What post bacc is best for me?

[KellQuinn007]

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I am a fourth year biology major and I am looking into post bacc programs to apply to for fall 2017. I have a 3.2 GPA. I got a good amount of Cs my first year in lower division courses and most of my upper divs have been As. I want to go to a post bacc that's an academic enhancer program but I haven't really looked at any other options. Most programs I have found only let you take upper divs but I don't think that will help me much since I have all As in upper divs. I wanted to retake my lower divs that I got Cs in to being me gpa up but there are not as many programs that do that (from what I have found). What do you guys think will help me get into med school? Should I try to find a post bacc or community college that lets me just retake my lower divs or do one of the post baccs that has a structured program where I take new upper division courses? Also, if anyone knows of specific post baccs that would possibly work for my situation (preferably in CA) that would be great!

 

[libertyyne]

I am a fourth year biology major and I am looking into post bacc programs to apply to for fall 2017. I have a 3.2 GPA. I got a good amount of Cs my first year in lower division courses and most of my upper divs have been As. I want to go to a post bacc that's an academic enhancer program but I haven't really looked at any other options. Most programs I have found only let you take upper divs but I don't think that will help me much since I have all As in upper divs. I wanted to retake my lower divs that I got Cs in to being me gpa up but there are not as many programs that do that (from what I have found). What do you guys think will help me get into med school? Should I try to find a post bacc or community college that lets me just retake my lower divs or do one of the post baccs that has a structured program where I take new upper division courses? Also, if anyone knows of specific post baccs that would possibly work for my situation (preferably in CA) that would be great!

If you are thinking of MD retaking the lower level classes will not replace those grades. Your GPA will be calculated based on all grades. DO schools let you retake classes to replace grades.

 

[KellQuinn007]

If you are thinking of MD retaking the lower level classes will not replace those grades. Your GPA will be calculated based on all grades. DO schools let you retake classes to replace grades.

I heard that MDs will take the average of your first grade and your grade after retaking the course. I am planning on going the MD route though.

 

[drneeecole]

I'm also in a similar situation...have about a 3.4 cumulative GPA and around a 2.9 science GPA due to a lot of family hardships that took a toll on academics my first two years as an undergrad...I haven't taken the MCAT yet (nor have I remotely approached it). I don't know if I should go through with applying to (very expensive) post-bacc programs, or to retake all the C's I got that led to such a low GPA (chem series, namely) at a community college. I know med schools don't do grade replacements, but how much would they consider getting an A the second time around? What would they prefer to see? CC or post-bacc? I've had straight A's in all of my upper divs since Junior Year, but unfortunately they aren't considered hard sciences because they are "psychobiology/psychology" courses (though I can argue that neuroanatomy was very much hard science). Thoughts?

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Use this calculator to see how realistic your plans are
http://gpacalculator.net/how-to-raise-gpa/

So assuming you have 120 credits, you need 72 more for a 3.5 over all..
That is essentially 2 more years of college

 

[gamieg]

what's your science GPA, or is that the same as your cumulative 3.2 since you're a biology major? if you have a strong upward trend, I'd recommend killing the MCAT and retaking any prerequisites C- and below (since those don't count as passing) and just applying. apply broadly, apply day one, and get a lot of feedback on your personal statement.

 

[KellQuinn007]

what's your science GPA, or is that the same as your cumulative 3.2 since you're a biology major? if you have a strong upward trend, I'd recommend killing the MCAT and retaking any prerequisites C- and below (since those don't count as passing) and just applying. apply broadly, apply day one, and get a lot of feedback on your personal statement.

My science GPA is around a 3.3. Sadly, I got As in all my science upper division courses but did poorly in the math classes I took earlier in college which is bringing my science GPA (and overall) down. That's why I feel like I need to retake those classes rather than just take more upper division biology courses.

 

[gamieg]

My science GPA is around a 3.3. Sadly, I got As in all my science upper division courses but did poorly in the math classes I took earlier in college which is bringing my science GPA (and overall) down. That's why I feel like I need to retake those classes rather than just take more upper division biology courses.

you can retake if you want, but like I said before, if you have a strong upward trend in the science courses, I don't know how much retaking will actually help since AMCAS averages retakes. you would probably have better luck doing really well on your MCAT and demonstrate prowess that way to supplement your upward trend. some programs have a cutoff of 3.2 for secondaries, but you're above that.

what are your extracurriculars like? if those are solid, I say go for it. you can apply to some reach schools like the top 20, but I'd recommend applying to lower tiered schools and possibly considering DO just in case. if you're not open to that, aim for 515+ on the MCAT. focus on the MCAT first and after you get that score back, you'll have a better idea of where you stand.