My son graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry (3.2 GPA). He started off in engineering and changed over to Biology which placed him behind the curve preparing for MCATs. So, he has not taken MCATs. We are thinking it would be beneficial for him to attend Pre-Med Post Bacc Program to both build his resume and prepare him to take MCATs.
He just received acceptance into U of Penn and UC Berkley Post Bacc Programs.
I am looking for insights/opinions on attending Post Bacc Programs as a path to Medical School and also which University’s programs might be more helpful.
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he had to spend a good deal of his time taking core biology classes when he would have normally prepared for MCATs
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I think you may be over-estimating the time students spend preparing for the MCAT. My son spent zero time preparing for the MCAT. I know that’s not typical, but I think a more typical student spends some of his summer doing some practice tests.
Why were his grades so modest?
Usually, when undergrad GPA is low, then time is the best solution. The more time that is put between undergrad and applying, the better.
Ophthalmology is a competitive residency. What will your son do if he can’t do that specialty?
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Ultimately, I am not sure if performing well in Post Bacc program and MCATs would outweigh a 3.2 GPA in undergrad.
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Well, it may be his only path to his desired goal.
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just received acceptance into U of Penn and UC Berkley Post Bacc Programs.
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How much does the UPenn program cost? How much does the UC Berkeley program cost? Does he have to borrow to pay for that?
What classes are in a postbacc that weren’t already taken as a bio major??? I thought those were for students who didn’t take the premed prereqs.
Maybe he just needs to do grade-repair at a local school and apply to DO schools.
I assume your son is VA resident. I would suggest that you look for post-baccs with linkages to VA med schools.
Your state med schools are always an applicant’s best chance for an acceptance.
As for specific experiences with post-bacc programs, you might check the Post-bacc forum over at SDN.
http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/forums/postbaccalaureate-programs.71/
My only specific advice would be try to minimize the amount of loans your son needs to take out for the post-bacc. Med school is very expensive and there will be little or no aid except for loans.
After seeing Mom2’s post
ETA: Both D1 and D2 took their MCAT while working more than full time (full time job plus additional part-time jobs) and volunteering 10-15 hours/week. There’s no reason why a student can’t prep for the MCAT while taking classes. It’s what most students do.
ETA: opthalmology is extremely difficult to match into. Your son has to be top performer in med school nationally (board scores, grades, AOA, specialty-specific research with publications, outstanding LORs from opthalmology preceptors and program directors). Only about 70% of those who apply for optho match into it. If he wouldn’t be happy in family medicine or general internal medicine (primary care), he shouldn’t consider med school—period.
ETA: Berkeley is largely an on-line program and because of that really doesn’t provide strong LORs for applicants. Does your son have LOR writers lined up at his undergrad?
ETA: performance at the post bacc is critical. Anything below a 3.8 GPA in the post bacc isn’t going help his admission prospects and in fact may actually hurt them.