What's better? Post-bacc or research?

[QBWR12]

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First time post. I'll try and keep this short. I'm an undergrad student in my 5th year (changed majors, studies abroad one semester) and I'm applying for med school this June, but since I'm graduating I have to figure out what to do with my year off. I'm confident with most things (plenty of volunteer experience and ECs, taught physiology and orgo II, predicting a 31-34 on the MCAT based on practices), but I have a overall GPA of 3.54 and a BCPM of 3.36 (low because of a bad first year of college due to extenuating circumstances but have gotten 4.0 or near 4.0 for the last couple years). Obviously my biggest concern is my GPA, so I've been considering applying for the Loyola M.A.M.S. program but it's $30,000/yr!! Also, I've heard some mixed reviews about the program.

However, this week I was offered a very interesting neurophysiology research position that I would be able to do for the full year off instead, with the possibility of even being published a couple of times.

Basically, do I have a shot with the GPA and experience I have now or would the M.A.M.S. program really help? And what would be a better experience for med schools to see? A year of post-bacc with a near 4.0 or research experience with publication(s)? Thanks! 🙂

 

[1956Goldtop]

post-bacc probably to raise your bcpm closer to the mean.

 

[QBWR12]

bump! Sorry! I just really need a couple opinions on this. I've gotten various feedback from the people I usually go to about these things...

 

[Bond8204]

post-bacc probably to raise your bcpm closer to the mean.
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I wouldn't invest the money in a post-bacc until you know that your science GPA is too low. If your stats and EC's are as good as you indicate they are, and you have a good upward trend GPA (as you indicated you did), then that 3.3 science GPA might be sufficient, especially if you went to a good undergrad institution. I'd apply very very broadly.

Here's what it comes down to: It's worth investing a couple thousand this year while gaining experience and cash as a researcher than to invest tens and tens of thousands of dollars into a program that you might've been able to get into medical school without.

Get a research position. If you don't get in, get a great LOR from the research position and enroll in the post-bacc to improve your GPA.

However, this week I was offered a very interesting neurophysiology research position that I would be able to do for the full year off instead, with the possibility of even being published a couple of times.

Edit: I just read this paragraph. Getting published research isn't only huge for getting into med school, it's huge for getting into residency. You'd be dumb not to take the research gig...the person above doesn't know what they're talking about. Apply early and broadly and see what happens. Worse case scenario: You get mad research experience, make money, and have to go through the post-bacc next year (hopefully without going into as much debt bc of your research money)

 

[aaj117]

I don't mean to sound idealistic, but i see no reason that you can't do both. I'm in my "year off" right now and just finished applying to medical schools. I worked full time doing clinical research, and then took post-bacc classes at UPenn at nights. It's a strenuous schedule, especially when traveling for interviews, but I figure med school will be strenuous as well and I'm not happy if i'm not busy 24/7. Last semester I took 3 courses in addition to working full time, and it worked out for me but i'd recommend only 2. If you're applying that year, it won't affect the GPA that med schools see when they're deciding if they interview you, but they will see that you're putting in the effort to raise it.

 

[QBWR12]

I forgot to add, the position is only going to start off as an assistant basically (I've never done research before) and won't start out as a paid position, but since I'll be here all summer, I can spend 20+hrs/wk in the lab and they said I'd be able to be as involved as I am willing to put into it. Does that change anything?

 

[sunny1]

I don't mean to sound idealistic, but i see no reason that you can't do both. I'm in my "year off" right now and just finished applying to medical schools. I worked full time doing clinical research, and then took post-bacc classes at UPenn at nights. It's a strenuous schedule, especially when traveling for interviews, but I figure med school will be strenuous as well and I'm not happy if i'm not busy 24/7. Last semester I took 3 courses in addition to working full time, and it worked out for me but i'd recommend only 2. If you're applying that year, it won't affect the GPA that med schools see when they're deciding if they interview you, but they will see that you're putting in the effort to raise it.

I totally agree with aaj117. Take the research position and take about 2 science classes in the evenings (or during the day if your job is flexible with hours in the office). Calculate how much 4-5 science classes of As will raise your GPA.

This way, you'd be in an even BETTER position to wait a year and then apply. A year really isn't that long and you're still young. I don't know that any of this will really positively impact your application for this year though...what kind of schools are you thinking of applying to?

 

[sunny1]

I forgot to add, the position is only going to start off as an assistant basically (I've never done research before) and won't start out as a paid position, but since I'll be here all summer, I can spend 20+hrs/wk in the lab and they said I'd be able to be as involved as I am willing to put into it. Does that change anything?

Hmm...are you sure you'd be included in any publications? Did they tell you this or did you ask and they said sure? Keep in mind publications can take a while depending on the study. Finishing the research, writing it, submitting it, etc...this might take longer than a year to get something published with your name on it unless you luck out and they are already close to being done with a study and let you help with it. Or they do a case report or publish a literature review or something and let you help with it.

Perhaps it would be best to continue informally taking upper level science classes to raise your GPA. If you like this research opportunity, are ok with not getting paid since you have no prior research, and it interests you, then might as well give it a shot. I'd personally probably look for something paid (like clinical research), but beggars can't be choosers. If you feel strongly there's a chance of publication and you will learn valuable skills, then go for it. Like I said though, the impact of these experiences (bumping up GPA and research experience) likely will be greater if you were to apply for next year rather than this one.

 

[UFMed]

I wouldn't invest the money in a post-bacc until you know that your science GPA is too low. If your stats and EC's are as good as you indicate they are, and you have a good upward trend GPA (as you indicated you did), then that 3.3 science GPA might be sufficient, especially if you went to a good undergrad institution. I'd apply very very broadly.

Here's what it comes down to: It's worth investing a couple thousand this year while gaining experience and cash as a researcher than to invest tens and tens of thousands of dollars into a program that you might've been able to get into medical school without.

Get a research position. If you don't get in, get a great LOR from the research position and enroll in the post-bacc to improve your GPA.



Edit: I just read this paragraph. Getting published research isn't only huge for getting into med school, it's huge for getting into residency. You'd be dumb not to take the research gig...the person above doesn't know what they're talking about. Apply early and broadly and see what happens. Worse case scenario: You get mad research experience, make money, and have to go through the post-bacc next year (hopefully without going into as much debt bc of your research money)

I agree with Bond on this one. Your GPA isn't too bad considering you've probably been on a wave of good & steady grades. Plus, you haven't been officially told that your GPA is too low. GPA averages are averages, with some below and above. A candidate with solid research experience, possible great LORs and a well-rounded education (switched majors/studied abroad) would most definitely have a good chance of getting in. Considering you do well on your MCAT and apply early you'll save yourself 30k 😎

And I second the other above posters...you could always do both- just don't over do it so you can focus on the application process itself.

 

[Bond8204]

I forgot to add, the position is only going to start off as an assistant basically (I've never done research before) and won't start out as a paid position, but since I'll be here all summer, I can spend 20+hrs/wk in the lab and they said I'd be able to be as involved as I am willing to put into it. Does that change anything?

...Wait...but what about after the summer. Will it be a full time paying gig then? If it's still 20 hours a week of free labor, you'd be smart to either get a night job to pay rent/bills (bartend, wait tables) or if money isn't an issue (living with your parents or parents willing to subsidize your year off) take a few upper level science courses at the local college to boost your GPA.

It's kind of ****ty for your research friend to offer you this gig but not offer you pay. You'll be spending an entire year off--research would no longer be an extracurricular, it would be a job.

I dunno...that muddles things considerably. I still don't think you should be spending $30,000 on a postbac you don't know you need, though.

 

[QBWR12]

Hmm...are you sure you'd be included in any publications? Did they tell you this or did you ask and they said sure? Keep in mind publications can take a while depending on the study. Finishing the research, writing it, submitting it, etc...this might take longer than a year to get something published with your name on it unless you luck out and they are already close to being done with a study and let you help with it. Or they do a case report or publish a literature review or something and let you help with it.

Perhaps it would be best to continue informally taking upper level science classes to raise your GPA. If you like this research opportunity, are ok with not getting paid since you have no prior research, and it interests you, then might as well give it a shot. I'd personally probably look for something paid (like clinical research), but beggars can't be choosers. If you feel strongly there's a chance of publication and you will learn valuable skills, then go for it. Like I said though, the impact of these experiences (bumping up GPA and research experience) likely will be greater if you were to apply for next year rather than this one.

I was told that the lab I'd be working in puts out 2-3 publications per year and that I would definitely have the ability to be on at least 1 or 2 of them in that amount of time. Even though it might take a while I suppose I could always say I'm on a publication in progress in my interviews...But yea, the impression I got was that I would be able to put in a lot of work and contribute significantly in a year's time and definitely get in on a publication.

 

[QBWR12]

...Wait...but what about after the summer. Will it be a full time paying gig then? If it's still 20 hours a week of free labor, you'd be smart to either get a night job to pay rent/bills (bartend, wait tables) or if money isn't an issue (living with your parents or parents willing to subsidize your year off) take a few upper level science courses at the local college to boost your GPA.

It's kind of ****ty for your research friend to offer you this gig but not offer you pay. You'll be spending an entire year off--research would no longer be an extracurricular, it would be a job.

I dunno...that muddles things considerably. I still don't think you should be spending $30,000 on a postbac you don't know you need, though.

I still have to sit down and discuss the position in more detail once/if I choose to accept it. If there is money it would definitely be after the summer. I have a feeling that I could earn a paid position by then, especially with the amount of time I plan to contribute this summer. I was DEFINITELY planning on working nights, and even possibly keeping the OChem teaching position I currently have to make some money. I won't be rich, but it'll get me by. I'd also plan on maybe taking some (1-2) upper level bio courses as a non-degree student on the year off to work on improving science GPA a little bit, in addition to volunteering. There's also an EMT class on campus that I wouldn't mind taking to become certified on my year off to get some practical experience.

 

[pride4jc727]

If you need to boost your undergrad GPA (i.e. under 3.5) go with the post-bacc. If the weakest part of your app is a lack of research experience, then do research.

 

[Bond8204]

If you need to boost your undergrad GPA (i.e. under 3.5) go with the post-bacc. If the weakest part of your app is a lack of research experience, then do research.

...did you read the rest of the thread?

I still have to sit down and discuss the position in more detail once/if I choose to accept it. If there is money it would definitely be after the summer. I have a feeling that I could earn a paid position by then, especially with the amount of time I plan to contribute this summer. I was DEFINITELY planning on working nights, and even possibly keeping the OChem teaching position I currently have to make some money. I won't be rich, but it'll get me by. I'd also plan on maybe taking some (1-2) upper level bio courses as a non-degree student on the year off to work on improving science GPA a little bit, in addition to volunteering. There's also an EMT class on campus that I wouldn't mind taking to become certified on my year off to get some practical experience.

EMT's totally pointless unless you're going to get significant time working as one. Otherwise I think it sounds good and you've got it pretty well figured out:

1) Work nights etc. to pay the bills. Keep in mind it will cost about $2-3000 to apply for med school, travel for interviews, etc.

2) Take this research position. Getting 1-2 publications isn't only great for getting in for med school, that's something you can put on residency applications. It's beautiful. I'd try to keep talks alive to get you a little compensated during the year, but if you can make money anyway, good for you.

3) Taking a few upper level undergrad science classes and getting A's in them is a nice way to boost that GPA without doing a crazy expensive formal post-bacc. You're talking spending hundreds or low thousands vs. 30,000.

4) Good about the volunteering! Don't overstretch yourself though--make sure you're still enjoying having weekends while you're still not in med school.