Low GPA Can I Still Apply to Post Bac Programs?

Hi! I am considering a post bac program, but my GPA is a 2.6. I had personal complications during my college career. Some post bac programs require even a higher GPA. Should I even consider/bother going to medical school? I know for a fact that I can do extremely well. in preparing for it. Also, if I can't get in a post bac program, can I take classes at a local University?
_______________________________________________________________
Jason's Reply:

Initially, you need to decide if you want to be a doctor in the first place, because I sense some hesitation with the fact you're not sure if you should consider going to medical school or not. Although, this most likely stems from concerns surrounding your GPA.

Don't let personal complications from your undergraduate career prevent you from pursuing medicine. The great aspect about post baccalaureate programs: they are for all types of students and there are some geared specifically for people who find themselves in a situation such as yours. These are the Academic Record Enhancer programs.

These post bac programs are for students who need another chance to show they can perform at a level required for admission to medical school. Additionally, it will help you to gauge whether medicine is something you truly want to do as well. These post baccalaureate programs can be at two levels: Master program or simply Academic Record Enhancer. If you feel you can perform well now that your personal issues have been resolved I would encourage you to go the Master level route.

To learn more about your options visit: http://www.doctorpremed.com/post-baccalaureate.html

I encourage you to go the Master route because at the completion of your program you will have an advanced degree which can take you places whether you go to medical school or not, also in most of these programs you actually take some of the first year medical school classes too.

Additionally, having a masters in health administration can take you many places within the medical field whether you pursue medical school or not.

You show the persistence medical schools are looking for and I think you definitely should go for it, especially after acknowledging you are confident you can do extremely well.

If you cannot get into a post baccalaureate program taking classes at your local University (and not community college) would be a great way to improve your credentials for medical school admission. When taking classes make sure you take upper division courses in the sciences.

Also note whether the courses are graduate level or simply upper division undergraduate courses because they will have implications on your medical school application. Your AMCAS (medical school application) has a separate GPA for undergraduate coursework and graduate coursework. So if you have already taken a lot of courses as an undergraduate and did not fare well it may be difficult to improve your undergraduate science GPA. Otherwise, taking graduate courses will be great because it will give you a fresh GPA and it will stand alone from your undergraduate GPA.

Medical school admissions officers will consider this when reviewing your application and the graduate GPA can make a huge difference. Why? Because it is grad school so the courses are going to be more comprehensive, you have a new GPA that doesn't consider your past performance as an undergrad, and more importantly medical schools like to see an upward trend in your grades. Therefore, if you have great grades in grad school it will do much for your application to medical school.

Good Luck,

Comments for
Low GPA Can I Still Apply to Post Bac Programs?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 02, 2013
Rating

LOW GPA post-bach
by: Anonymous

My GPA is very low right now at a 2.456 i have a year and a half left to go. My GPA has been low because i have been going through some family problems throughout my college years and I didn't really know what i wanted to do yet and ended up doing really bad in science classes. I am now in a much stable environment,My major is currently Health and Nutrition sciences and and i haven't gotten any grades lower than a B- in courses for my major. If i were to boost my GPA to a 2.7 would i be able to get into a Post-bach program in my college?

JASON'S RESPONSE:

Please request individual advising services through my contact me page if you have a question that is on a personal nature such as your GPA and ability to get into a post-bac program, because your grade trend matters, along with your course of study, where you are enrolled and how many science courses you have already taken.

May 25, 2012
Rating

Low GPA
by: Anonymous

I have an extremely low science GPA of 2.2
I'm also transferring from Bio Sci major to Public Health Science (which almost identical curriculum) due to my low GPA. I have two more year to complete the program. I was considering post-bacc programs, but I was told anything below 3.0 is not possible. I searched on the AAMC website for some schools in California. I have found the lowest so far needs a 2.5, which I'm not sure if it's possible by the time I graduate even with straight A's from now on. However, I'm worried that even if there's post-bacc programs with low requirements. Will these programs be not as good in helping you to get into medical school? Also, should I even bother taking the MCAT? I'm also considering graduate schools, but they seem to have same problem with GPA requirement. I'm at the point where both master and post bacc programs are impossible.

JASON'S Response:
I'm sorry to hear you're having a lot of difficulty with your academics especially in the sciences and you're not sure if there are alternative paths to get you where you need to be.

There are a significant number of variables at play in your question and the best way for me to help you would be to contact me for personalized advising where I can learn more about your background and address each issue raised. Please visit my Advising Services page or Contact Me page because you do have options available to you.

Jun 23, 2011
Rating

How to Get Into Master/Post Bac Program with Low GPA
by: Anonymous

Im currently in the same situation as the low gpa student as an undergrad however my passion to be in the medical field is very strong. My question is which Masters Program would want a student with a low gpa like mine. Yes I can graduate with a Biology degree with the gpa of a 2.8 but what Masters programs will want someone like me with that low of a gpa? Most of the science related Masters programs or even Science/medical related post bac programs require a 3.0 or above. Do you know have any suggestions?

JASON's Response:

If you have a 2.8 GPA you should be able to find a Master/post bac program that is willing to accept you. It may be harder and not the ideal situation but you will need to contact the programs that you are interested in and see if they have a hard cutoff on the GPA and/or if they would even consider your application.

Please realize that most Master/post bac programs realize you are using the program as a stepping stone for medical school so they can be lenient in the admission standards to some extent. Your overall application will be closely reviewed, what comments you provide in your essay, and mostly likely the school you attended will be considered as well. Schools simply want applicants who realize their previous academic performance was not where it should have been, but now you are fully invested to becoming a doctor and you will not take your second chance opportunity lightly.

In short, determine which Master/post bac programs are of interest to you, review their admission criteria and contact the schools to determine if you should apply. I think you may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Especially, if you have not graduated already...having an upward trend in your GPA will really help you for not only Master/post bac programs but medical school as well.

Good Luck,

~Jason

Oct 01, 2010
Rating

Doctorate in Music Performance But Thinking Medical School
by: Anonymous

I have a DM, Doctor in Music. My GPA was 3.8 in graduate school. In 2010,I scored GRE 55 in math, and 25 in English. If I score MCAT higher than 28, would the medical school accept my application? All my chemistry, physics, biology and health education were done in high school. I had 3 computer courses in graduate school, 7 computer courses in college,3 math courses in college, and 3 economics in college. Would the medical school admit me?

Jason's Response: You will need to take the required premedical courses of: general chemistry, biology, organic chemistry, and physics with their associated labs at the college/university level to be eligible for medical school admission.

One route which I would suggest would be to enroll in a post bac program for career-changers, where you can complete the above courses in approximately 1 to 2 years on average.

http://www.doctorpremed.com/post-baccalaureate.html

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to FAQ

Return to DoctorPremed.com