Taking some UG classes post graduation

[hypnix]

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Hey guys, I'm a soon to be re-applicant after I re-take the MCAT in April. I was thinking of taking 1-2 science classes this coming spring semester to boost my GPA (3.45). I'm out of state and I got pricing and it's $4000 for 1-5 hrs, $9000 for 6-11 hours and yeah, I don't really have that kind of money. I'm not sure how much a community college would cost me, but would that be looked down upon by admission committees? I just don't have that kind of money and not sure if it's worth it. I believe I have 127 to 135hrs already. Any alternatives? I'm guessing not really. What would you guys recommend?

 

[LodiDodi]

Your GPA is not low enough as to warrant that kind of money (although money isn't that big of deal if you can afford it). I would probably work on improving other parts of your app or take the classes at your home state's colleges. Although some people believe that community college is not looked on as well as a university would be, your GPA is not so low that you need to prove yourself in the academic realm. Maybe consider just taking courses to boost the GPA so it looks a little better when the add comms are initially perusing apps.

 

[Blade28]

Unfortunately 1-2 sciences classes won't boost your GPA by much (even with As) if you've already taken 127-135 credit hours already.

As an example, using the most conservative estimates, if you have a 3.45 GPA with 127 credits, and get straight As on another 11 credits, your GPA will go up to 3.49.

If, however, you have a 3.45 GPA with 135 credits, and get straight As on another 6 credits, your GPA will only go up to 3.47.

I agree with LodiDodi's recommendation to work on other parts of your app.

 

[RxnMan]

You didn't post your MCAT, but I will assume it's below the nat'l matriculant average. MCAT and ugrad GPA are the prime determinants of getting an admission. As much uncompetitive you are on one scale, you have to be that much more competitive on the other. What most applicants don't know is that MCAT is the easiest thing to bring up and if your's is "low", then that is the best place to spend your time. Got a 24? Make it a priority and get that to a 30. Sounds hard, but it is only a test. It is one day's worth of work. Now that you can take it any time of the year, you can prep till you feel ready, and still get it done in time for next year's app. Kaplan offers a bunch of exam questions to practice on, as well as the MCAT test writers themselves. Use those, troubleshoot where you're weak, and then practice. Try a sample exam. Do it all over again.

If you've already got a 30+/3.45, then the other determinants come out. Do something clinical if you don't have any experience. If you're interested in research, do that. You may just need to take more time and apply to more places this year.

Kinda like the ABCs. If you don't have A, don't worry about B.

Check out the FAQ for help on making these decisions and how to get clinical, research opportunities.

 

[hypnix]

Thanks guys for the replies. I haven't been on SDN the past few days since there weren't any responses at the time but I did calculate my GPA to see how it would go up if I got all As in 6hrs of classes and like one poster said, it would only go up .02

My MCAT first time was below the matriculating average. I am in a prep course now and hopefully will improve and get a 30+. I'm applying for jobs at a few hospitals to be a tech there since I got my EMT-B license. I am hoping to hit two birds with one stone as I work at a hospital to get by and pay for all the application costs as well as gain some clinical experience.

I'm just worried about getting new recommendations. I lost touch with those professors pretty much after I got those recs.