HELP! Retake Prereq. C's or Leave them?

[lolasmommy]

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Okay,
Ive read and searched multiple threads and havent found the answer. I am doing post bacc work to raise my overall GPA of 3.08 (BCMP 2.8). Question is:
1. Take upperdivision science courses
2. Retake prerequisites (as well as other upperdivision courses)

I can guarantee an 'A' in the prerequisites if I work hard but I want to know if it is looked down upon by ADCOMS or if it is what I should do to show that I know the material. Prerequisites I intend to retake Gen chem 1 and 2 and organic chem 1 and 2. People have mentioned taking the first course (eg. organic 1) and getting a C and then doing really well in the second part (organic 2) and not having to worry about anything because it shows an upward trend. I dont have this option, Ive just graduated. Please tell me which option and WHY. I start classes next week.

 

[WrightMD]

Don't retake more than one class is what I've generally heard. Better to take new classes and do well in them.

 

[fireflygirl]

Don't retake more than one class is what I've generally heard. Better to take new classes and do well in them.

I agree with WrightMD. I had two Cs in the first semester of my post-bac and my advisor thought that by retaking them, adcoms would think I took an easy way out by already having a first shot at the material. She suggested just retaking my Physics 101 class again because I had a C- in that one vs. Bio 101 in which I had a C+. And she felt that I needed to really solidify my foundation in Physics 101 to move onto 102 more so than with Bio. I have another friend who did the same thing and we've both been accepted into medical schools. But then the two of us moved on and took a lot of upper level courses and did really well in them. I think it matters more that you can move on from the classes you didn't do as well in and perform better in the higher level science classes which are usually more challenging and more relevant. And that way, if you do well, you can show the upward trend that everyone talks about and that tends to be important when evaluating an application.

 

[shiftingmirage]

Don't think taking a class over is the best decision for a C. I had 3 C's one in gen chem, one in p-chem, and one in cancer bio. I was able to get into a school. Other thing is that if you retake a class, and get the same grade or get worse, thats really bad. I doubt a couple C's will hold you back, especially if you have a killer MCAT.

 

[bmarms]

don't retake. but take upper level electives. if you did poorly in g-chem, try to rock o-chem. if you did poorly in bio, try genetics or biochemistry (which also compensates for weak chem or o-chem greades). i've heard physics is actually not so important for med schools. there's even talk at some schools about phasing it out and instead making biochem a requirement- which makes sense because it's more closely related to medicine than physics is. good luck and try to put the weak grades behind you.

 

[paranoid_eyes]

retake if you think you can get an A (not a B, not an A-, but an A)