don't bother with o chem. Unless you are specifically applying to a school that requires a certain math/science GPA, it doesn't matter....you just need your pGPA to be as high as possible. Also remember, if you take the class next fall, the schools will not even see the grade until December. For many schools, they may have already made interview decisions. So to be strategic, it sounds like you may want to target schools with later admissions deadlines so you can wait to apply until after that grade is in and/or use the academic update to get the grade in before decisions are made. ***I've stood on this soapbox before so search around on this forum....you can't count on fall grades to help at all if you apply before then. Consider taking a ton of summer classes and then applying in September after grades are posted.
I would not take kinesiology or psych either unless it is a specific pre req for you. Are there any other pre reqs you got a C in (besides Chem I)? What about B-'s? If so, that should be your next choice to retake. My next recommendation (if all your pre req grades are high) is to tackle any recommended courses from the schools you are applying to. After that, what I did was take a billion cheap easy, online courses only to boost my cGPA.
I echo the thoughts of a poster above me, you need to be very strategic with your cumulative GPA. This is not a case where you should cast a wide net and apply to a ton of schools. Many schools won't give you the time of day and you will be cut in the first round. (I was in your shoes too). I recommend looking at a variety of things to include how GPAs are calculated, if there are specific preference admission factors at work, which schools value the pGPA higher than the cGPA, schools that value the GRE. Honestly, you are going to have better luck at the private schools too which (in my opinion) tend to be a little more holistic in evaluating their applications. I asked about your graduation year because it's often easier to overcome a low cum GPA if you have worked for even a few years before applying. Again, in my opinion only, if you have "bad" grades that are fresh (i.e. in the last few years), it's harder to work the "I've come to my senses and i'm a different person now" scenario. If you just have bad grades from freshmen year and great grades until graduation, I think you will be OK.
