Sorting Out Conflicting Advice as a Premed Student | Ask Dr. Gray: Premed Q&A Ep. 129

Today, our student is looking for clear answers after receiving conflicting advice from medical admissions, doctors, and advisors. We discuss community college, postbac programs, finding a med school that will accept a lower GPA in your past, and more. Listen!
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[@ShinySephiroth1]

I had 77 science credits at a 2.75. After 58 postbacc science credits I am now at 3.058. Long process and a couple of early bumps in the road, but I finally passed that threshold and am so happy to at least not be auto screened at tons of programs.

[@jfree3364]

She should definitely finish the master's program and take the NCE to get her certification and practice as a professional therapist until she is accepted into medical school. My undergrad is in Health Science and my Masters's is in Marriage and Family Therapy. I'm now working on my prerequisite to apply to medical school.

[@ShinySephiroth1]

My #1 pick med school told me they don't care about community college and that they see that both are the same level of difficulty.

[@BigTroubleD]

That’s good to hear. Community college may be my only realistic option given money and time constraints.

[@marriedtoturkey3948]

I’m so relieved for her! I was in a similar position as a nontrad coming back and trying to understand the premed process on my own. Thank God for free resources like this!

[@Djkhalid1234]

The reason post bac masters programs require MCAT is because some of them guarantee you an interview with their school after the program if gpa is good enough

[@gabrielfattakhov9962]

I started at a community college and got my associates in health science and now getting Bachelor's in psych at a cuny. Then hopefully apply to medical school

[@dominickvaldez1963]

Do it. 😉

[@malvarado127]

The last few videos Dr Gray has done have been so helpful! I graduated from UCSD and literally did one of the internships from the last application renovation episode. I’m also a non trad career changer and he’s now focusing on a non-trad discussing post baccs and community college courses. Thank you and please keep up the helpful content!!! Your podcast, KZbin, and discussion page have been a huge help with by post bacc app! So again, thank you!!:)

[@lini4865]

Very informative 👏 thank you!

[@aylinvega2612]

I did both community college for the basic prerequisites for medical school but did a post-bacc that allowed me to do upper division biology courses to further challenge myself and make sure I can handle hard core UC classes. The post bacc for sure cost me a huge loan. I wish I saw this 1 year ago but I do not regret my program luckily.

[@tranagomer17]

Hi Aylin, I’m looking at UC post-baccs right now too. I haven’t taken any science classes. Was thinking of taking community college or UCLA extension classes. What program did you do and was it hard to get in? They all have min GPA requirements. Any advice is much appreciated.

[@linli1951]

Only do postbacc or grad if you know that’s what you want to do and it’s something you’re interested in. Pre med advisors aren’t usually the best but doing a formal postbacc help you connect others that are doing the same as you so you don’t feel alone. Med school loves to know what you’re passionate about and why you did what you did.. that’s all I know so far as someone in a formal post bacc program :)

[@braden8390]

Continue your masters if youre close. Science classes are hard, mcat is hard, no guarantee in pre med. At least you'll have something if an issue or problem arises in your life.

[@joyleenstrozier4295]

Hi Medical School Headquarters, I like your content. I love watching your videos.

[@cathy9279]

Except when the post bacc program guarantees an interview at their osteopathic school if you achieve at least a 3.7 gpa

[@SourChip123]

Thanks for releasing the new book PDF to us today!

[@IMChessMD]

Where can we find it

[@SourChip123]

@@IMChessMD you gotta preorder it on amazon and send a receipt to a link he posted to get the pdf

[@SourChip123]

@@IMChessMD youll get a copy of all his other books as well

[@claireworld_]

Can you do a video about Texas schools? I have found those are different from other schools. Appareantly they have a pre req of 14 credits of biology.

[@betsi9183]

For me I was in a community college and transfer to 4 years university and in the 4 years college I got A in all my classes 😅 it was easier for me

[@ambition1008]

Dr.Gray, what about Post Bacc programs that have ties to medical schools? I wouldn’t completely write off all formal post bacc programs. I have heard plenty of people who were offered a seat in the next class contingent on if they performed well in their post bacc program (assuming all else was okay and just GPA was an issue). Also in some formal post baccs you are interacting with medical school faculty on a regular basis, some who may end up interviewing you. For some that may give them an extra level of comfort during their interviews knowing they are familiar. Not to mention some offer a committee letter once the program is completed.

[@alphaspartan]

Please don't reward bad behavior. Medical schools are using you and everyone is suffering. Postbacc "linkage" programs are a profit center for corrupt admins that crowd classrooms above legally allowed levels. By decree, the school may only be allowed 120 seats to maintain their accreditation. A linkage program stuffs more butts in seats and "technically" they're in a postbacc program, they weren't accepted into one of those 120 seats. But these additional students via the linkage program are sitting in the same classroom with the same professor using up resources like tutors and office hours that the accepted students may need, therefore both accepted and rejected post-bacc linkage students suffer because of limited access to resources. A 120 seat course suddenly has over 200 students stuffed into the classroom. Take my word for it, avoid any schools that offer these types of programs (even as an accepted student) because you will regret it!

[@ShinySephiroth1]

9:35 When do we get the opportunity to explain ourselves if they just screen us without asking?

[@xbubblecrazyx]

How do medical schools view scientific patents and medical publications?

[@anmariee5560]

If you already graduated from undergrad, can you still take community college classes to increase your gpa?

[@jessicarivera4302]

My answer to the last question of why she wants to finish the masters, would be because I want a back up plan in case I don't get into medical school 😔 because you just never know what will happen. It is really nice to have something to put on your wall but like Dr. Gray said, if thats not what you plan to use in your career then drop it.

[@lauren9806]

I recently found your account and your videos have been so helpful! I am currently doing a diy post bacc and I asked a question on the non traditional forum for the medical school hq website under the username Laurencha. I would forever be in debt to you if you could read it and provide a response in any way. Thanks so much for the awesome content, you’ve definitely found yourself a new fan!

[@SqwareCircle10]

Vivian Thomas, a well known in the "blue baby" surgery. would not have been accepted today into medical school because of all the requirements today. It's absurd that non-traditional have to take more classes just for someone on a chair to say yes. There are a lot of great doctors out there that are not doctors and are not giving the same opportunities are others because of their professions, mistakes, illness, and disability, which also includes race and religion. Plus, there is the dumb post-bac, why can't I just get all of the requirements that prove that I can be a doc.

[@aidenmarcelo6098]

Can anyone answer if you truly need research to get into medical school?

[@gingerjuice4053]

Not really unless you're going into MD/PHD

[@berkeleygolfer]

Not a requirement, but still very helpful. You can definitely get admitted to both MD and DO schools without research. If applying MD/PhD, you absolutely need research tho.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

Yeah research is a little overhyped IMO. Its a great experience and you should get involved but you don’t need a ton of publications in undergrad.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

@C B not at all, I was very heavy into research in undergrad and had a publication and senior thesis. Research is important but I have talked to adcoms as well as other med students, and research is important but it isn't this end all be all that it is made out to be. I even stated that the person should get involved with research but I personally believe that your grades, extracurricular experiences, and clinical experiences are more important as they also contribute to your story/narrative.

[@alphaspartan]

Anecdotally, I got in without research. I know others who did as well. Dr. Gray has often said you don't need research.

[@berkeleygolfer]

Naw, it is not asinine; community college is in many cases a joke compared to the university and med schools know it. One thing he didn't mention is formal postbaccs is more than just classes, but some have linkage, some are connected to medical schools and will provide built-in clinical work opportunities, research, and LOR which is not the case for DIY routes. Also, cc just covers lower-div science, so uni level coursework is still necessary for upper divs. for this candidate with zero hard sciences, it would behoove her to take some upper div BCPM level courses.

[@thesneakygamer4343]

I went to CC and did take some upper div science when I transferred as well, but no med school asked me about this. I did get interviews at top 40/30 med schools as well. I did have a good MCAT and great grades when I transferred but the cc bias isn’t as big as it used to be. I have also talked to adcoms about this and they told me that

[@berkeleygolfer]

@@thesneakygamer4343 i would agree with the other comment - a good MCAT will go a LONG way and counter any bias they may have towards CC courses. I've heard Adcoms are far more accepting of people who take CC prior to transferring to a university to obtain their degree. It's much more frowned upon for someone to have graduated from college, career change and only take CC courses as their post-bacc.

[@alphaspartan]

I would just like to add onto this that I strongly discourage anyone from attending a linkage program, or a school that offers one. Unless you like attending mega classes with 200+ students competing to get office hours with the professor/TAs... linkage programs = greed and legal grey area. "How do we expand our class size to 210 students (for the extra tuition money) and still keep our accreditation for only 120 seats? Linkage! Desperate students will allow us to get away with anything, ahahaha."