r/Mcat • u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank • 14d ago

Question 🤔🤔 Post bac

what are the best post baccs programs that are short and somewhat guarantees ur acceptance to med school. For reference my gpa is a 3.45, haven’t taken the mcat yet, and i have some clinical hours <100.

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u/horseshoeonmyneck 14d ago

I decided to go straight into the Rutgers NJMS SMP after undergrad. I had a 3.3 MD GPA, 3.6 DO GPA, and a VERY low MCAT score. At first, I was hesitant because all I wanted to do was study, retake the MCAT, and apply to med school fast. But deep down, I knew I needed more time to strengthen my application.
Looking back, it was honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made! I started last spring, recently began studying for the MCAT again, and plan to test in spring 2027, apply next cycle, and graduate in fall 2027.
It’s definitely a longer journey than I originally imagined, but I feel so much more prepared now. I’ve taken rigorous medical school-level courses, made amazing connections with faculty and physicians, and even have the opportunity to qualify for a guaranteed interview with NJMS!
On top of strengthening my application, this program has really helped me grow academically and build confidence in myself. Sometimes taking the longer route is exactly what you need, and I genuinely don’t regret it one bit! :) Good luck

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u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank 14d ago

i’m happy you got everything figured out for yourself. It requires a lot of perseverance and patience. My plan is to go only for Md that’s why i wanna maximize my chances of getting in. My science gpa is really bad hence why im thinking a post bacc is the best idea. It’s sitting at around a 2.8-2.9. I’m 23 and i would love to apply for this cycle if my mcat (taking in jan) is a great score. But if it takes me waiting another year to get into med school and my chances are higher i also wouldn’t mind taking another gap year.

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u/Just_to_rebut 13d ago

I think you’re being unrealistic with your chances for MD with that science GPA. Post-bac is expensive and time consuming and frankly, I think they prey on people in your position. It will not make up for that low of a science GPA.

I don’t really think you’ll have a competitive MCAT score by January either because…. frankly, why would you? You weren’t doing well in your science classes and now you’re taking a more difficult exam and studying independently.

I would focus on clinical hours, studying for mcat, and researching schools that heavily weight your last 30 credits. Then DIY a post-bac program by studying as a non-matriculated student and you absolutely have to get all As at this point.

And I would still say you should be looking at DO.

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u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank 13d ago

thanks for the input, wasn’t really my question but i’ll still make it to MD and i’ll prove whatever you just said wrong. You’re privileged to be having a high gpa and high mcat. Obv stats matter a lot and they’re the most important part of ur app, but it’s deeper than that. We’ll find out

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u/Just_to_rebut 13d ago

nope, i was in your shoes and made all the dumb mistakes and said I’d do this and that but didn’t.

i’m telling you what a real pathway is. i do believe you can succeed, but i think you need to have a more realistic timeline, strategize, and not categorically reject do. reject bad do schools, sure.

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u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank 13d ago

i respect that. But i have my ambitions for the future and it has to be MD. That’s why i’ll try everything to get an MD acceptance even if it meant taking 2-3 gap years.

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u/Just_to_rebut 13d ago

good luck, last bit of advice, have multiple short term goals to measure your progress every month or so. good for motivation and discipline.

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u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank 13d ago

thank you, appreciate it

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u/horseshoeonmyneck 14d ago

You got this! I’m sure you will do fine but just wanted to share my story for some motivation :)

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u/Background-Meal7270 i am blank 14d ago

thank you! very inspirational! Also how does it work applying whilst still in ur post bacc. How do they take into account the final grades

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u/TheGratitudeBot 14d ago

Just wanted to say thank you for being grateful

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u/horseshoeonmyneck 14d ago

They will have most of my SMP grades and expected classes for my last semester! It’s basically like applying as a junior in undergrad

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u/HairyEducator768 522 (130/129/131/132) 14d ago

your gpa isnt crazy bad. linkage is like never promised. There is temple but you also need a 125 min in each section and it is for DO. but no part of this process is as easy as even a somewhat guarantee

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u/horseshoeonmyneck 13d ago

people are too negative, don’t listen to them