After much thought and deliberation I have finally decided I want to apply to a post back program, however, I need help in deciding which one will best fit my needs.
I graduated from a top 10 university in the US one year ago and have since worked in the business sector. In undergrad I had a 3.4 cum gpa and a 3.2 science GPA, I graduated with a double major in Neuroscience and Public Policy.
I have most of my premed courses completed but I still need to take orgo and biochem. I definitely want to be in a program that will boost my GPA and preferable one that has linkage options as well.
Realistically, if you just take 12-15 credits of organic chemistry and biochemistry and earn A or A+ grades in them, you may raise your GPA to something like 3.45 overall / 3.35 BCPM (assuming 120 credits of graded courses taken previously, half of which were in BCPM), which does not look too good for medical school admission (or even interview) chances. You probably need a lot more BCPM courses with A or A+ grades in order to get your BCPM GPA up to something that will not prevent you from getting to the interview stage.
(BCPM = biology, chemistry, physics, math; see https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/article/course-classification-guide/ )
Sounds like you’ve completed too many science pre-reqs to be considered by any career-changer post bacc programs. You need a academic record enhancer.
AMCAS has a searchable data base here: https://apps.aamc.org/postbac/#/index
But because some people have complained the database is non-intuitive to use, here’s an easier to use list of post-baccs:
http://manoa.hawaii.edu/undergrad/pac/health/post-bacc-special-masters-programs/
You’ll need to go through the list to find out which offer linkages.
IIRC, non-SMP academic enhancers with allopathic linkages are in pretty short supply: maybe just NYMC,Temple, and USC. The rest with linkages are SMPs–which require that applicants have completed all their pre-reqs, have the necessary pre-med ECs completed and usually require a current MCAT score as part of the application process.
If you’re open to osteopathic medical schools, you’ll have more choices.
Be aware that there is NO financial aid available for basically any of these programs. You will not be eligible for federal student loans unless you are enrolled in a degree-granted program.
Thanks! I have also noticed Wash U and Penn have academic enhancement programs with linkages. Do you think I would be a competitive applicant for the programs that you mentioned/ the Wash U and Penn programs?
Try checking out SDN’s post-bacc forum—I can’t link but google “SDN+forum+post-bacc”
However, I agree w /ucbalumnus–it would be more cost effective to do a DIY post bacc. If you can get your GPA/sGPA into the 3.5/3.4 range you’d be in an excellent position to apply DO.
The UPenn and WashU programs have reputations as being real meat grinders.
For orgo and biochem you can take in any state schools. Make sure to get an A in them. You also need to do well in Mcat as well, so start to prep for it.
Here is interesting admission statistics from Rutgers-NB students ( in 2017) who matriculated to a US medical or DO schools with grade distribution-
https://hpo.rutgers.edu/resources/admission-statistics
It seems that low GPA candidates (3.0-3.5 range) have a ray of hope after graduate work to secure an admission in a DO school (most likely) or Medical school.