What type of Post-Bacc Program Should I Be Considering

[LostInLost]

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Hi,
I know that I need to be going to a post-bacc program but am not sure of which kind (and where). I am a college junior with a low GPA (2.8). I've done well overall except for in science classes. My highest science grades were a B in Physics and a B+ in Human Physiology. I received a B- and C+ in my two semesters of Organic Chemistry, a D+ in one semester of Introductory Bio, a C in one semester of Introductory Chemistry, and I failed Biochemistry. What should I do? Should I go to a post-bacc program in which I would retake all these core classes or what? Should I be doing a one-year or a two-year program. I know I want to get serious and go to medical school, so I'll do anything it takes to get there. Thank you for your help.

 

[MediMama23]

From what I've read, it's not worth it to retake classes in which you got a C or better. AMCAS only averages the two, so if you were able to pull a C up to an A, it would still "look like a B." It shows dedication (I guess) to do this, but your time might be better spent going for upper level coursework and proving your worth in those classes. That D+, however, should be taken.

Consider post-baccs for academic enhancers. These allow for upper level coursework to be completed. There are formal programs, and then there's the "do-it-yourself" route, where you can just go to your state university and take classes. As you're still in college, you might want to try for some upper level undergraduate coursework while you still can.

It doesn't really matter where you go to take these classes. Some people have gone the formal route away from home, some have done the diy route away from home...it's whatever you're most comfortable with doing (and whichever you're willing to pay for, as some methods can get a bit expensive). There have been successes and failures in both routes, so don't think that doing a formal program is going to do better for you than an informal one. At the end of the day, it's about personal preference.

You might also want to talk to some admissions committees at some of the schools you're looking at for guidance. Good luck.

 

[relentless11]

Retaking courses that you got a C or better in has a low potential for yield in terms of MD programs. As MediMama23 said, they count both grades, and you would be expected to get an A the second time you took it. Not many people out there gets a second chance for those types of things. In regards to DO programs, your best grade is used rather than taking both courses.

It is obvious that you need to boost your undergrad science GPA by taking post-bacc, and retake the courses you got a D or F in. If you want try DO programs, then consider retaking courses that you got a C in. Essentially, if you can show an upward trend, as in lots of A's with as few B's as possible while taking a full-time courseload, over at least a year or two, then you may be able to convince the adcoms that you can handle med school. Not to mention do well equally well on the MCAT.

I think your real concern isn't post-bacc, but what events that led you to get a D+ in intro to bio, and to fail biochemistry. Its definately raises some eyebrows when you see a less than average grade in first year bio. Its even more concerning when these grade trends continue in other coursework. You will need to address this quickly, because during post-bacc you should be taking challenging courses and in most cases, more challenging than intro to bio, OChem, or physics. Plus understanding the basic sciences will be very helpful for the MCAT. (of course there's also verbal 🙄 )

For me, I had to work full-time as an undergrad, so my grades were crappy. Actually it was all over the place, and one can map out which quarters I worked a lot. I got a C+ in physiology, and so forth. When I did post-bacc, my work committment was less, so I was able to take harder courses, such as in biomedical engineering, and toxicology. Got A's in them. Today I'm getting all A's in grad/med school level courses as well as A's in elective undergrad upper div courses (including an advanced physiology course). All of these courses are many times harder than the pre-reqs for med school, but more closely resemble med school coursework, and thus provide more value to my upward GPA trend.