Major Dilemma

[hydrophilicmed]

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Hi all ,

I'm currently a CC student and I'm transferring to my state college this spring. I'm hoping to increase my science gpa as it's kind of in the toilet right now. The problem is that my major isn't in science or math. Once I start college this spring, it'll only take me about a year to finish my degree so the school put my anticipated graduation term as a year from now (spring). I was wondering if it was a better idea to try and delay my graduation so that I could get some science courses in there and raise my sgpa or is it better to just do a DIY post- bac once I graduate. The reason I ask is because I know ugpa is calculated separately from post-bac gpa and I don't want that to hurt me somehow. My cgpa is better than my sgpa. I only took 3 science courses so far. I have read @Goro advice for pre-meds who need reinvention but still have the above question.

 

[Robin-jay]

Only taken 3 science courses so far? You have a lot of pre-reqs left then. Just do well in those and that will help your sGPA. If I'm reading your post correctly.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

Only taken 3 science courses so far? You have a lot of pre-reqs left then. Just do well in those and that will help your sGPA. If I'm reading your post correctly.

I got an F in one though. I was stupid and decided to take a full course load in the summer while working full time. Not my brightest idea.

 

[Robin-jay]

I got an F in one though. I was stupid and decided to take a full course load in the summer while working full time. Not my brightest idea.

What courses have you already taken?

Yes, I would advise working part time in a work-study program as the maximum amount of work during undergrad.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

What courses have you already taken?

Yes, I would advise working part time in a work-study program as the maximum amount of work during undergrad.

Biochemistry B+
Gen chem I B
Gen chem II- failed

 

[Goro]

Only taken 3 science courses so far? You have a lot of pre-reqs left then. Just do well in those and that will help your sGPA. If I'm reading your post correctly.

This.
/thread.

 

[Robin-jay]

Biochemistry B+
Gen chem I B
Gen chem II- failed

Well, you will have to retake chem II. Don't know how you took biochemistry without orgo, unless you are talking about another general chemistry course that happens to have biochemistry in the title.

Whatever the case, just make sure you get better grades, take the correct pre-reqs (prefer at a university and not CC), and then move on.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

Well, you will have to retake chem II. Don't know how you took biochemistry without orgo, unless you are talking about another general chemistry course that happens to have biochemistry in the title.

Whatever the case, just make sure you get better grades, take the correct pre-reqs (prefer at a university and not CC), and then move on.

I know I have to retake gen chem II and probably biochem cause it was at the CC and it didn't have a lab (which I think other schools require). The thing is do I delay graduation in undergrad to do the science courses or do I graduate on time and just the science courses in a post-bac.

 

[I'mJustCurious]

I know I have to retake gen chem II and probably biochem cause it was at the CC and it didn't have a lab (which I think other schools require). The thing is do I delay graduation in undergrad to do the science courses or do I graduate on time and just the science courses in a post-bac.

If your major does not require you to take science courses, then I would just graduate and do a DIY post-bac. Either way, it's not a big deal, but keep in mind when you would want to take the MCAT and apply to schools.

 

[Robin-jay]

I know I have to retake gen chem II and probably biochem cause it was at the CC and it didn't have a lab (which I think other schools require). The thing is do I delay graduation in undergrad to do the science courses or do I graduate on time and just the science courses in a post-bac.

I'm not really sure. I'd probably have to see a long list of pros and cons, along with ADCOM opinion of what they think is best. Post-bac. might look better if you ace it, rather than being a part of your undergrad., but I honestly do not know what your best options is.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I know I have to retake gen chem II and probably biochem cause it was at the CC and it didn't have a lab (which I think other schools require). The thing is do I delay graduation in undergrad to do the science courses or do I graduate on time and just the science courses in a post-bac.

It's much easier to get financial aid (including work study) if you're still pursing your first undergraduate degree. Post bacc financial aid is hard to come by. This favors delaying graduation.

Can you pursue post bacc at the same caliber university as your current 4 year university? If not, that also favors delaying graduation.

Apart from the basic sciences, medical schools often require 1 year of English, some psychology/sociology, 1 or 2 semesters of calculus/statistics. Have you taken these? If not, this also favors postponing graduation.

AMCAS lists undergrad and postbacc GPAs separately but your sGPA and cGPA include both your undergrad and postbacc courses together. Grad level courses, if any, are given their own separate GPA.

Med schools typically require labs for Orgo I and Orgo II, NOT for biochemistry.

You need labs with your Chem I and Chem II. Did you complete them in CC?

Med schools will not accept Fs for medical school prerequisites. You must retake Chem II.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

I have taken 1 year of English, statistic, Gen Chem I, psych and sociology. I also did labs for Gen Chem I and Gen Chem II in CC.

 

[MyOdyssey]

I have taken 1 year of English, statistic, Gen Chem I, psych and sociology. I also did labs for Gen Chem I and Gen Chem II in CC.

Some medical schools - probably a minority but still a substantial number - require 2 semesters of college level math.

Also know that upper level science and psychology courses that emphasize experimental design and data analysis are supposed to be very helpful for the MCAT in its current form. If you haven't experienced this, again staying in your university for an extra year in order to experience it will benefit you.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

@Goro @gyngyn Maybe you guys can chime in on whether I should delay graduation or just do post-bac.

 

[princesspeach2]

Hi all ,

I'm currently a CC student and I'm transferring to my state college this spring. I'm hoping to increase my science gpa as it's kind of in the toilet right now. The problem is that my major isn't in science or math. Once I start college this spring, it'll only take me about a year to finish my degree so the school put my anticipated graduation term as a year from now (spring). I was wondering if it was a better idea to try and delay my graduation so that I could get some science courses in there and raise my sgpa or is it better to just do a DIY post- bac once I graduate. The reason I ask is because I know ugpa is calculated separately from post-bac gpa and I don't want that to hurt me somehow. My cgpa is better than my sgpa. I only took 3 science courses so far. I have read @Goro advice for pre-meds who need reinvention but still have the above question.

As a current community college student who plans on transferring, I'm wondering how you are able to graduate in 1 yr after transferring? All the schools I've looked at only would transfer a max of 60 credits, meaning that 60 credits had to be completed at the university at Junior level (equivalent of 2 yrs).

Community colleges don't offer credits at the university level from my understanding.

 

[princesspeach2]

How many semesters/yrs were you at the cc?

 

[jarednogeek]

Your ability to handle the science coursework will be severely questioned and your chance of interviews is low. Do a science based Post-bac or masters and also you have a ton of science pre-req classes to take. You need a 3.6+ science GPA, preferable higher.

 

[hydrophilicmed]

As a current community college student who plans on transferring, I'm wondering how you are able to graduate in 1 yr after transferring? All the schools I've looked at only would transfer a max of 60 credits, meaning that 60 credits had to be completed at the university at Junior level (equivalent of 2 yrs).

Community colleges don't offer credits at the university level from my understanding.

The university I'm transferring to takes up to 75 credits. I don't know why it only takes one year. They put my expected year of graduation as a year from now. I guess I'll see what happens