What programs are right for me?

[Wakkak]

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I am currently a junior in college and I'm suffering from a poor GPA. I am now considering a doing a postbac program. My question is this: Which program is good for me? I have already taken my premed requirements so I know that knocks some programs off the list (e.g. Harvard's HCP - or can I still apply?). Hence, what are some good programs that I should apply to. Also, I know that some programs require an MCAT score and thus I'm taking the MCAT this August. Should I be taking the MCAT? Is it necessary? If someone could answer these questions it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Law2Doc]

I am currently a junior in college and I'm suffering from a poor GPA. I am now considering a doing a postbac program. My question is this: Which program is good for me? I have already taken my premed requirements so I know that knocks some programs off the list (e.g. Harvard's HCP - or can I still apply?). Hence, what are some good programs that I should apply to. Also, I know that some programs require an MCAT score and thus I'm taking the MCAT this August. Should I be taking the MCAT? Is it necessary? If someone could answer these questions it'd be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The better known (more formal) postbac programs either tend to either be geared toward people who never took the prereqs, or want people with a certain GPA. Most of the postbacs don't require the MCAT, but a lot of SMP type programs do. If you plan to retake a lot of the prereqs in a postbac, you might consider postponing the MCAT until afterwards - I personally would wait unless my GPA was such that a high score would merit application in the current cycle. A variety of postbacs will allow you to retake bad classes or take upper level courses. But a lot of your choices will depend on how poor your GPA is -- worst case scenario is that you can always design your own informal program by taking/retaking science classes someplace.
I'm pretty sure you can still retake the classes you got poor grades in and take upper level classes at HES. It might not technically qualify you for their HCP certificate or sponsorship, but it's open enrollment, so it would be more of an informal post-bac.

 

[Wakkak]

Thanks Law2Doc.

Right now my GPA is around a 3.0 and my science GPA is around a 2.5. I'm going into my senior year so I have some time to improve them but I know that it's going to take a lot of fixing.

I was actually thinking of applying to an SMP program (that's why I'm taking the MCAT) because of my poor GPA. Is this a good strategy or should I be trying to fix my GPA? If I do choose to apply to HES should I just take the courses I did poorly in or just retake all of them? Moreover, how do you recalculate your GPA after taking these courses? Do you just add them on and reaverage your GPA or is there something special you have to do? Also, other than SMP, are there any other postbac programs I should be thinking of? I'm specifically looking for a list that someone could give me listing the postbac programs for those who have already taken the premed reqs...

I know this is a lot but if someone could help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!