Are Extra BCPM classes worth it?

[AspiringDoctor9]

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Hi guys,

I'm new to the forums, but registered because I need a bit of advice. I'm starting my 4th year at the University of California, and thought about going to medical school. Needless to say, my science grades are not so hot, and I already know that I need to raise my science GPA. Would you recommend taking extra science classes to raise it, or retaking the core classes I did poorly in? Maybe you have some other advice? My GPA is 3.6, Science GPA is 3.1 (ouch). I have not taken any other courses than the core requirements (chem, ochem, bio, physics). Help please? Thanks guys.

 

[DieselPetrolGrl]

dude im thinking about doing that..someone give us some advice..i need mine before next wednesday so hurry
should i take bio 109..lol im a bio major 3rd yr wooo..intro bio will rock my gpa!

 

[Grumpy Bear]

You should definitely take some upper-level classes for several reasons. Doing well in upper-level science classes will have the desired effect of convinving adcoms that you do indeed know what you need to know, and that you've figured out how to do well in science classes. In addition, it's often easier to do well in more advanced bio classes, etc., because profs aren't trying to weed you out by setting a really low mean. In smaller classes there often isn't a curve, and you can really shine if you put in a reasonable amount of effort. New science classes are more likely to keep your interest than a class that you've already taken (and presumably weren't crazy about anyway). And as Alleria mentioned, you'll get a definite MCAT boost if you have had the extra exposure to things like biochem and genetics. So sign up for a class that really catches your interest, and throw some extra energy into kicking the MCAT's butt in the areas for which your GPA is weak. Good luck and have fun!😎