Low Individial Prereq Grades: Should I retake?

[polyploidy516]

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hey all, I would really appreciate advice on my situation:


specifically, as I received C/C+ grades earlier on in my academic career due to extenuating circumstances (taking care of terminally ill parent/worked 40 hours a week to support family in addition to health problems that severely affected my academics earlier on), I unfortunately received these grades in both bios (2 C+'s) orgo (C/C+/B-) and second semester Gen Chem, in addition to a P in Molec Bio and 2 W's in Orgo (had to drop due to health issues the second time and financial issues the first time)

However, after the shock and turmoil as a result of these grades, I was able to rebound my grades substantially, receiving A's in Biochem, Genetics, Reproductive Biology, and Biochem lab; I plan on taking several more upper division courses including cell biology, anatomy and physiology, neural science,and developmental biology before I apply.

Furthermore, I did very well on the mcat (40R with 14 B 12 V 14 P).

The question that i have is should i retake the pre-req grades that I did poorly in given the fact that I excelled in upper division classes (my overall is a 3.43 and science is around the same---took alot of nonmedical courses such as astronomy and ecology which increased my science gpa). The reason why I am worried is that I hear that adcoms place heavy weight on pre req grades, thus i am worried and concerned as to whether I should retake those classes? Specifically, as I want to apply to a couple of top tier schools ( Columbia, Stanford, etc), do you advise that retaking my prereqs would be best even though I excelled in my upper divison classes?

I would really appreciate your advice and help, particularly anyone who has applied/has worked on the adcom (LizzyM, etc). Thank you.

 

[LizzyM]

That 40R is going to get you some attention.... The 3.43 is not bad and it sounds like you have a strong upward trend. Of course, you can and should address the stresses that came along during your college years in your AMCAS essay and it would be very helpful if a faculty member/advisor who knew you then (or your premed committee) mention it in their LOR.

I wouldn't see the point of retaking unless you apply, are rejected everywhere, and get feedback from the schools that reject you that you need to retake the pre-reqs. The fact that you've done well in the MCAT and in the subsequent classes is reassuring.

 

[Telekinesis]

hey all, I would really appreciate advice on my situation:


specifically, as I received C/C+ grades earlier on in my academic career due to extenuating circumstances (taking care of terminally ill parent/worked 40 hours a week to support family in addition to health problems that severely affected my academics earlier on), I unfortunately received these grades in both bios (2 C+'s) orgo (C/C+/B-) and second semester Gen Chem, in addition to a P in Molec Bio and 2 W's in Orgo (had to drop due to health issues the second time and financial issues the first time)

However, after the shock and turmoil as a result of these grades, I was able to rebound my grades substantially, receiving A's in Biochem, Genetics, Reproductive Biology, and Biochem lab; I plan on taking several more upper division courses including cell biology, anatomy and physiology, neural science,and developmental biology before I apply.

Furthermore, I did very well on the mcat (40R with 14 B 12 V 14 P).

The question that i have is should i retake the pre-req grades that I did poorly in given the fact that I excelled in upper division classes (my overall is a 3.43 and science is around the same---took alot of nonmedical courses such as astronomy and ecology which increased my science gpa). The reason why I am worried is that I hear that adcoms place heavy weight on pre req grades, thus i am worried and concerned as to whether I should retake those classes? Specifically, as I want to apply to a couple of top tier schools ( Columbia, Stanford, etc), do you advise that retaking my prereqs would be best even though I excelled in my upper divison classes?

I would really appreciate your advice and help, particularly anyone who has applied/has worked on the adcom (LizzyM, etc). Thank you.

Dude you got a 40. If I were you I would relax and let the acceptances roll in.👍

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

You have a high chance of acceptance (interview done well) from low tier and some mid tier. Top schools may grant an interview and provided you do well, acceptance. That is all.

 

[elderjack21]

That 40R is going to get you some attention.... The 3.43 is not bad and it sounds like you have a strong upward trend. Of course, you can and should address the stresses that came along during your college years in your AMCAS essay and it would be very helpful if a faculty member/advisor who knew you then (or your premed committee) mention it in their LOR.

I wouldn't see the point of retaking unless you apply, are rejected everywhere, and get feedback from the schools that reject you that you need to retake the pre-reqs. The fact that you've done well in the MCAT and in the subsequent classes is reassuring.

40R with a good story in your personal statement about the experiences you mentioned makes you a super candidate.

You would get more bang for your buck taking some courses like biochem, stats, microbiology, etc than retaking some lame pre-req classes in which you could clearly destroy at this point given your MCAT score.

Water under the bridge, let it go by and focus on some other target to maximize your time and education.