Can I raise my bcpm GPA by taking courses at a community college?

[virtuoso735]

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I graduated this spring with a BS in biology, but my GPA is quite low. I would like to attend a postbacc, or even take a few classes at the local state university, but I don't have a job, so I don't have any money coming in, so really the only option is to take classes at a local community college. Will this looked down upon, and will it even help my undergrad GPA? I've heard that some DO schools are okay with CC credits, but I don't want to do it if it won't help.

 

[Goro]

It's Ok if you take a few classes at a CC, but you're going to need to show us that you can handle some rigorous courses. What's your hurry? Get a job, work a few years, save up some $, and then head for a post-bac program.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

yes it will look bad. not because they are CC credits, but because you did poorly at the university level. If you do well, they aren't going to speculate that you got your act together. CC credits are sometimes considered less rigorous and they are likely to speculate that the CC classes were much easier.

normally I would say a few CC probably won't hurt you, but in your case, it would show that you can't handle university level classes which isn't good. maybe i am being too harsh and it wouldn't be too much of an issue, and you honestly don't know until you apply. i would just hate to see you apply and get burned bad.

 

[flodhi1]

I graduated this spring with a BS in biology, but my GPA is quite low. I would like to attend a postbacc, or even take a few classes at the local state university, but I don't have a job, so I don't have any money coming in, so really the only option is to take classes at a local community college. Will this looked down upon, and will it even help my undergrad GPA? I've heard that some DO schools are okay with CC credits, but I don't want to do it if it won't help.

You definitely need to get into a postbacc program. I think CC will not help at all. The ADCOM could take you performing well in CC as an excuse that you couldn't handle University level courses but did okay in a CC.
Apply for financial AID, Financial AID is still open for postbacc programs matter of fact I filled mine up last week.

 

[Back 5]

Due to my circumstances of working full-time as well as teaching, I can only take night classes. My local University does not offer night courses, therefore, I have to take CC classes.

Hopefully this will not be looked down upon. Nothing I can do about it.

 

[virtuoso735]

Questions:

1) Is doing a few classes at a time at a university, rather than a full-blown postbacc program, looked down upon as well?

2) Are there any postbacc programs still accepting applications and financial aid forms?

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Questions:

1) Is doing a few classes at a time at a university, rather than a full-blown postbacc program, looked down upon as well?

2) Are there any postbacc programs still accepting applications and financial aid forms?

don't know number 2 but for number 1, it depends on what else you are doing. if you are working full time it generally isn't an issue. but if you are working 10 hours a week and taking 1 class, it is a problem.

 

[scummie]

Dude, I retook classes when I applied at CCs and got A's and B's. My schedule just couldn't work out with the local university. No one ever asked or cared. The important thing is to get good grades. How low of a GPA are we talking here? That will make a difference in the advice you get. Have you taken the MCAT yet?

 

[SoulinNeed]

I'm currently taking classes at a CC. I would recommend that you contact specific DO schools that you would like to apply to, and see how they feel. Most that I contacted said that they didn't care. IMO, though, it depends on the situation. I did well in the prereq classes that I took at my university, but I decided late on medicine, and graduated before I could finish my prereqs. I'm taking Orgo now at a CC.

That's my situation, though, but my recommendation to this is to contact specific schools, and see what they say. They will be honest with you, and more accurate than people on here.