Take upper division courses or do an SMP or do both?

[peregrino]

---

Members do not see this ad.

After I figure out my exam-taking issues (see my previous thread), I want to start taking some upper division science coursework. I have already had some upper division sciences (immunology, virology, microbiology) from my (second) bachelor's degree, but I have not taken any endocrinology, neurobiology/neurophysiology, cardiovascular pathophysiology, cancer biology, pediatrics, pulmonology, and some types of molecular cell biology.

Also, I have not taken the MCAT, but I am studying for it for Fall, probably September. If I mess up, I can retake the following Spring.

Lastly, I was also advised to do an SMP. I know that some SMPs want the MCAT, which is why I want to do it soon (yes, I know that I should have done it years ago, but I had doubts about my academic abilities; I am addressing those doubts now.)

However, I also had read that some SMPs do not want applicants who have already had the upper division work as that it what they will be having students take in their classes. Is this true? Will taking upper division science courses in post-bacc limit my acceptance to an SMP?

 

[Dr.Gains]

After I figure out my exam-taking issues (see my previous thread), I want to start taking some upper division science coursework. I have already had some upper division sciences (immunology, virology, microbiology) from my (second) bachelor's degree, but I have not taken any endocrinology, neurobiology/neurophysiology, cardiovascular pathophysiology, cancer biology, pediatrics, pulmonology, and some types of molecular cell biology.

Also, I have not taken the MCAT, but I am studying for it for Fall, probably September. If I mess up, I can retake the following Spring.

Lastly, I was also advised to do an SMP. I know that some SMPs want the MCAT, which is why I want to do it soon (yes, I know that I should have done it years ago, but I had doubts about my academic abilities; I am addressing those doubts now.)

However, I also had read that some SMPs do not want applicants who have already had the upper division work as that it what they will be having students take in their classes. Is this true? Will taking upper division science courses in post-bacc limit my acceptance to an SMP?

It really depends on where you stand from a GPA stand point. What is your uGPA c/s with all your credits including your post-bacc? If it's over a 3.0, you can apply to SMPs with a goal of doing well in the program in hopes of having a better chance of matriculating into a medical school. Also, I'm not sure where you got that last bit of information but I think that is absolutely false. In most of the reputable SMPs, you take graduate level courses and the same course(s) along side the M1s. Post-bacc classes are undergraduate level, you don't take undergraduate level courses in SMPs.