Need Advice on Retaking a class [Transfer Student]

[Nietzsche]

Hey,

I have a question for you guys. I went to school A (It's accredited but not as recognized or higher ranked) but then I transferred to school B. I took 2 Science classes from which I got C's from and I plan on retaking them.

As some of you know, when you transfer you basically get a new GPA (not that it matters when applying to Medical school). My question is, should I retake the classes where I got the Cs from (school A) or should I take them at my new school?

The schools have different names for the courses so I thought that might be of conflict. Should I re-take them at my old school and they will adjust my transcript there (I don't think I'd need to transfer the credits to my new school because I was already given credit for them) or should I take them at my new school?

Once again, the naming of the courses might play an issue here.

Thanks again for helping.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mobius1985]

It's my understanding that there is a book (or maybe it's on-line by now) in which an admissions counselor can look up any course, at any college in the US, and determine what the equivalent course at their own school might be, if it exists. I'd suggest you make an appointment at your current school and see what they say. My brother took a course at his university, then took what he thought would be an upper-level course in the same sequence elsewhere, only to discover when he transferred the credit back that the two courses (with completely different names) were considered identical.

 

[Nietzsche]

I already have the credit for the class, so the only thing that would change is the grade. The courses are considered equivalent, just not sure whether or not I should retake the class at my old school or my new one.

The grades from the courses which were transferred are still held by my old school, so I just thought that it would be best to retake and basically replace the grade at the institution where I originally took the course. Not completely sure though, still seeking advice. Thanks for your input though.

 

[FIREitUP]

I already have the credit for the class, so the only thing that would change is the grade. The courses are considered equivalent, just not sure whether or not I should retake the class at my old school or my new one.

The grades from the courses which were transferred are still held by my old school, so I just thought that it would be best to retake and basically replace the grade at the institution where I originally took the course. Not completely sure though, still seeking advice. Thanks for your input though.

you won't have a clean slate when it comes to applying to medical school. You have to send both transcripts and both grades will be looked at, the new classes you take won't erase the grades you got.

 

[WannaBePreMed]

Don't retake them, just do well in your upper division classes. If you do decide to retake classes do it at your current school. If school A was a community college then DEFINITELY don't retake your credits there, it looks bad.

 

[Nietzsche]

you won't have a clean slate when it comes to applying to medical school. You have to send both transcripts and both grades will be looked at, the new classes you take won't erase the grades you got.

Exactly, so I was just asking if I should re-take the classes in the school where the grade will appear on that certain transcript or should I take them in my new one.

I also plan to retake upper level division classes but re-taking these 2 classes will help my GPA immensely. School A was not a community college but it's considered like a 3rd tier school (don't know much about rankings).

 

[Nietzsche]

Quick bump.

 

[MILK07]

Retaking the two classes will not affect your GPA as much as you think for med school purposes. When you submit everything to AMCAS, they will use both the original grades (C) and whatever new grade you get. So essentially, it will end up being an average of the two.

I would suggest just taking more classes and doing really well in the future to establish an upward trend. No use in going back and retaking unless you are planning on applying to DO schools, which calculate GPAs differently. Take an extra semester to get more credit hours so that those C's don't bring down your GPA as much.

Good luck!

 

[Nietzsche]

Thanks for the advice, I do realize that they will be averaged and won't affect me too much. I just need a small boost so after contemplating on whether or not I should re-take the class I've decided to retake them.

Just not sure at what school.

 

[FIREitUP]

Thanks for the advice, I do realize that they will be averaged and won't affect me too much. I just need a small boost so after contemplating on whether or not I should re-take the class I've decided to retake them.

Just not sure at what school.

It's ultimately your choice, but it would be much more appealing to admissions if you take and ace upper level bio classes instead.

 

[pianola]

Just not sure at what school.

Well, I guess, ideally, to show that you can handle said courses at your new school, it might be worth trying to retake them at that school. But only retake them if you think you can make As. Anything lower is probably not worth it.

My $0.02 for whatever it's worth.

 

[Nietzsche]

Thanks for the advice. I plan to do well in the upper level science courses as well. I wanted to retake a C in General Chemistry 1 because...well it was a Saturday class. I went according to the syllabus but avoided lecture in general because I had experience with General Chemistry and it was a pretty easy subject. The syllabus was changed without me knowing and I actually missed a test hence my low score. I feel that I could have easily gotten an A in the course hence why I want to retake it.

Thanks again for the advice guys, I really appreciate it.