

With a 2.94 GPA, postbaccs probably aren't going to help, at least not by themselves. You will only be able to raise your GPA to maybe a 3.2. Additionally, a lot of postbacs only let you enroll if you haven't taken the classes before. If you can get into an SMP program and kick ass there, that's probably your best shot for MD, but if Stanford biology is kicking your ass, an SMP probably will too. It's also dubious whether or not an SMP will accept you with that GPA, and many require the MCAT too.

The easiest solution for you is to do grade replacement --> DO.

If you're absolutely set on MD, do a do-it-yourself postbacc with enough courses to raise your GPA to a 3.0, study for the MCAT and do very well the first time (this will take several months), then complete an SMP with a 3.8+ GPA. This is much much much easier said than done, but if you want to go MD, that's what you've got to do. It will be expensive and extremely time consuming, and only you can decide whether or not that's worth it. The DO option is quicker, easier, less expensive, and will give you more or less the same options (unless you want to become the chief of neurosurgery at UCSF or something).