Grade

[ego]

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I am applying to medical schools ( MD/DO ) for the 2005 entering class. I have an F in a nutrition class that I never went to yet failed to drop. With this F my AMCAS GPA is 3.39 without 3.47. I did fairly well in all other classes with the exception of one C in organic lab have an A- in lecture. Anyway can I explain this F or do I have to retake the class? I graduated last May. Replies would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[uniqueseraph]

Unfortunately, the F will count. If you do retake the class, the F will still be averaged with your retake grade. The class doesn't sound like one that would be under your science gpa though but doublecheck with the AMCAS application guide.

 

[ego]

Thanks for the reply. I know the F will be factored in, I guess my question is do I need to retake the class or not? I would rather not spend the time and money on a nutrition class, and I feel that if questioned on it by admissions I could explain.

 

[ken37]

I had an F from I class I had to stop going to due to a job move to another city. It was way past the drop deadline so they gave me an F. I wrote an appeal to the University, and they changed it to a W. I'd see what your options are at your school.

 

[ego]

Hey thanks for the replies. I have contacted the school and unfortunately since this grade is six years old the only thing they can do is take it out of their GPA calculations which doesn't help much.

 

[UseUrHeadFred]

AMCAS calculates their own GPA, and the F will count in their calculations.

Do not retake the class unless it is a class you want to retake. The new grade will not replace the old one, it will count as a different class either way.

 

[uniqueseraph]

Thanks for the reply. I know the F will be factored in, I guess my question is do I need to retake the class or not? I would rather not spend the time and money on a nutrition class, and I feel that if questioned on it by admissions I could explain.

It's up to you in the end. A nutrition class isn't important IMHO, so if you have a good reason to explain for it, that's fine. Good luck! I think you just need reassurance that it's ok to have an F there 😉

 

[terpgirl]

Don't throw money at the school! Sorry, I have that feeling towards schools.

I will be applying with an F, but mine is in biology... it hurts and to add insult to injury I have to pay $1208 for it this summer not to fall behind!! 😱 Sso I've done the whole factoring in of that grade--UMCP will take the second grade (if you're an entering freshman, you can retake classes with grades you're not happy with in the first 2 semesters at the school, and the lower grade will drop out of your GPA--my GPA is at a 2.4 right now with 30 credits of which numerous are AP, and if you drop that F it goes up a whole freaking point to 3.41!) for your official GPA but AMCAS will take both.

So, I wouldn't worry about taking it again. It's nutrition... are you in shape? Look like you eat well/not carrying lotsa excess weight? Maybe you never needed the class in the first place 😛

-Liz

 

[cellfinder]

I have a question for you ,terpgirl. You say that you can retake the class that you took as a freshmen at the school where you got the grades? Is this every school? Or did i misunderstand your message? When I first attended school, I was not serious and did very avg., sow I am a very good student and have recd 3 Bs in 8 semester of study. But I am worried about my past. It was only about 18-20 credits and no science/math courses but I dont want to hurt my avg. with grades that occured 13 yrs ago. Thanks for input.

 

[CoverMe]

You're absolutely certain your Nutrition class will be BCPM???? I just looked at AMCAS, they say nutrition is under "HEAL" not "BCPM" (biology chemistry physics math). Even if your gut says that it's more of a bio course, with a heading like "nutrition" who's to say it isn't nutrition?!??!

Edit: Then again, what does your gut know? You got an F in nutrition!! 😀

 

[terpgirl]

I believe most universities would have a repeat policy. I would definately check into one from your original institution (the one from 13 years ago). I don't know what prompted the change in UMCP's policy. THe only thing I'm not sure of is prior to 1990 if all grades are shown on the transcript, or just the highest ones...

UMCP's is as follows for students entering after Fall 1990:

4. The grade point averge will include all attempts at a given course that result in a grade of A+ through F. However, to help freshman and transfer students adjest to the University of Maryland, College Park, the following two exceptions allow for the cumulative GPA to be calculated so thatt only the higher grade is included:

a. When the repeated course was taken within the student's first semester at University of Maryland, College Park, or

b. When the repeated course was taken within the student's first 24 credit hours attempted (including transfer credits) or within the semester during which the student reached the 24th credit hour attempted.

5. Any grade earned in prior attempts of a repeated course will appear on the student's transcript, regardless of whether the grade is dropped from, or included in, the cumulative grade point average.


Student who began at UMCP before the Fall 1990 semester (including students who entere UMCP for summer 1990):

The highest grade recieved in the repeated course is used to caluculate the GPA. A student may repeat any course; however no student may be registered for a course more than three times.



ALSO, check into an academic clemency policy. UMCP's is as follows:

Undergraduate students returning to the UMCP in persuit of their initial bacclaureate degree, after a separation of five calendar years may petition the appropriate dean to have a number of previously earned grades and credits removed from the calculation of their cumulative GPA. Up to 16 credits and corresponding grades from courses periously completed at the UMCP will be removed from the calculation of the GPA and will not be counted towards graduation requirements. The petition for clemency must be filed in the first semester of return to the institution. Approval is neith automatic or guaranteed.


Hope thatt helps. Please forgive typos, it's in PDF online so I typed it from the course catalog. Good luck, feel free to PM me if you need anything else 🙂

-Liz

 

[derf]

I am applying to medical schools ( MD/DO ) for the 2005 entering class. I have an F in a nutrition class that I never went to yet failed to drop. With this F my AMCAS GPA is 3.39 without 3.47. I did fairly well in all other classes with the exception of one C in organic lab have an A- in lecture. Anyway can I explain this F or do I have to retake the class? I graduated last May. Replies would be appreciated.
Thanks

ego, you should appeal that grade since you never went. that's an easy problem to fix dude. appeal to every possible avenue. Ask the teacher to write a letter stating you indeed never attended. it should be an easy fix.

 

[terpgirl]

Just as an FYI about the person who posted above me:

I currently am pursuing litigation against my university, in a somewhat similar situation. They will not reverse grades for Joe Schmoe--for NCAA eligibility as well as housing for athletes, unfortunately, yes they will. The response most likely will be you should have appealed the grade, or applied for a retroactive drop (which UMCP so called "rarely" does) at that semester. Probably because you waited so long, and don't have a compelling reason (severe illness--and even in my case such didn't work) your appeal will be dropped faster than a lead ballon into the circular file. Doing what the poster above suggests is deamed transcript grooming--I will admit it goes on, but not for us common folk.

-Liz

 

[BklynWill]

If you retake the same nutrition course and apply to osteopathic medical schools, I believe they will never see the first grade.