Ways to improve BCPM after graduation

[beebo]

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Having graduated with a 3.3 cum and 3.2 BCPM, I am looking to increase my BCPM. I previously considered using a masters program to better my application. After reading some posts, I am not sure if that is the wisest course of action. I am curious, where to grades from post-bac courses go? I can't see it going into BCPM because you have already graduated. But then again, I don't see how they would be counted as graduate level work.

 

[Cobragirl]

Beebo...good question!

One of my recent interviewers suggested that I should take a couple more science classes just to help pad my application (not a quote...but that's how it came across) a little (although I have to admit that I didn't understand the reasoning since I have a 3.8+ GPA and a BS in Marine Bio). I too have already graduated and don't really understand how taking "a couple" classes could possibly help since the grades obviously won't go toward the BS I've already earned. IF he had suggested more volunteering, working in a doc's office, etc. I might have understood...but MORE classes on top of an already good gpa???? Just goes to show you that you NEVER know WHAT the adcom's are looking for!

Somebody try to answer this good question please...

PS- as for me, I decided to take Biochem II, to help soften my C's in Organic...(the ONLY C's on my transcript)

 

[fiatslug]

Indeed, your post bacc grades are factored into your BCPM GPA! All the courses you'd take in a post bacc program are undergraduate level courses, hence they show up (and therefore help pad) your undergrad GPA. Check out the discussion in "Everyone" called "my chances???" for more reasons to take undergrad courses rather than graduate work. If you are wondering what specific courses to take (have you already completed the basic prereqs? ie, orgo, bio, chem & physics?), aside from the prereqs, anything you'll see in first or second year will help: biochem (absolutely take this before medical school), micro, anatomy, physio, pharm, path, immuno, embryology, etc. A "post bacc" generally focuses on the basic prereqs.

 

[numinous]

I have a related question:
I have retaken a few science classes in undergrad to show improvement. In my school's tally, these new marks don't figure into my cum - do med schools include them? Thanks.

 

[gower]

For numinous:

ALL classes and grades that appear on your transcript, in order, must be entered on the AMCAS application, even the repeats that you did not get credit for.

On the AMCAS application, YOU have to enter your recalculation of GPA semester by semester. AMCAS will just check to see if you have done the entries correctly.

If you had already passed, with C- or better, the courses you repeated, you were ill advised (if you sought advice at all) to repeat them. The expectation is that you should get A on repeats because you have been through the courses before. The assumption is that you had the same teacher who gave the same assigments and the same exams. Even if that is not true, you would be wasting space and effort trying to explain that on an application. [The personal statement is not a place to waste on "alibis" or calling attention to negatives, it should be all positive about you as a person.] You should have taken electives in the same department, even though not required courses for admission, that you never took before and earned A.
If it was, say, organic I you repeated, take biochemistry instead and earn A. Then, biochem II to hammer it home. Similarly with respect to biology courses.
D and F in admission requirements must be repeated.

 

[gower]

How long before your application did you earn your two degrees? If they were earned three or more years ago, it is possible that the suggestion was made to take additional courses to show you still have the smarts.

Another possibilty is that the Marine Biology coursework was considered less significant than the aging undergrad record.
It is well known that A and B are the only passing grades in grad school; undergrad is more competitive for grades.

And a third possibility is who knows why?

But you did get an interview and the likelihood is that it was just an off the cuff remark that will do no damage.

 

[gower]

My last post was for Cobragirl.

 

[gower]

Assuming you were not a biology major, fiatslug has it right. Postbacs are primarily for students who did not take any of the prerequisites as an undergraduate. There are some postbac programs that do accept science majors, but you will have to hunt them down for yourself.

There is a site prepared by Syracuse University's premedical office listing postbac programs, but I misplaced the web address.

 

[gower]

Did it again. That last was for beebo.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

beebo and cobragirl....i too had the same question....as far as i know, any undergraduate courses taken "after" graduation are included in a seperate category called "post-bacc" GPA on your AMCAS and that GPA is calculated in together with your undergraduate BCPM. I took undergraduate biochem and A&P after i graduated and they were averaged in to my already embarrasing BCPM....making it a little less embarrasing i guess....graduate level classes are calculated into a seperate GPA....so if you want to raise your BCPM, take some undergraduate courses...and if thats not enough...either enroll in a formal post-bacc program (thats relatively cheap) that prepares you for med school or just take those graduate classes on your own.

Im planning on entering a post-bacc physiology program at my state medical school this coming fall to further strengthen my application. All the classes in the program are graduate level, therefore i hope to take a few more undergraduate classes before starting that program so that i can throw in a few more A's into my BCPM. Until then, i have one thing on my mind...and it spells "M", "C", "A", "T" babyyyyy....take care everyone..

DOCTORSAIB

 

[Cobragirl]

Gower...

I JUST graduated (officially...I had to take 1 class over the summer to be done completely)in August...so it can't be my "aging" transcripts. In addition, I took biochem I last summer (got an A), even though I didn't need it to graduate (soften those C's)...now I'm taking the Biochem II for the same reason.

I'm working, I'm volunteering (have been FOREVER), I have interesting "hobbies", etc., etc., etc. What else could they want????

I'm leaning toward the "off the cuff" explanation myself....

 

[Cobragirl]

Oh yeah....they better NOT consider my Marine Bio coursework insignificant...It required EVERY class that Micro Majors have to take PLUS several extremely detailed physiology, botany, and other marine related courses. Marine Biology IS NOT about chasing dolphins around...much to many-a-freshman's disappointment! It requires a vast knowledge of physics (it's hard to live in a viscous liquid ya know!), physiology, math, and geology. It's certainly more detailed than the standard "biology" major offered by many schools. That's why only 4 schools in the nation have an undergraduate Marine Bio BS!

My degree literally says Marine Biology...NOT Biology - Marine Bio emphasis

[This message has been edited by Cobragirl (edited 01-29-2001).]

 

[numinous]

Thank you, gower, for your help. I have been following your posts and am grateful for the information you have given on different threads. Yes, I suppose I was ill-advised. My school, despite its size, does not have premed counseling. I am retaking two classes not because I did very poorly, but rather to show improvement. I see now that I should have chosen a different method. For the record, the assignments, exams and some of the curriculum have changed in the two years that have passed. I had another question that maybe you could answer. I spent a year in Spain studying my major, religion. Now, McGill does not accept my grades from that university, but is only interested that I passed. Are those marks to be included in my med school application as well? I do apperciate your time - thank you.