gpa padding with upper division science classes

[dnp1123]

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hey guys,
so i heard a lot of ppl that are D1s and D2s that overcame low GPAs (like 2.3's) did the following strategy.
they took classes with significant overlap.
for example, genetics at 1 school, then molecular genetics at another school.
another example is pharmacology at one school, then topics in pharmacology at another school.
in another word, taking classes with the same course material disguised under different names. this way, you are taking classes with material you already know.
what do you guys think of this strategy? it seems unethical but definitely passed the eyes of admissions if D1s and D2s are in their current shoes.

 

[8_man]

That sounds like one hell of a pain. Time consuming AND expensive. It could work, but I think it would raise some red flags for obvious reasons.

 

[dnp1123]

I was thinking that too,
but dentistry is a great career with potential for good financial gains in the eyes of those students.
personally i would pick another trade
life does not last forever so a career doesnt define you

 

[Michael_Scott]

some shady stuff right here...application will go straight into the trash if someone tries to pull something like this.
They can sniff this a mile away.
Schools don't like shady individuals atleast schools that are not $$$

 

[BeaverLover]

so i heard a lot of ppl that are D1s and D2s that overcame low GPAs (like 2.3's) did the following strategy.

Thats a common strategy? I'd be surprised if adcom's couldn't see through it.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

hey guys,
so i heard a lot of ppl that are D1s and D2s that overcame low GPAs (like 2.3's) did the following strategy.
they took classes with significant overlap.
for example, genetics at 1 school, then molecular genetics at another school.
another example is pharmacology at one school, then topics in pharmacology at another school.
in another word, taking classes with the same course material disguised under different names. this way, you are taking classes with material you already know.
what do you guys think of this strategy? it seems unethical but definitely passed the eyes of admissions if D1s and D2s are in their current shoes.

Didn't you post about this before already?

 

[seaweed1]

I highly doubt this is a common strategy...maybe for non-trads whose classes/credits expire after 5 years, I could see that happening and not being a big deal.

But taking "Pharmacology 101" in the fall and then "Intro to Pharmacology" in the spring at the next school? Very obvious, doesn't look great.

I know that some schools use "Topics in X" to name intro/101 courses, while others mean it to be continuations to the introductory course/upper level seminars. The person reading your transcript is probably used to seeing transcripts from your region. On top of that, every course has a course description attached, so anyone who took a moment to look would realize they were the same introductory course and you would be toast. Would they even count both grades? They might even treat it like a retake.

I mean think about it - there are only *so many* types of science classes usually offered, people have been reading pre-health transcripts from your region's colleges for years, why do you think that someone who's been reading thousands of transcripts in their lifetime would be "tricked" into thinking that a "intro to pharmacy" is different here vs there just because of the name?

Anyway, maybe I'm giving people too much credit. Do you know people who successfully pulled off this strategy? (Personally, I'm skeptical, and would never risk it.)

 

[periopocket]

Take as many upper level science classes to raise your gpa period. Adcom will most likely focus on your final overall numbers and less on whether or not the class titles sound the same.

 

[super frank]

I believe @Faux mentioned another UB student did this. Not 100% sure though.

 

[Faux]

I believe @Faux mentioned another UB student did this. Not 100% sure though.

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[super frank]

Not that I'm aware of.

Whoops, my bad, lol. Must've been someone else from UB.

 

[dnp1123]

i talked to my D1 contacts about this and they recommended few things
1. don't make it too obvious and load up with intro level classes. this is the trick adcoms can see through, but they can't really see through trick 2.
2. make sure its upper division science classes. they don't have time to sift through every single course you've taken as there are so many applications in the first place. they may take a closer look at the interview but have an explanation by then for example, your interest in the material
3. if your classes are more than a few years old its not really gpa padding because you would have forgotten most of the material anyway
4. audit the class (unofficially) before enroling the next semester to familiarize yourself with the content

 

[tussiN1]

Lol.... there are way too many applications for adcoms to consider this "TRICK." Is it even a trick? It costs a lot of time and money.

Anyway, the true equalizer is the DAT. A good GPA doesn't mean anything without a solid DAT. If you can achieve an upward trend of GPA and a solid DAT score, you don't need to put yourself through this.