Few Questions

[med etudiant]

Salutations. I have a few questions regarding Post-Baccalaureate programs. I had a poor undergraduate career- and am currently looking at Post-Bac programs. I will be graduating in May with around a 3.0cGPA with a non-science degree. All MSAR's have been taken: C- Gen Chem I/ Lab B B+ Gen Chem II/Lab A B- Bio I w/ lab A Bio II w/lab C- Organic I / Lab A- C- Organic II/ Lab B+ B- Physics I w/Lab B+ Physics II w/Lab B+ Call Biology B+ EMT course w/ US license No MCAT. Tentatively planed for Spring 2010 after I work/save/pay for Kaplan. I have been accepted to several Caribbean schools, and I am currently staring at the application for the Atlantic Bridge Program. I'm taking several upper-level science classes now, and have held off graduation an additional year in a desperate attempt to pump up my GPA before graduation (all of my major classes have been completed since last spring.) I don't want to go the Caribbean route unless I have to. I really would like to get into a SMP but even those are a reach with my GPA. What should I do? I searched for Osteopathic Post-Bac but the requirements seem so different for each school? Can anyone give me some worthwhile advice? Thanks!

[gumby]

I know most people don't want to, but you need to take the MCAT. If anything, it will give you a better idea of what your options are. If you do exceptionally well on the MCAT, say 35+, then you might consider a post-bac program. However, if your score turns up only so-so, then I think you may have to bite the bullet and go the Caribbean route. I am the last one to advise taking the Caribbean route... have always advocated going to a US school whenever possible. However, your chemistry grades are really hurting your chances. I was in the same boat, got a C in O-chem I. That was the main sticking point in all my US school interviews. Hope you find a way to get into a US school. If not, the Caribbean route is doable, just more obstacles along the way.

[med etudiant]

Thanks Gumby! I'm thinking of taking a Kaplan course (I know their money suckers) but with classes and work I have almost zero mental/physical energy to study for the MCAT. At least with Kaplan it's structured like a class, to help following through with studying. Earlier this summer I was scoring low/mid 20's on the full length practice exams. I'm hoping after the course and with a lower class load, I'll be able to get the score up. Yea...Chemistry is my worst science!

[med etudiant]

Does anyone know when the typical deadline for Post-Baccalaureate programs are? I'm thinking their usually April? Thanks.

[tegraphile]

I agree that taking a class for the MCAT is a good idea. Gumby is right; you'll need an MCAT score to figure out what your options are.

[devildoc8404]

I second (third?) the above. Prep for and take the MCAT, see how things fly with Atlantic Bridge, and determine things from there, brother. With a strong MCAT score you could still get accepted to a DO school. Heck, I did... and I wasn't a whole lot stronger in the science grades department.

And if you get in with Atlantic Bridge, then I say off to the bonny Emerald Isle with ye, lad!

Good luck and Godspeed with everything...

[med etudiant]

Thanks guys! devildoc- I'm taking my Priesthood classes now as well! Busy semester!