Students and alumni with low GPA’s should repair their GPA’s prior to applying to any health professions program. Professional schools admissions offices often provide information about competitive metrics (e.g. GPA and scores on entrance exams) on their websites. Professional education associations may also provide school guides with information on competitive metrics. Additionally, advisors from the PreMedical and PreDental Advising Office can provide general information about competitive statistics for professional school application, as well as guidance and resources for academic record enhancement.
Academic Repair as an Undergraduate Student
Health professional schools seek applicants who can provide ample evidence of success in demanding, science-based academic programs. Majoring in a life science, or any science, is not necessary, but students preparing to apply for admission to health professional schools will take many rigorous science courses. Science classes at UMBC have a high standard for success, and it is not unusual for students to need to revise their studying and time-management strategies to be successful in these courses. The following academic resources can help students be as successful as possible in their courses:
- CNMS Success Coach: The Success Coach meets with students individually to discuss study skills and time-management strategies for success in the sciences
- CNMS Success Workshops: CNMS Advising hosts weekly success workshops that touch on topics in academic success and professional development in the life sciences.
- Academic Learning Resources through the Academic Success Center: The Academic Success Center provides many academic resources such as SI PASS (Supplemental Instruction Peer Assisted Study Sessions), group tutoring, individual tutoring, and a Writing Center.
- Academic Advocacy through the Academic Success Center: Academic Advocates help students navigate issues (personal, academic, institutional, etc.) that are a barrier to graduation.
- Chemistry Tutorial Center: The Center provides small-group tutoring in chemistry.
- Physics Tutorial Center: The Center provides small-group tutoring in physics.
Academic Repair After Graduation
Below are some resources about academic record repair post-baccalaureate programs, also known as “post-baccs”. While these websites are primarily for a pre-medical student audience, some post-baccs are open to pre-dental and other pre-health students. Check individual program websites for more information about admissions eligibility. Students may also consider application to science-based master’s programs to engage in academic repair. An advisor with the Premedical and PreDental Advising Office can provide guidance on what to consider when weighing the decision of whether to apply to either a science-based master’s program or post-baccalaureate program for academic record enhancement.
- AAMC’s Postbaccalaureate Programs webpage — A wealth of articles and resources about what to consider when thinking about pursuing a post-bacc program, what it’s like to attend a program, and how to find more information about individual programs.
- AAMC’s Postbaccalaureate Program database — Under the “Special Program Focus” pull-down menu, select the “Academic record-enhancer”option, along with any other appropriate filters.
- AACOM’s Postbaccalaureate Program list — A comprehensive list of DO post-bacc programs offered by our nation’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COM). Almost half of the programs offer the assurance of an interview with the sponsoring COM if certain criteria are met during the post-bacc program.