I'm graduating with my BS in biology this May. My grades haven't been too great. I had below a 3.0 most semesters with grades ranging from A-F and my overall sGPA and cGPA are both about a 2.9. I got mostly Bs and C in my introductory and upper division classes with not much of an upward or downward trend. I've heard about grade forgiveness so I was thinking of retaking my low grades at my local community college. I calculated that if I retake all my lower division classes and get all As I can bring my cGPA and sGPA both up to a 3.5 with grade replacement. Does this sound like a good plan or do you all recommend I do something else? Will the grade replacement still apply even though the retakes are after graduating with my degree? Will adcoms be suspicious of doing mediocre basically every semester at a prestigious university and then suddenly getting all As at a community college? If so, can a good MCAT score help get rid of doubts I'm not prepared for med school? Has anyone had success doing something like this?
Does my plan sound good?
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If you look through this forum, there are many many people who have done retakes after graduating and have gotten into med schools.
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How are your classes going in your last semester?
Before you embark on a post-bac/gpa redemption plan, I encourage you to take some time off school/the path to medical school. The longer the gap between your sub-par performance in undergrad from your post-bac the better. Work/experience life, build a strong work ethic, time management, establish new hobbies and so on and so forth (pay your bills/taxes too...etc). While you are out in the world working, you need to seriously reflect/address the reasons why you didn't perform to the best of your abilities in your BS in Biology.
If you quickly throw yourself back into (the lions den) hard undergraduate science classes without addressing the deficits in your first academic career, you will be shooting yourself in the foot. I suggest you go to the post-baccalaureate forum and look for the thread "The **NEW and Improved** official low gpa thread" its on the second page. Spend as much time as you can reading/taking notes of the transformation of posters that were successful in overcoming their past.
Before you embark on a post-bac/gpa redemption plan, I encourage you to take some time off school/the path to medical school. The longer the gap between your sub-par performance in undergrad from your post-bac the better. Work/experience life, build a strong work ethic, time management, establish new hobbies and so on and so forth (pay your bills/taxes too...etc). While you are out in the world working, you need to seriously reflect/address the reasons why you didn't perform to the best of your abilities in your BS in Biology.
If you quickly throw yourself back into (the lions den) hard undergraduate science classes without addressing the deficits in your first academic career, you will be shooting yourself in the foot. I suggest you go to the post-baccalaureate forum and look for the thread "The **NEW and Improved** official low gpa thread" its on the second page. Spend as much time as you can reading/taking notes of the transformation of posters that were successful in overcoming their past.
I have As, Bs and Cs in my classes right now. I'm already signed up to start summer school at my CC and feel confident I could do well in lower division classes since I've taken so much more science classes since then. I can't really take time off since I don't have a job lined up after graduation.
I'm currently doing what you're planning. As long as you're applying to DO schools, cc courses do not matter - take them and ace them. SDN can be helpful at times, but don't get too caught up with people's comments on here. Some people are genuinely helpful, while others are condescending and try to steer you off course from premed (at least from my years of lurking). Trust your gut instinct.
@Goro can give you some good advice. some suggest to take upper div courses not at community college such as microbiology. I'm not sure. But cc credits do count. And, do well on the mcat then you will be golden. Good luck to you
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I wouldn't advise taking your courses at a CC. You could try taking it at a different university or state school?
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Yes.
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Because you failed to prove you can handle the rigor of the sciences at your university. Getting A's at a community college is viewed differently, and it is much easier. Now there may be professors that are difficult, but the majority of the work is simple, and doesn't reflect true mastery of the content.
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Use the search function for further clarification.
Ok I just used the search function and came across several posts that say CC retakes are fine. @Goro even says they're fine in this thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/views-on-amount-of-retakes-in-community-college.1046509/
So I'm not seeing the issue.
So I'm not seeing the issue.
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I question if you are ready for med school in general. A, B, C students aren't. CC courses are acceptable but going from Cs at a university to As at a CC doesn't suggest you are a stronger applicant. Maybe a 510 MCAT might help, but you've told me nothing that would make me think you're ready for med school or any professional grad program.
You need to reinvent yourself not find an easier path and go "see how good I am". What would you say to convince me you're a better student now than last year?
I agree that a year off, maybe military, maybe a stint with Americorp, or something to suggest to adcoms you matured might help.
May not be what you want to hear, but....
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You need to reinvent yourself not find an easier path and go "see how good I am". What would you say to convince me you're a better student now than last year?
I agree that a year off, maybe military, maybe a stint with Americorp, or something to suggest to adcoms you matured might help.
May not be what you want to hear, but....
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Ok so then what if I retook the classes at the CC to get my GPA up for a year. Then, after that I do one of the postbacc or SMP programs to prove I can do challenging courses too and also somehow get a 510+ on my MCAT. Would this be a good plan to address all of my issues?
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Maybe you should look at other careers?
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It would help, but how do you explain the reinvention? If you can't sell it then it won't matter. e.g. I was young and dumb, hadn't learned how to xyz, but now know, etc
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You aren't getting it, HOW did you gain that maturity?
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Need more detail. Think of a short paragraph on what changed your life.
Often people will discuss military or missions work or some such.
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Depends on you and how you explain the change AND if you can make A's academically and the good MCAT.
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DrMikeP makes a valid point. How the heck are you going to jump from an undisciplined student (in such a short time span) to a solid A student? It makes no sense...There shouldn't be any rush in building a solid comeback application to medical school. The more time you distance yourself from your lackluster undergrad career the better.
Okay I see where you're coming from, but let's assume I do the SMP and get all As in the SMP. In SMPs you usually take classes along with medical school students and any medical school classes are supposedly more difficult than any undergrad program out there. So if I'm getting better grades in a harder program, then doesn't that somewhat justify that I have matured in this hypothetical scenario?
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An SMP is often much more difficult and poor grades in such can mean the end of your achieving your goals. Given the increased cost as well for many it just doesn't make good sense. Do what you want and best of luck.
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That's where the MCAT comes in. If you get good grades but a poor MCAT score then adcoms will know you've just taken really easy courses with no real understanding of the material.
