Course load vs. GPA

[Maschka1]

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Heya everyone!

well I had a bit of a shocker today. went to my first class and found out that even though I had taken the prerequisite course, the school I took it at doesnt cover the same things as my current school. As a result I am not prepared for the course and have very little chance of getting a good grade. Now I am stuck with two decisions. 1) drop the course and go down to 8 credits ( I am also working full time) or 2) keep the course so I have a full course load. Unfortunately there are not any other classes that could replace this one in my schedule. So now I have a dilemma. take the chance of really hurting my GPA ( I am taking post-bac courses to prove I can handle upper division course and improve my GPA) and stay in the course, but still have a full load while working. Or drop it, get a 4.0 for the semester, but only be a part time student.

I have heard so many people comment on the importance of taking full time classes. I am hoping the fact that I work too will factor into that, but I am just really worried. Anyone have any advice? I only have one more semester before I will finish a second degree, so I need to make a well educated decision.

 

[No Imagination]

Normally I would say - drop the course. IMO, GPA>>>>Course Load.

However, an 8 credit semester is pretty weak. While 12 = full time, I always suggest +16 if you want to show off. With that said, if the rest of your semesters are full loads, you can probably get away with dropping it, if you must.

What class is it? In my opinion, with the exception of General Chemistry 1 --> General Chemistry 2, Organic 1 --> Organic 2 and Math classes, pre-requisites are usually garbage. Perhaps you can stay with it. It sounds like you option is, retake the pre-req. next semester, then take the current class the following?

Seems like that will set you back a bit (perhaps a year?). Perhaps you can barrel through it?

 

[Maschka1]

Normally I would say - drop the course. IMO, GPA>>>>Course Load.

However, an 8 credit semester is pretty weak. While 12 = full time, I always suggest +16 if you want to show off. With that said, if the rest of your semesters are full loads, you can probably get away with dropping it, if you must.

What class is it? In my opinion, with the exception of General Chemistry 1 --> General Chemistry 2, Organic 1 --> Organic 2 and Math classes, pre-requisites are usually garbage. Perhaps you can stay with it. It sounds like you option is, retake the pre-req. next semester, then take the current class the following?

Seems like that will set you back a bit (perhaps a year?). Perhaps you can barrel through it?

Well, due to the fact that I work 50-ish (give or take) hours a week, and it is a 3hr drive to school, my last two semesters have been part time (6-8). I was hoping to back down on my work schedule and take a few more credits this semester, but could only get 3 classes to actually fit together in a schedule (on a side note, can schools not figure out how to schedule science courses so they don't overlap???).

So the course is Virology, it is an elective and I was taking it only because it sounded interesting, I don't really need it for anything. Problem is the prerec is genetics. The school I took genetics at didnt focus on molecular too much, apparently this schools basic genetics is very focused on molecular genetics. The teacher gave us some information today and essentially said if we knew it well and worked really hard in the class, then she has it set up so you should get a B. Two problems with that. I want an A and I had no idea what she was talking about through the first 2 hour lecture. So there in lies my issue. I am so frustrated!

 

[quantized]

Drop it. You're working full time and it's an elective - they won't care. The full course load thing is if you are a full time student, not if you're a non-trad doing a post bacc. Only reason I would keep it would be if you were dying for another grade to be added to your GPA and even then if you're pretty sure it will be a B then it's a real meh unless your GPA is below a 3.0.

 

[luplodw]

Agreed.....no doubt, drop it! Get those A's! The whole point of taking more classes is to show that you can handle it? Well then if you screw up a class then you are showing you can't handle it. GPA is most important especially if you are working too!

 

[parietal]

I agree about dropping the course, but maybe take the time instead to brush up on your molecular genetics. It's important stuff and since most vet schools want upper-level genetics, I assume they want us to know it going in.

Most of my undergrad biomed courses assumed a thorough understanding of molecular genetics and cell biology, so you're probably going to need to learn it. And sooner is always better than later.

You didn't get the molecular stuff in micro either?

 

[Maschka1]

It has been over 6 years since I had genetics or Micro, and I know we just breezed over most of it in genetics. So annoyed. I plan to re-take genetics, either way, next semester as I know its important. Unfortunately all the sections are full this semester, or I would just swap the two out.
I have to say I have never walked into a class and felt unprepared before. gosh I hope vet school doesnt feel like that!

Thanks for all your advice, it really helped. My husband just looked at me like a deer in headlights when I tried to explain it all to him. I am so happy to have a forum full of like minded, intelligent individuals to talk to! you guys and this forum have made preparing for vet school so much less daunting. I really appreciate you all 😀

 

[milkmaid]

What was the first lecture on? I know I got lost in Virology when we covered the immune system vs viruses and I hadn't taken immunology yet. But, little bit of work and I made it and did really well. I did really like the class, maybe it's possible to keep it? I'd go to another couple lectures before making the decision to drop it, but there's JMO.