timeline for postbaccs and applying for med schools.

[aye]

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Hello all. I'm interested in applying for some postbaccs for fall 2005. However, i'm a little confused about the timeline. here is my scenario: i'm applying to med school now but i'm assuming i'm not gonna get in... so i'm retakin the mcats in april and applying again in june. also, i'm applying to the postbacc programs. so, if i get into a postbacc program in fall... would i have to reapply again to med school a third time for them to see my postbacc grades?? or would med schools look at my records even tho i'm attending the program already?

lol... sorry if i lost you. basically, should i reapply to med school during the the program or afterwards? thanks!

 

[Phil Anthropist]

Depends on the program, but in general it would be better to reapply after you've done coursework for a year (especially if your grades aren't so hot). There are exceptions to the rule though (Rosalind Franklin, Georgetown, and maybe BU would be some examples). Some schools would look at your existing profile and probably wouldn't even consider your Fall postbac grades (for better or for worse). Other schools might put your app on hold until your fall grades come out. There's an old Drexel thread somewhere on this forum where some of the schools that consider your fall grades are mentioned. However, if your grades put you on hold till Jan/Feb, you're already at a huge disadvantage and could be interviewing for a waitlist.

In the app cycle it's to your advantage to get in your complete application early. So if you can wait an extra year, it's to your advantage to do the year of coursework first, have it show up on your AMCAS (or AACOMAS) application, and then apply. That way you have the opportunity to show your postbac grades AND your app won't be delayed.

 

[aye]

Depends on the program, but in general it would be better to reapply after you've done coursework for a year (especially if your grades aren't so hot). There are exceptions to the rule though (Rosalind Franklin, Georgetown, and maybe BU would be some examples). Some schools would look at your existing profile and probably wouldn't even consider your Fall postbac grades (for better or for worse). Other schools might put your app on hold until your fall grades come out. There's an old Drexel thread somewhere on this forum where some of the schools that consider your fall grades are mentioned. However, if your grades put you on hold till Jan/Feb, you're already at a huge disadvantage and could be interviewing for a waitlist.

In the app cycle it's to your advantage to get in your complete application early. So if you can wait an extra year, it's to your advantage to do the year of coursework first, have it show up on your AMCAS (or AACOMAS) application, and then apply. That way you have the opportunity to show your postbac grades AND your app won't be delayed.

so how long does mcat scores last just in case i'll apply for 2007, after the post bacc program?? Thanks!

 

[Phil Anthropist]

so how long does mcat scores last just in case i'll apply for 2007, after the post bacc program?? Thanks!

Most med schools will accept MCAT scores as many as three-years old

 

[nico05]

Dont worry about your scores, they'll be accepted for a while, however, dont apply just for the sake of applying, it may hurt more than help. If you are going to do a post-bacc, which is what I am doing now, wait until you get some solid grades before applying. Best of luck. 👍