Classes after undergrad

  • Thread starter Thread starter gmcguitar4
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gmcguitar4

So I need to take a few classes to compensate for a lower GPA. I have talked to advisers and was told that both post-bacc and separate classes taken after you graduate do NOT contribute to your undergrad GPA. They are regarded as separate GPA's.

So I would like to take a few upper level bio classes to show MD/DO schools that I can take these classes and do well in them. From previous threads I have posted the best advice for me was to take classes and do well in them. Here is my question, are online courses not regarded highly among admissions committees? I would like to take summer courses but no schools around where I live offer anything except for basic Bio and orgo chem over the summer.
 
Hey OP. First of all what your advisors told you regarding your overall GPA is not fully correct. For AACOMAS your grad GPA and undergrad GPA will average together. So taking grad classes WILL boost your GPA. For AMCAS however this will not boost your GPA.

I had a 2.45 undergrad GPA and a 3.75 graduate GPA when I graduated with my masters. My AACOMAS GPA was just shy of 3.0. I was accepted, but unless you are taking "grade replacement" classes ( I took none) your GPA wont go up that drastically. I think my MS was like 70ish credits.

As far as online classes go. Its hard to say...but I am going to go with the assumption that ADCOMS wont really see that as adequate unfortunately. I have no evidence to base this on but is just my opinion as someone who went through the process of applying and getting accepted to medical school TWICE (health issue=withdrew my first acceptance(s).

Why are you only looking to take summer classes?
 
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As an fyi, grad classes are different from postbacc classes and postbacc classes are counted the same as undergraduate classes taken after graduation. Undergraduate GPA is counted from all undergraduate classes taken (including post bacc) while grad GPA is in a different column and is figured separately.

I don't know how online classes are viewed but I assume they are seen as B.S.

I'm just wondering, but why do you feel the need to take upper level courses and not just repeat the science pre reqs? Replacing a C with an A can bring up your numbers pretty quickly.
 
Not to hijack your thread, but I've got a question. I'm graduating from undergrad this May, but I'm planning on taking Organic Chemistry I & II, Physics II, and an upper level Bio class (probably Cell Biology) during the summer and fall sessions at UIC as a "Non degree Grad student". None of these are Graduate level classes, so I'm wondering how will AACOMAS and AMCAS view this towards my GPA?
 
thanks for the replies!

I am looking to take classes over the coming summer/fall/spring, but since summer deadlines are approaching for a lot of schools I just wanted to ask about them. As for retaking classes, I have already retaken 3 classes over the course of undergrad and do not want to retake anymore because I heard retaking too many classes is a red flag for MD application. I am going to apply to both MD and DO but I am leaning more towards MD so I do not want to damage my application.

As I have researched, most schools do not offer higher level summer courses. They offer like general bio and organic chemistry. So more then my overall GPA, I am looking to uptrend my science GPA. If I took 4-5 upper level science courses I would raise my science by .2-.3 points, assuming I get all A's...which I will😎.

But back to my original question, I agree with you guys that taking online courses is probably not the best choice and would be a waste of $$.
 
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