Like many on here, I need advice.

[Laur7114]

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I was a first time applicant this year:

Applied: Western, Colorado, Penn (PA resident), Glasgow, RVC, Louisiana State, Mississippi State
Rejected: Colorado, Penn, Mississippi State
Interviewed: Western, Glasgow, RVC
Waitlisted: Western, Louisiana
Accepted: Glasgow, RVC

I'm super excited that I got into 2 UK schools, but due to some unfortunate family issues I will not be attending either school next year. I will be applying to a few US schools again for 2013 classes and I need some advice.

I gradauated from my undergrad last spring with a 3.6 cum, 3.7 last 45 semester hours...but I didn't do too stellar on my GRE (~1100). I spent the last year in a post-bacc program so I could complete my prereqs (which basically included microbio, biochemistry, and physics 1 and 2). Unfortunatley, my post-bacc grades were not the best (of course I had hoped for all A's), and I ended up with B's in biochem, microbiology, and physics 1, and a C+ in physics 2.

My question is, should I attempt to re-take physics 2? I've never gotten a C before in any class so I'm not sure what to do. When I apply again for next year my last 45 GPA is going to look terrible, and I feel like I shouldn't even bother applying. I'm trying to decide whether I should re-take Physics 2, and some other classes that I got low B's in during my academic career, or not.

Thus far, my game plan for re-applying is to re-take my GRE's in hopes of a higher score, and get more vet-related experience LA and SA. Im just trying to figure out if I should add re-taking classes to this plan.

Does anyone have experience with re-taking lower level science courses to get a higher grade?

I'm sorry for the super long post, I just feel like I needed to explain my situation a bit.

Thanks!

 

[twelvetigers]

I wouldn't worry about the classes. Your GPA is pretty good and one C never hurt anyone that much. Work on that GRE - maybe take a course? Or, just read up here on the board how others have studied and find what you think will work for you. And, the experience is good too.

What is your science GPA? And, if you don't mind me asking, what vet/animal experience do you have right now?

 

[VAgirl]

Unfortunatley, my post-bacc grades were not the best (of course I had hoped for all A's), and I ended up with B's in biochem, microbiology, and physics 1, and a C+ in physics 2.

I don't have any great advice, but this is definitely going to be a red flag and something you're going to have to address. Whether it's in the form of making your application fantastic in other aspects, standing out in some way, explaining it in an explanation statement, or even just answering for it at interviews. This is your most recent academic performance and it isn't stellar. (Although not knowing how many post-bacc courses you took, it's hard to know what the GPA works out to.) Still, the trend of grades seems to be something adcoms like to look at (and they love to ask the question "what makes you think you can handle this academic load when you couldn't handle that other academic load very well before?")

So I would suggest thinking about why your post-bacc grades weren't great. It's certainly something that you will be asked down the road and it may help you better understand where you're at personally, as well.

 

[LLIPPY]

I have been through the same questions and situations. I say absolutely do not re take physics 2! Its a terrible painful course and there is no guarentee you will do better in it. Not to mention a C+ is more than acceptable. I mean, its not ideal but what I have learned is they don't scrutinize classes individually like that, not for 1 C+ anyways, its commonplace! and I was told my mac keiter, admissions at Penn it is one of the least imp requirements. Anyway I WOULD re take the GRE and just do stellar on them. I think that's what saved me. I had a lower GPA than you in and the 1300 for GRE. I was accepted to Western, RVC and UTK...plus I had other extremely difficult circumstances I had to account for. Its a lot in how you explain it if you need to. 1 C+ isn't worthy of your time or money to suffer through again! If you want to raise your GPA take a different class, if you want to stregnthen over all, re take the GRE and get more experience. Everyone does it different. I Just speak from my own agonizing experiences applying multiple times! (Oh and yes taking the GRE multiple times 🙂 )

 

[Laur7114]

Thanks for the good advice.

Just to touch on a few of your questions:

I have about 2,000 hours SA experience- vet tech at 24 hour hospital
2,000 hours Zoo/exotic
200 hours Wildlife- Sanctuary in Africa
and hundreds of hours volunteering/fostering animals from my local shelter.

My science GPA after undergrad was a 3.6, now after my post-bacc (and physics) its much lower.

I've decided not to retake Physics, but I'll probably take a few extra classes to help boost my last 45c.h. GPA. I'm also starting to prep for re-taking my GRE's. Hopefully this time around (with much more preparation) I can pull off at least a 1250 on the GRE.

 

[Caninerepro]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about a C+, especially in physics. You need to know what is taught in physics, especially physics 2 if it is layed out like my series was, but I don't think that they require anyone to be a physics ace. I'd say go back, take an upper division physiology or cell bio course or two (something related to vet med but above and beyond the core requirements) and get A's in those. Plus buy a book and retake the GRE. I got into several vet schools with a 3.4 undergrad (C in calculus), high 1300's GRE, and a lot less clinical hours than you have. I just stayed around my college and did a one year MS program and nailed that.