Which would be better for me? Post-bacc or SMP/

[Hov92]

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Hello everyone, first time poster here.
I just recently graduated with a BS in Biology from a California state school.
I transferred from a community college to the university with a cGPA: 2.910
Since transferring I managed to obtain a zig-zag upward trend
1st year of transfer GPA: 3.9 (if you include an upper division science summer school class) or 3.87 (without the upper division class)
2nd year of transfer GPA: 3.5
3rd year of transfer GPA: 3.96
The classes I took at the university were mostly upper division science classes.
Also, with the exception of the first quarter of my 3rd year, the rest of my final year's GPA has been due to me being admitted to a full time stem cell research internship/scholarship program (Even though I am not attending classes at my university for the internship, I am still enrolled in classes at my university for the internship which count towards my GPA)


My final GPAs are:
cGPA: 3.29 @229 units
sGPA: 3.12 @158 units
GPA solely at my university: 3.77 @124 units

I am currently studying for the MCAT and plan on taking it either mid or late January.

I know I am not a competitive applicant for MD schools so I am willing to enter a program to boost my stats. The only thing is I don't know which route to take. Post-bacc or SMP?
Right now I am leaning more towards a SMP (I know they are high risk, high reward) because I don't think a post-bacc will help my undergrad GPA all that much since I graduated with 229 units. However, it still might help my sGPA.

Can someone please give me some advice???

 

[Big Tall Doctor]

Solid trend at your university, mad jealous of your stem cell research (mine didn't have one). I think you just need to rock a solid MCAT, and maybe keep a couple SMP acceptances on standby. But I am not an ADCOM. @Goro @Moko

 

[Alkain]

Hello everyone, first time poster here.
I just recently graduated with a BS in Biology from a California state school.
I transferred from a community college to the university with a cGPA: 2.910
Since transferring I managed to obtain a zig-zag upward trend
1st year of transfer GPA: 3.9 (if you include an upper division science summer school class) or 3.87 (without the upper division class)
2nd year of transfer GPA: 3.5
3rd year of transfer GPA: 3.96
The classes I took at the university were mostly upper division science classes.
Also, with the exception of the first quarter of my 3rd year, the rest of my final year's GPA has been due to me being admitted to a full time stem cell research internship/scholarship program (Even though I am not attending classes at my university for the internship, I am still enrolled in classes at my university for the internship which count towards my GPA)


My final GPAs are:
cGPA: 3.29 @229 units
sGPA: 3.12 @158 units
GPA solely at my university: 3.77 @124 units

I am currently studying for the MCAT and plan on taking it either mid or late January.

I know I am not a competitive applicant for MD schools so I am willing to enter a program to boost my stats. The only thing is I don't know which route to take. Post-bacc or SMP?
Right now I am leaning more towards a SMP (I know they are high risk, high reward) because I don't think a post-bacc will help my undergrad GPA all that much since I graduated with 229 units. However, it still might help my sGPA.

Can someone please give me some advice???

A PB isn't going to move your GPA much. It would show a continued upward trend in your grades (which you already have).
I'd do the SMP, ideally one with linkage.

You'd be okay for DO with that upward grade trend. MD or DO is going to hinge a lot on your MCAT now though.

 

[Hov92]

Solid trend at your university, mad jealous of your stem cell research (mine didn't have one). I think you just need to rock a solid MCAT, and maybe keep a couple SMP acceptances on standby. But I am not an ADCOM. @Goro @Moko

Yeah, I am currently looking into BU MAMS, Cincinnati, Case Western, Georgetown, Tufts, and Duke.

 

[Moko]

Seems like you've turned your academic record around. Great job. Depending on your MCAT, you may not require further coursework, provided that you apply broadly and smartly (i.e to places that are more receptive to reinventors like yourself). Applying to a SMP as a backup also would not be a bad idea as others mentioned. A post bac is not going to show us much at this point.

 

[Hov92]

A PB isn't going to move your GPA much. It would show a continued upward trend in your grades (which you already have).
I'd do the SMP, ideally one with linkage.

You'd be okay for DO with that upward grade trend. MD or DO is going to hinge a lot on your MCAT now though.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Hov92]

Seems like you've turned your academic record around. Great job. Depending on your MCAT, you may not require further coursework, provided that you apply broadly and smartly (i.e to places that are more receptive to reinventors like yourself). Applying to a SMP as a backup also would not be a bad idea as others mentioned. A post bac is not going to show us much at this point.

Thank you. Appreciate the advice!

 

[Goro]

Seems like you've turned your academic record around. Great job. Depending on your MCAT, you may not require further coursework, provided that you apply broadly and smartly (i.e to places that are more receptive to reinventors like yourself). Applying to a SMP as a backup also would not be a bad idea as others mentioned. A post bac is not going to show us much at this point.

Agree 100% with my wise colleague.