Advisor is telling me that I can't retake classes?

[Gurame1121]

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Hey everyone,

I just got back from an advisor meeting and I'm a little confused about what she told me.

I didn't do so hot in school my first time around. I earned my associate's through one of those super dual enrollment collegiate high schools (dumb idea), and my early grades reflect those of a high schooler that shouldn't be in college yet. Upon graduating, I transferred to a state university and proceeded to run into a whole series of family problems that came through in my performance. Throughout this time, I was working full time outside of school. After a year, I took my sights off medicine and ultimately graduated with a degree in psych. At that point, I'd taken:

• Bio 1: A
• Bio 1L: B
• Bio 2: B
• Bio 2L: C
• GChem 1: A
• GChem 1L: A
• GChem 2: C
• GChem 2L: B
• OChem 1: C

On top of this, I did poorly in math and managed to fail trigonometry twice so I was never able to move on to physics or calculus. Also managed to get a D in anatomy 2. I know, things looks very rough.

Cut to now. I've spent some time away from physical science. Worked a little outside of medicine. My family problems have more or less passed. I decided that I want to get back on track.

I was admitted for a second bachelor's (will probably not go all the way through with getting it) at my nearest university and went to an advisor today. I was planning on starting fresh and retaking all of my core science classes, even the ones I did well in, but was surprised to hear that this is not an option in my case. The advisor explained that even though I didn't do well in the classes, I did pass them and that I could not retake things willy nilly. She told me that at this point, I just need to pick up where I left off and absolutely demolish the rest of my pre reqs and the MCAT. She said that ultimately, they'll pay more attention to my sgpa than they will to my performance in individual classes, something I'm skeptical about. While I like the idea of paying for fewer classes, I'm a little worried about not redoing some things. I understand that upward trends are a thing, but would this be enough demonstration of one? I'm interested in DO schools, but they can't offer grade replacement if I don't retake the classes I didn't do that well in. Also, is it realistic to think I can relearn what I need to know for the MCAT without retaking classes I took almost four years ago?

On the bright side of things, I have ample clinical/volunteer experience and am getting ready to be an ER scribe. My poor academic performance was not entirely without reason and I have some valuable things to put in my PS.

Thanks for any advice/experience you can share! Sorry for the length!

 

[Goro]

Yet another example of an advisor who has a head full of rocks. She's 100% of the DO pathway and you'll get a lot better advice here in these forums.

So yes, you can retake, and I suggest retaking all F/D/C science course work.

Then look up AACOMAS grade replacement policy, and show it to that ***** at your school called an advisor.

I was admitted for a second bachelor's (will probably not go all the way through with getting it) at my nearest university and went to an advisor today. I was planning on starting fresh and retaking all of my core science classes, even the ones I did well in, but was surprised to hear that this is not an option in my case. The advisor explained that even though I didn't do well in the classes, I did pass them and that I could not retake things willy nilly. She told me that at this point, I just need to pick up where I left off and absolutely demolish the rest of my pre reqs and the MCAT. She said that ultimately, they'll pay more attention to my sgpa than they will to my performance in individual classes, something I'm skeptical about. While I like the idea of paying for fewer classes, I'm a little worried about not redoing some things. I understand that upward trends are a thing, but would this be enough demonstration of one? I'm interested in DO schools, but they can't offer grade replacement if I don't retake the classes I didn't do that well in. Also, is it realistic to think I can relearn what I need to know for the MCAT without retaking classes I took almost four years ago?

 

[Goro]

Yet another example of an advisor who has a head full of rocks. She's 100% of the DO pathway and you'll get a lot better advice here in these forums.

So yes, you can retake, and I suggest retaking all F/D/C science course work.

Then look up AACOMAS grade replacement policy, and show it to that ***** at your school called an advisor.

I was admitted for a second bachelor's (will probably not go all the way through with getting it) at my nearest university and went to an advisor today. I was planning on starting fresh and retaking all of my core science classes, even the ones I did well in, but was surprised to hear that this is not an option in my case. The advisor explained that even though I didn't do well in the classes, I did pass them and that I could not retake things willy nilly. She told me that at this point, I just need to pick up where I left off and absolutely demolish the rest of my pre reqs and the MCAT. She said that ultimately, they'll pay more attention to my sgpa than they will to my performance in individual classes, something I'm skeptical about. While I like the idea of paying for fewer classes, I'm a little worried about not redoing some things. I understand that upward trends are a thing, but would this be enough demonstration of one? I'm interested in DO schools, but they can't offer grade replacement if I don't retake the classes I didn't do that well in. Also, is it realistic to think I can relearn what I need to know for the MCAT without retaking classes I took almost four years ago?

 

[Goro]

Yet another example of an advisor who has a head full of rocks. She's 100% of the DO pathway and you'll get a lot better advice here in these forums.

So yes, you can retake, and I suggest retaking all F/D/C science course work.

Then look up AACOMAS grade replacement policy, and show it to that ***** at your school called an advisor.

I was admitted for a second bachelor's (will probably not go all the way through with getting it) at my nearest university and went to an advisor today. I was planning on starting fresh and retaking all of my core science classes, even the ones I did well in, but was surprised to hear that this is not an option in my case. The advisor explained that even though I didn't do well in the classes, I did pass them and that I could not retake things willy nilly. She told me that at this point, I just need to pick up where I left off and absolutely demolish the rest of my pre reqs and the MCAT. She said that ultimately, they'll pay more attention to my sgpa than they will to my performance in individual classes, something I'm skeptical about. While I like the idea of paying for fewer classes, I'm a little worried about not redoing some things. I understand that upward trends are a thing, but would this be enough demonstration of one? I'm interested in DO schools, but they can't offer grade replacement if I don't retake the classes I didn't do that well in. Also, is it realistic to think I can relearn what I need to know for the MCAT without retaking classes I took almost four years ago?

 

[kenjixshadow]

Goro triple spammed this thread. Alrighty.
On the serious note, something is up with SDN today. I keep getting disconnection & lag whenever I click on a thread or post a reply, which then turned into multiple replies like Goro did here.

Anyway, OP, your advisor is dumb. Listen to Goro. He's like a semi-god for pre-med.

 

[el_duderino]

Some schools do not allow you to retake classes you've already passed. Has nothing to do with med school applications.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Some schools do not allow you to retake classes you've already passed. Has nothing to do with med school applications.

Then find a new school if thts the issue. Retakes raise your gpa much faster than anything else. DO schools do allow grade replacement, make sure that you cn take advantage. Get a new advisor. Dont retake any Bs or As

 

[sunshinefl]

Some schools do not allow you to retake classes you've already passed. Has nothing to do with med school applications.

I was going to say the same. A lot of schools have policies that you can not retake classes you have passed. Sometimes though you can, but you will pay OOS tuition at a state school because they feel the taxpayers are not responsible for you repeating a passed course.

 

[DrMidlife]

This is not good advice from the adviser. Which is what you usually get from premed advisers, who only really know what to do with squeaky clean premeds who don't actually need any help.

Your total cumulative GPA including all classes taken is what's considered in MD school applications. If you retake classes, DO schools will forgive the old grade in GPA calculations, but all your grades new and old are on the class list. Any GPA listed on a transcript is completely ignored - GPA calcs are done class by class when you apply.

So there is no fresh start (unless you're a TX resident, if so, google "Texas Academic Fresh Start" and don't get too excited because it takes a decade of work).

As you consider whether to stay at this school or go elsewhere, consider that you need:
1. to retake any prereqs in which you got less than a B
2. to take a massive fresh boatload of hard classes, mostly science, that allow your cumulative GPA to improve (but understand that it will never improve very much)
3. a multiple year strong academic performance that can be fairly compared to the traditional undergrad premed work.

There are longer term options after you're done maxing out your undergrad cumulative GPA, such as one-year terminal masters degrees hosted at med schools, where you do some of the first year of med school to demonstrate you can handle it. You need a good MCAT to get into these programs, which are called SMPs (special masters programs) or medical masters.

Best of luck to you.

 

[dorothyntoto]

I think after I graduate and go through residency, I will apply to one of my local colleges just so I can give better advice to UG students about medical school...