Need Advice: Courses to take

[KyleM0216]

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Hello everyone,

I will be starting a post-bac program at the HES this fall. I am conflicted with which coursework to pursue because in my undergraduate years I made some poor choices. I have completed the first semester of general chemistry, the first semester of general biology (but it did NOT include a lab component), and the first semester of organic chemistry. I received an A in chem, AB in bio, and a B in organic. I decided after taking these classes that I wasn't going to pursue medicine anymore so I accepted AP Credit in Chemistry that gave me a letter grade of A, and AP Credit in Biology that gave me an "S" for credit. I am in need of GPA repair, I have a 3.2 currently, and am in need of completing the biology lab requirement.

My question is if I should repeat the whole year of Biology again because I need the lab, or if I should take an "upper division" biology class that has a lab component (likely to be A & P). I am also conflicted because I'm not sure if I should retake organic chemistry I (or just try and self study and then take semester 2) - does anyone have any advice or experience similar to mine? Any advice would be helpful - thank you.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

Here are my thoughts, and while I'm not in yet, I have taken a great deal of courses...
First, anything you've received more than a C in isn't really worth repeating, and most schools won't give credit for them if you do (you passed it the first time, usually you need D/F's). In addition, say you retake O-Chem, which you said you had a B in, you're average will be a 3.5 (B+/A-), which really won't do much. I would (personally) not worry about anything you've passed already, and take upper level classes instead. Make sure you get A's in them, and make sure that you don't need to retake the AP stuff (check with the med schools you're looking at), the schools I know of say do not retake AP classes, but instead take upper-level lab courses to fulfill the credit. A/P is great, Biochem, Parasitology, or something along those lines... Hope this helps!

 

[Lefty Doodle]

I personally think you should retake everything. I tend to err on the safe side, but I also sat down with a former med school admissions officer (friend of the family) and he only told me 3 things-- don't take the MCAT until you're ready, don't take more classes at one time than you can do well at, and take the full-year sequence of any course at the same institution. He said the biggest problem is short-cuts. He has seen so many people who could get into med school who made small mistakes. It's too competitive to try and take short cuts. You will need to remember the coursework to do well on the MCAT and if you don't take the full sequence at one place there could be gaps.

That's just what I'd do though. I retook bio I and man, I hadn't retained anything anyway so good thing I did it! I think it also sets you up to do better in the next course. If I had gone into Bio II without having retaken bio I, not pretty....