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Question re: post-bacc programs
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:12 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse OK so I initially didn't want to do Med School bc Med School = real work, real responsibility, real sleep deprivation.
But now I am 26 and burned out of BigLaw and dangerously unmotivated by the law.
I applied to/was accepted into grad school (MS/PhD track) and made a commitment to UVA for next yr.
However, the more I think about it, instead of going MS/PhD in a medical-related area, I think I would like to investigate Med School possibilities. I just see myself as more hands-on the more time that goes by. Also, one of my dislikes for law/law school was the distance between theory and practice. This is why I want to see if there are some good post-baccs out there. If it was the right situation, I wouldn't mind putting 2 yrs into a post bacc followed by 4 yrs med school and probably another 4 residency.
I left NYC last fall after being there for law school + BigLaw 1st yr. I'm in DC/VA area now, working in DC. Does anyone know of any good post-bacc's in this area? Also, does anyone have any info on programs that offer auto-admission to med school if you complete the post-bacc with a stated GPA (probably 3.5, whatever)?
BTW, my UG GPA was ~3.0 at an HYP but my science grades were B's and a C+ in ORGO and my first 2 yrs of college in general are a huge blur (I basically never studied, never went to class, partied a lot, and played a sport). So I would be retaking more or less everything (except math, but it's been 5 yrs so maybe I'd retake multivar calc).
Any info appreciated.
Links are good, too. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:13 PM Author: buff elastic band You came to the right place! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569270) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:14 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse where do you suggest i ask? i actually trust xoxo ppl to be brutally honest. i also think (know?) that at least 3-5 other ppl on this forum have thought about the same question. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569276) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:14 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy studentdoctor.net (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569280) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:15 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ty (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569284) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:16 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy I'll answer some of your ?s since I've been researching this myself (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569288) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:36 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse which t14 have you gotten into so far? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569678) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:20 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy Gtown is supposed to have a good post-bac. I'd find a cheaper program. For example, Columbia is 32k a year, but Hunter college (nyc) is 4k a year. Both are well respected post bac programs.
Many of the post bac programs have linkages (auto admission to med school), but the linkages are not guaranteed at all, and it is only for the cream of the crop for each post bac class. It is not realistic to achieve.
Unless you've already done some of the premed requirements or could manage a suicide science schedule, you're looking at two years of post bac, then 1 lag year waiting to get into school. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:25 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse What do you think of Gaucher College post-bacc? Ideally if I do this I'd like to stay in DC/MD/VA area bc my gf is a law student down here. Also, I don't want to go back to NYC if I can avoid.
Is Hunter College post-bacc highly thought of? Would it be hard to get in?
BTW, not necessarily interested in any linkages unless they're guaranteed for a certain GPA (3.5 and a 30 MCAT, etc). If they're not guaranteed up front, its like law school--i.e. crap shoot
I'm willing to consider almost anywhere for Med School, if I go.
I recently realized that MS/PhD was a default position--I wanted to leave BigLaw but wasn't prepared to go after Med School. Now I am thinking my plan was a half-assed "out" strategy. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:31 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy After all of my research into post-bac's (and I've done a lot considering if I do it I will be giving up a t14 admission), I've concluded that post-bac name does not matter as much as how you do in the classes. Bs at columbia post-bac are not better than B+ at a lesser name. Therefore, it's best to go to the cheapest program (public schools), unless you can do the requirements in 1 year: Chem in summer, then bio/physics/organic yr round along w/ taking the mcat that spring). Many people complete the requirements at schools with no formal post bac program. I think you have an advantage going to a school with a formal program, or at least an advisor, because then you can get god counel on the admission process. I've been researching mostly nyc and boston schools, so I don't know much about gaucher. There is a post-bac specific forum on student doctor.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&f=71 |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:39 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse could you even get into med school with just B+'s?
wouldn't you need A's or A-'s? with maybe a B+ or 2?
also, how low of a ttt state school can you go to?
i'll use Baltimore as an example bc my gf goes to law school in MD. instead of going to JHU post bacc, are you saying if i went to U Baltimore and got like a 3.7-3.8, i would be just as good/better off than going to hopkins?
where would you draw the line? clearly CUNY seems to be OK in NY at least... but is that an exception or is that the rule?
so basically i had 2 questions: 1) my impression is, witha post bacc, you need like a 3.8 2) do you think if you go to a public non-competitive school it needs to be the top public (i.e. UMD or UVA) or is a lesser public OK?
tyia |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:45 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy I think Johns Hopkins is one of the few best programs (if not the best) so that would be the exception. Also, I think admissions there is competitive (even interviews), and they have better linkages.
Yeah, you're aiming for a 4.0 in post bac (especially if your ug gpa is around 3.0--avg. successful app to med school is about 3.6), but there are many more variables in med school admissions than in law school. They actually care about interviews and extra-currics.
Science classes are the same everywhere, that's why it doesn't matter if you just go to a big state school. There are going to be hundreds of people in the class and it's on a brutal curve. However, you can't do the pre-reqs at a community college.
I think prestige of post bac school matters (marginally), but it is more important to excel in the courses. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:53 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse it is weird bc i have taken some very advanced science classes (pathophysiology, immunocompetence/immunology, pharmacology, varius statistics classes) yet my pre-reqs to get into those classes were B/B-/C+ grades from undergrad.
these sufficed as pre-reqs bc i took the classes at UMDNJ (a school not nearly as good as my UG) which would let just about anyone into the classes. at the same time, for med school i'd need to go back and get A's in the basic classes classes, obviously. yet, i have earned ~3.6 in the more advanced classes taken after leaving college.
i appreciate your advice. where are you looking at for post-bacc? where did you apply?
do they look at SAT scores? would i have to re-take? i took mine on a 1600 scale and got 1590 but that was in 1998. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:58 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy If I do it, I'll probably go to hunter college. I think some might ask for sat scores, but you definitely would not have to retake. Everyone is basically admitted on the grounds that they have a B.A. For example, I don't even think you need recs for most programs. My sense is admissions to most of the programs are rubber-stamped, ecept for the ones that want your money, like columbia and JH. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:04 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse i have emailed with people from my UG about this and they said the same thing--go to Rutgers or Hunter College (in NYC area) and don't waste the money on Colum or JHU
what's your sense of how "low" I could go though?
just your sense? i will obvi do my own research... but do you think that Gaucher or U of Baltimore or Towson State (etc) are bad choices? I know their tuition is more along the lines of Hunter and I will ask them where their grads apply/get in... but just wondering your sense... Should I stick to UMD or George Mason or is a "lesser" public OK... |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:05 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy This is from the prebac forum. Gaucher is a fine choice.
This is an attempt to consolidate some of the most commonly asked questions on the post-bac forum into one thread so that people can access this info easily. Disclaimer: the author, LoneCoyote, is a post-bac who had no science background, took the classes at state school, and has been accepted to med school. The answer are slanted towards med school, but the basic ideas can also apply to pharmacy, dental school, etc.
1. What are the different types of post-bac programs available?
Essentially there are 3 different types of post-bac programs:
1. Basic Sciences - this type of program is for people who have not completed the basic requirements for medical school and usually are people who majored in something else in college and decided to go into medicine later. The coursework can be done in a formal post-bac program, ie Bryn Mawr program, or on your own at your local university. This is discussed further later in the FAQ.
2. Advanced Sciences/"GPA Boosters" - this type of program is designed for people who were science majors or who finished the basic science requirements already and i) want to "stay on their game" academically on glide year or before applying to med schools, or ii) feel they need to raise their GPA to become a more competitive medical school applicant. This can also be done at formal programs, or on your own.
3. Special Masters Programs - these programs are one-year masters degrees (usually) that allow you to earn an MS in biomedical sciences or a related field. They are usually done by people who have a science background and are looking to make their application more competitive, for GPA or other reasons.
2. How do I decide which type of program is right for me?
In the end which program is the right "fit" for you is a personal decision. But here are some things to think about :
What type of program best fits your goals? Do you need to raise your GPA or take sciences for the first time?
How do cost and location factor in for you? Are you willing to take out loans to do a more expensive formal program? Are you able to relocate to do this? Can you afford to go to school full-time or do you need to both work and go to school?
What type of environment do you learn best in? Would a more structured atmosphere help you achieve your goals? Do you need smaller/larger class size? Do you like to be surrounded by competitive/motivated individuals who share your goals?
Will the program give you the ability to do the other things necessary to have a competitive application? Will you be able to get volunteer opportunities in clinical settings, research experience, access to professors who can write you strong letters of recommendation?
What is the schedule of the program like? Is it structured or do you design it yourself? How long does it take to complete? Does the program offer linkages to med schools?
Do current students in the program seem happy/satisfied with it? Do people get accepted to schools that you see yourself going to out of the program?
3. Okay, I thought about all that but still don't know if I should do a formal program or just do it myself at state university. Are their any advantages to doing one way over the other?
This topic is hotly debated as you'll see in threads on this forum. There is no concrete answer because it depends on the individual's situation. That said, here are some of the commonly mentioned pros and cons of each:
Formal Programs:
Pros - these programs tend to have a set schedule to get you out in a certain length of time (usually 1-2 yrs). You usually have special advisors for the program to help you out with the process, finding volunteer opportunities, planning how to study for the MCAT, etc. Some of the "big name" programs, ie Harvard Extension, Columbia, Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Mills, Scripps, etc., have good reputations and get a lot of people into school. Some of them have small class sizes and you get good opportunities to connect with professors. Some will write you a committee letter of rec for med school. You'll be surrounded with people who share your goal and will work hard to get it. Some progarms have linkages to med schools. If you do well enough you can get directly admitted to med school and skip the lag year.
Cons - The cost is what many see as the biggest con with these programs. With the exception of Harvard Extension, most of them are pretty expensive. Some people feel that these programs create a competitive, "gunner" atmosphere where people are all striving to do better than each other on the tests. Quality of teaching, advising, research and clinical opportunities, can be hot or miss, as with any school. Linkages may not be guaranteed and may be hard to get if you are not in the top of the class.
Do It Yourself At State School:
Pros: Usually cheaper than going to a formal program. Flexible schedule that you design yourself. Many schools will give you access to their premed advising and letter services. If you're at a large state school research opportunities can be very good. If you're a serious, older student at a school that has a more "party" feel to it, it is easier to network with professors, get lab jobs, etc. since you will be more focused than many of the students.
Cons: you have to arrange everything yourself. It may be hard to get into classes you need depending on your registration status. Quality of opportunities varies and may/may not be as good as at a formal program. If you need structure and competitive people around you to do your best, this may not be the best way to go.
4. What are the "top" programs?
This is another topic that can cause some debate. But some of the programs that are mentioned often on SDN and seem to have name recognition are:
East: Columbia, Bryn Mawr, Goucher, UPenn, Harvard Extension, Temple, Tufts, Drexel, UConn, CUNY-Hunter
South: Wake Forest
Midwest: UChicago ( http://grahamschool.uchicago.edu/cre...aring/gsal.cfm ), Loyola, Northwestern
West: Scripps, Mills, USC, SFSU, CSU-Hayward
Special Masters Programs: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/sho...special+masters
5. I am changing careers and I feel old. How long will this take me? How should I schedule it?
Usually the post-bac takes 1-2 years, depending on how many classes you need to take and how many you can take at a time. Some of the formal programs get you through in one year.
Something to keep in mind is the "glide year." When you apply to medical school you will start the application cycle about 15 months ahead of when you want to start school. For example, to start med school in Fall 2004, you applied in the cycle beginning in June of 2003. Traditional applicants apply during their junior year of college so that they can do the process during their senior year and start the next fall. For most post-bacs this is not an option because you need to have finished most of the prereqs before you can apply. This is what leads to the glide year between the end of post-bac and the start of med school. If this is an issue for you, you can look into programs with linkages to med schools that let you skip the glide year. Or you are planning to take 2 yrs to do post-bac anyway, talk to an advisor and see if you can arrange your schedule to avoid the glide year.
Also keep in mind that while it can be tempting to load up on classes, science classes can be very demanding. If you are also trying to work/research/volunteer it is very easy to get overloaded. This is bad if it makes your grades suffer.
Also, remember that the MCAT requires a lot of studying. So be sure to consider that when making your schedule for the semester/quarter that you will be prepping for the test.
6. If I do post-bac at a state school can I still do it in a year?
Yes, it is possible on a semester system. Here's a mock schedule:
Summer Session 1: Gen Chem 1 with lab Summer Session 2: Gen Chem 2 with lab
Fall semester: Biology 1 with lab Physics 1 with lab O-Chem 1 with lab
Spring semester Biology 2 with lab Physics 2 with lab O-chem 2 with lab
That's the minimum. Then some schools want one or more of the following: Calculus Statistics Biochemistry Genetics Cell/Molecular Bio
7. Where can I get more info on a specific program?
A lot of the more popular programs have been discussed on this forum so try doing a search for the name of the school. This can give you good info about how current and past students liked/disliked the program. Also, the AAMC has a good post-bac site with all of the programs:
http://services.aamc.org/postbac/
Also, the Health Professions Advisory Program at Syracuse U. has a fantastic site for getting information on post-bacc programs (Thanks Denali!):
http://hpap.syr.edu/LISTPB.HTM
8. What if I have a question not answered on this FAQ?
Try searching through the old threads on the forum and see if it has been discussed. If not, post and someone will probably get back to you soon. There is some great info and resources on this forum so hopefully it will help you on your post-bac journey. Good luck
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:11 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ty ty i am going to print that out and use it as a starting point. i didnt realize that goucher college was a top program. ty for answering my questions as best as you could (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569572) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:12 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy no problem. I will be obsessively researching this crap until august. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569577) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:17 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse wouldn't you have to make a decision between t14 and post bacc by like may? or are you going to wait until the week before classes and hold spots at both?
--- what is the last date you can apply to Hunter's post bacc for fall? just wondering... do i have time so I can get that in now while i'm still thinking about it? |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:33 PM Author: Apoplectic library puppy Few post bac schools have competitive admissions (although some, like johns hopkins, do. It's about what you do once you're in. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569383) |
Date: February 8th, 2007 7:18 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk What is your UG degree in? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569303) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:19 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse Economics (math track)
I switched from Mol Bio bc I had good math grades but I was pwned by science classes that required labs and I almost never went to my own lab bc of sports practice (like, I would make the labs up on Fri afternoon by myself bc I couldn't be in class on the afternoon of my actual lab time). Switching to Econ helped me raise GPA from 2.7-2.8 or something like that to about 3.1 by the end
it's from P |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:20 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk Out of curiosity, why medicine, as opposed to anything else? Originally planning on medschool and changed your mind? Or is this a new development? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569322) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:29 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse I originally clearly wanted to go to medical school but lacked maturity and direction in college. Then when graduation came up it was go to LS or go to post-bacc, I saw BigLaw $$ and chased that.
Why medicine? Do you mean as opposed to law or academia? Not sure what you mean? I am not interested in academia and very jaded by law at this point. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:31 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk I meant as opposed to anything but medicine...what type of law are you in? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569373) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:33 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse have done general litigation and antitrust (regulatory) (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569386) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:35 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk Just wondering. I did a year of a med program (it was one of those 3+4 programs) but I REALLY didn't want to be a doctor. So now I'm heading into patent law, mostly biomed. Hopefully that will satisfy my science side. If not, see you in med school. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569394) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:43 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse what do you think i would need in terms of Sci GPA + MCAT to get into med school?
do you think if I scored about 33-34 on MCAT that would erase any doubt stemming back to bad UG grads in the '99-'02 time frame?
how many post baccs did you know in med school?
did they seem happy?
how many of them were ~28 or 29 in 1st yr?
tyia |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:50 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk Because I was in that program, I knew a lot of people in my class when I got there, so I didn't really mingle as much as I could have - plus I wasn't there long at all. There were definitely some late-20s something in there - they stuck together but honestly, not much of a difference in late 20s and mid 20s. There was more of a break between JUST graduated and those that took off for a few years.
I don't remember any post-baccs. Sure there were some though, because I remember one guy being an EE.
www.MDApplicants.com is a pretty useful site...just put in similar GPA and see where people got accepted and with what MCAT. It's pretty much the med equivalent of LSN |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:58 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ty
very helpful
do you use AIM at all? i dont at work but i do at home, and if you dont mind sometime this spring i might have a few questions...
i'm still thinking about it at this point. a couple things have just happened that have stirred me up and made me think i might want to re-think my options. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:06 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk texASSxoxo
I'm on occasionally. If not, just shoot me an email at TexASSxoxohth@hotmail.com
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:11 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ty again. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569574) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:20 PM Author: impertinent beta national you got into a decent phd program with a 3.0?
btw, are you pauliewalnuts? |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:28 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse yes. (btw, PhD programs are not universally competitive... i'll throw out Epidemiology as an example. it comes down to research interests, experience, and solid but not amazing grades)
I took a few (6) of classes after graduating (while in Law School). I took them at a nearby state school with a very good program in the area applying to.
I'd rather not say what Dept I was admitted in, b/c these programs are small and not looking to out self. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:39 PM Author: impertinent beta national i know that it's usually necessary to attend a top program if you want to go into academia, but if you go to a strong program that isn't considered "top", can you still go into industry? (i'm talking about science/engineering phds) (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569418) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:48 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse i want to go into industry (clinical trials) or back into BigLaw as 'of counsel' for regulatory (FDA matters). another option was using my econ background and law experience to do consulting for one of the big consulting firms in this area.
lately though, it seems that these are half-assed attempts to get out of the associate grind for a few yrs and re-emerge with an extra degree and the associated credibility. it would take a good several years to do this and that, among other things, makes me think i might be better off sinking in a few extra years and going to med school |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:48 PM Author: 180 Masturbator Jewess why do you hate biglaw so much? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569462) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:06 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse do you not read xoxo at all?
do you not realize that 2/3 of BigLaw associates are out of BigLaw by like year 4? and a very real % of those leave law entirely |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 7:51 PM Author: Khaki giraffe hall I hear the JD may actually count against you. Partially because your interviewers all hate lawyers, but mostly because of the "quitter" syndrome.
Calculate your science GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Math & Physics) and number of hours. Then figure out how much of the prereqs you still need, what GPA you expect to get, and work out what your weighted science GPA will be, because that's the one that matters. If it's below 3.6, you better study your ass off for the MCAT. If it's below 3.4, hope you like being a lawyer. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:01 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse if i re-take chem in '07 (say, fall) won't my Chem grades from HYP from 1998-99 be replaced by the new ones?
why would they avg the two grades? wouldnt they just take new grades?
also, i understand the JD hate. i have already seen that in my previous applications. it's real, for sure.
my point would be, i have worked on health law (pharm defense) cases and i have seen many medical files and it made me realize the importance of good medical care and good medical science. also the need for ethical and strong doctors/researchers.
can you answer my first question (re: grade replacement)? |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:09 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk "my point would be, i have worked on health law (pharm defense) cases and i have seen many medical files and it made me realize the importance of good medical care and good medical science. also the need for ethical and strong doctors/researchers."
That's a very good reason to spout off in interviews, actually. One of my law profs went from law to medicine for this very reason (after medmal defense). He's now a practicing neurologist. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:15 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse my concern is mostly that going to a post-bacc for 1-2 yrs and then not getting into med school is not an option for me.
do you think that my earlier grades (from UG) would be replaced by the post-bacc grades?
i.e. my B from General Chem I ('98) would be repaced by my new grade from General Chem I ('07)
??? |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:16 PM Author: Know-it-all Business Firm Science grades are good for 7 years, so you're in luck. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569604) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:19 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse sweet, my last science classes were in spring of '00, after which i declared as an econ major and took only math/econ more or less
really appreciate your input
starting with a fresh slate >>> having to overcome a littany of past B's and below |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:40 PM Author: Khaki giraffe hall dood, I hate to burst your bubble but this guy is misunderstanding. Prereq grades no longer fill requirements after X (possibly 7, I forget) years. They are always counted into GPA. In other words, organic from 10 years ago does not cover your orgo requirement but it goes into your GPA. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569704) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 10:14 PM Author: Contagious generalized bond "Prereq grades no longer fill requirements after X (possibly 7, I forget) years. They are always counted into GPA. In other words, organic from 10 years ago does not cover your orgo requirement but it goes into your GPA."
PWN3D! |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 10:27 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse i'm hardly pwned. i never took physics, i did well in math, and chem and O chem were probably in the high 2.8 range. if i just take everything and do pretty well (3.7ish) it should put me around 3.5
i cant see getting an MCAT below 33ish and that will get me in places. i will be shooting for mid/high 30s obviously, and i should kill the verbal section
if i take 2 yrs at this pt in my life to do this, i'm going to nail it. but thanks for being an a$$hole anyway |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:19 PM Author: Motley juggernaut milk I think it w (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569618) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:27 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569648) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:53 PM Author: ungodly maize locus hahaha your shitty ugpa never dies |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 10:06 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse keep pissing me off. everytime i post about BigLaw keep reminding me of my shitty UGPA... this will give me the necessary motivation to pwn the premed reqts (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7570119) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:38 PM Author: Khaki giraffe hall AMCAS averages grades. It's actually marginally nicer than LSAC - the grade is weighed to the credit load of the class, not the sum of them (i.e. A+C is 3 credits of B for AMCAS and 6 for LSAC). (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7569691) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 8:45 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse but wouldn't an old grade just drop out entirely? like a grade from 99 or 00 would drop out by the time I applied (probably summer/fall 08 if I do it)?
i dont see why grades from 8-10 yrs ago are relevant to an application? |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:02 PM Author: Khaki giraffe hall I don't think they're relevant personally, but medical school is not like law school. soft factors matter and they don't forgive. if you fuck up, ever, they don't want you.
there is absolutely 0 chance that any grades are going to "drop out". DO schools (as opposed to MD) allow course replacement instead of averaging and are way easier to get into, but you're stuck in primary care for the most part. you can probably get your science GPA above 3.4 if you do well, though, which might get you into your state school with a good MCAT. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:10 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse i have seen several profiles on MDapplicants.com that seem to contradict this. in particular, i have seen ones where the person entered MD school at 28 after retaking almost all their science requirements. they kicked ass and got into some solid schools.
i can explain the bad grads (7 yrs ago now, 8-9 yrs in the past at time of app) pretty easily. my first two years of college were really bad. i can see them wanting an explanation on that (i had to write an explanation of my awful FR and SOPH yrs for my law school apps too) but when they go to calculate Sci GPA i can't see them pulling down A's with B's and C's from 7 yrs ago.... if they do that, it means i'm screwed forever.
what is your experience that tells you they dont drop old grades? someone else said science grades only count within the last 7 yrs. thus, med schools dont want someone who took Orgo 7 yrs ago and got an A to be entering the med school. so if they wont accept A's from 7 yrs ago, why would they factor in B's and C's from 7 yrs ago?
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:13 PM Author: Khaki giraffe hall because medical schools do not calculate your GPA. you must provide all transcripts to AMCAS and then they will calculate your GPA, science GPA, postbacc GPA, etc. medical schools will go off this, and AMCAS does not drop grades. medical schools decide if you meet their prereqs or not and some choose to require organic/physics/etc be taken within the last X years to be eligible for acceptance (while others do not).
retaking allows you to fix some mistakes. if you got a C but retake with an A, its like you got a B in the class. which isn't going to save you if you got a bunch of Fs, but can help people with like a 3.0 get up to a 3.5. i don't care if you believe me or not, but planning on amcas dropping old grades would be retarded even by xo standards. |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:22 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse ok now i believe you. i just wanted to know your familiarity with the process.
fwiw, i would have looked into this anyway, but i'm trying to footnote a stupid memo right now anyway.
so i really appreciate your input and straight forward answer.
if i was dead-set on a 'prestigious' med school, i would be stupid to bother. as it is, i am OK with the middle-of-the-pack schools such as large state medical schools. i'm also OK with places off the beaten path.
i just wanted to see what you knew.
ty |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 9:56 PM Author: ungodly maize locus http://www.uag.mx/medicine/default.html (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7570051) |
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Date: February 8th, 2007 10:05 PM Author: Umber odious macaca crackhouse LOL FU! (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=577272&forum_id=2#7570108) |