Graduate, then more classes or go for a 5th year?

[ddahlia14]

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I have a sGPA of 3.4 and a cGPA of 3.7. I want to raise my science GPA to at least 3.5 which will take about 3-4 classes assuming I can get all As. I am a senior who can graduate this May. Is there any difference between graduating prior to taking these extra ug classes, or should I graduate after I have finished this classes? There is also the option of changing my bio minor to a bio major. Is this advantageous at all? I want to take these classes slowly (2 at a time), so I can spend time acing them. Long term goal: apply EDP to U of MN-Twin Cities.

 

[Mobius1985]

If you delay your graduation, you will retain priority for class registration. Also, if you're dependent on student loans, they may not be accessible if you are not a degree candidate. Med schools won't care if you have a minor or a double major, but changing your planned degree can delay a forced graduation at some schools that won't let you stay beyond a certain point (and also maintain eligibility for needed loans). The only reason to graduate before you finish the planned coursework would be if you prefer to take the additional classes at a less expensive school.

 

[sarahg]

I'm in a similar situation except I have a year's worth of prereqs to take after I can graduate. I'm electing to graduate first because
1) My undergrad is in a city I'm not too fond of and I'd like to relocate
2) My undergrad college costs $25k/year, compared to the $6k/year for a postbac student at a public college in CA
3) I'd like to work part-time, and my school doesn't offer evening classes whatsoever plus I'll qualify for more interesting jobs with my BA than without

That said, if you're not dying to move, you wouldn't be saving money by going to a cheaper school, and you don't want to work at any job you'll need your degree to get, I see no reason to graduate now. Keep your registration priority and graduate later.

 

[DrJosephKim]

If you can raise your GPA, this would be to your benefit.

 

[ddahlia14]

Thanks for the advice. I see now that it will not make a difference to medical schools, and may only affect my registration status and aid, which are very important! At my school the science classes fill up FAST. I do have a state school nearby that is way cheaper, I just fear I will not do as well since I am unaccustomed to the size of classes and the way they are run compared to my small, private university. I guess that is up for me to decide. Thanks again!

 

[Slack3r]

Could you graduate with one Major and then take classes post graduation and have them count for your ugrad GPA? Would they count toward a minor or would they just be classes to boost your GPA? I ask because I'm in your same situation, about to graduate, but my GPA is a bit low and I'd like to tack on an ECON minor but without adding an additional semester (which is the minimum I'd need to finish the minor).

 

[sarahg]

Thanks for the advice. I see now that it will not make a difference to medical schools, and may only affect my registration status and aid, which are very important! At my school the science classes fill up FAST. I do have a state school nearby that is way cheaper, I just fear I will not do as well since I am unaccustomed to the size of classes and the way they are run compared to my small, private university. I guess that is up for me to decide. Thanks again!

For what it's worth, I've been to a UC school and a tiny private school, and classes at the UC school were a lot less time consuming to do well in. With 600 people per class the prof isn't going to require a lot of work for each individual. It's not unusual for profs at my private school to require a presentation, major paper, AND a test at the end of every semester whereas a public school prof (even in a highly respected public school) would just have given us a non-comprehensive multiple choice test and maybe a paper that took a few hours.

 

[ddahlia14]

Thanks sarahg, that is definitely helpful information. I am now leaning in that direction, and it is convenient since they offer so many times for classes!

Slack3r: At my school you can graduate, then take more classes for a second major or another minor. These do count for your ug gpa (I assume, since they are ug classes.) So, I could stay at my private, expensive college and take 5 more classes for a bio major or take way cheaper science courses at my state's university and forgo the 2nd major. I don't understand what you are saying about the extra semester, but I hope this helps.

 

[KingBurrito]

I basically did that and it seems to be working out fine. Graduated from a UC last year... didn't really like the city or the school too much, so I got out of there and finished my pre-reqs at a CSU. It wasn't significantly easier... but I ended up getting my science GPA from a 3.35 to a 3.5 this year. Overall stayed at just over 3.7 due to one B this past year. Still have second semester of OChem left :/