Could use some advice on whether to repeat this course or not?

[WildEMDoc]

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My freshman year I got a "C" in Biology II. I have an opportunity to repeat this course this summer (before my junior year). My only qualm about doing this is that the repeat course is online, and I'm not sure if that is worth retaking since it is online.

Since I am a biology major I will be taking more biology classes and have done well in the ones I took so far, I attribute the grade in Biology II to freshman slacking. So it isn't like I would be losing out on my pre-reqs. Repeating this class could raise my GPA for MD schools .5 points or so, which could be significant.

So I guess my real question is will it matter if it is online or not, I know it will still count but how will it "look".

 

[Longshanks]

If you've done significantly better in your upper level bios (A's and A-'s) there shouldn't be a reason to repeat it intro bio 2, unless you are applying to DO schools and want to replace the grade. Otherwise, continue doing excellent in upper levels, since mathematically its the same since AMCAS doesn't replace grades. What bio material was bio II for you? If it was intro to cell & molec, and you've taken a 300-level cell & molec or biochem and did A- or better I'd say you're fine. No one's perfect, and if you had one bad semester but everything else is top notch then hopefully you get past it.

 

[silverhorse84]

It may raise your GPA by 0.5 now, but after the next two years of school, it'll be a much lower significance to your GPA - especially if you do well in your other classes. Including myself, I know people who've applied and been accepted to schools with a C on their transcript (heck, I had one in an upper division bio lab). The fact that its a freshman year class works for you, the fact that its a prereq works a little against you, but if you do well in upper division bio, then that will show you've grown and have learned from whatever it was that led to the C.

 

[Sesom]

Find out what professor teaches this biology class and then search that professor on ratemyprofessor. Then you will see if you should take a online summer class from that professor .

 

[WildEMDoc]

Yeah Biology II was cell bio/molecular, and I'm not entirely sure that I will be taking the upper division one because it just never really fits in. I will be taking some biochem and have taken genetics but those are not exactly the same thing but they will be the closest I get.

I guess the main reason I'm considering repeating this class is that I only have 2 C's on my record from freshman year, this and Chemistry I, so if I do see and opportunity I figure why not get these off or at least made to look a little better.

Also I plan to apply to teach a student lead workshop in Biology I or II and I think having a C in there might ruin my chances for that.

 

[TreeOfSouls]

Sounds like you have enough reason to retake the class. Whether or not the "C" is removed from your transcript, getting a higher grade the next time around shows that you mastered the material. OTOH, a high score on MCAT bio will accomplish the same thing. You'll have to do a cost/benefit on this one!

Yeah Biology II was cell bio/molecular, and I'm not entirely sure that I will be taking the upper division one because it just never really fits in. I will be taking some biochem and have taken genetics but those are not exactly the same thing but they will be the closest I get.

I guess the main reason I'm considering repeating this class is that I only have 2 C's on my record from freshman year, this and Chemistry I, so if I do see and opportunity I figure why not get these off or at least made to look a little better.

Also I plan to apply to teach a student lead workshop in Biology I or II and I think having a C in there might ruin my chances for that.