Need some advice on retaking classes.

[am9298]

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Hey everyone I just finished my sophomore year of college and I'm very worried about my chances for med school and was wondering (for those who have gotten in) what their take on retaking classes are. I am a Biology major and My current cGPA is 3.089 and my sGPA is 2.78 (very low I know but I am taking summer classes and have a little over a year left and might do post-bacc/gap year).

In my pre-med classes I have gotten (my school is on quarters):
Gen Chem 1- used AP Credit
Gen Chem 2- C+
Gen Chem 3- C+
Gen Bio 1- C- (was an honors course and was really sick that quarter)
retook and got a B-
Gen Bio 2- B-
Physics 1- A-
Physics 2- B-
Physics 3- C+
Organic Chemistry 1- B-
Organic Chemistry 2- C-
Organic Chemistry 3- still need to take
also still need to take 2 semesters of ochem lab

Other pre-med courses:
Genetics: B
Evolutionary Bio: B+
Microbiology: B-
Intro Physiology: A (will take part 2 of physio next year)
Statistics: A
Calculus : AP Credit
have also taken classes like public health, psychology, english, comparative studies, sociology, food science, economics, etc.

Extracurriculars: I currently work as a kids math/english tutor, am a research intern in a neurosurgery lab, volunteer at the local hospital, and am president of a philanthropic student org and fundraising chair of another, i have also done a substantial amount of shadowing in clinic/hospital settings.

I am currently studying for the MCAT and plan to take it in January and my practice test scores are at the moment 24-26 and I am expecting to raise it to a 32 or higher (I have only been studying for the MCAT for a week and start The Princeton Review class next week). My school is switching to semesters and I have still yet to take 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry lab, one semester of organic chemistry, Anatomy, the last semester of physiology, and several other Biology classes and possibly another Stats GPA Booster.

My question is:
What are my chances AND what classes should I retake??
I am planning on retaking Organic Chemistry I and also the second part of Physics and since my school is switching to semesters the numbers are different and some material overlap between the 2 courses in each sequence (so it may be easier). I got a B- and C- in my 2 quarters of Organic Chemistry so I think I should definitely retake that but what about Physics? My 3 grades are A-, B-, and C+ (should I retake the 2nd part of physics?). I know DO schools replace for retakes but I still want to take a shot at getting in an MD school and I have already retaken one Bio class my freshman year. Would 3 retakes be a bit too much?? Any thoughts which classes should I retake and which should I not. Also would taking lower level physics/bio classes help? Like Physics 101 which is below the pre-med physics requirement.

Thanks for your help!

 

[plumhill]

Any class in which you got a C or lower should be retaken if you can afford to do so. However, at this point in time you've taken so many of the pre-reqs, and gotten a good number of Cs, that you'll be spending at least 1 or more extra years in college to retake. At this point, you need to identify upper-level BCPM courses that you can take where you CAN get an A, in order to demonstrate your science abilities. If you can get your sGPA up above a 3 and have a good upward trend from here on out, it'll be good for you. Doing an SMP after you graduate could also be a good option, to at least demonstrate your science abilities. It looks like you've done well in Physiology...any other related courses you can take (you mentioned taking part 2).

Set yourself a higher goal for the MCAT. A 35+ could outweigh the lower science grades.

Side note: do you by chance go to a school in Ohio? I'm switching to semesters too, and I don't know of many other schools that are doing so.

 

[am9298]

Actually retaking classes would not cause me to spend an extra year in school. I am planning on retaking the last part of physics over the summer and then organic chem all next year (junior yr) along with the second physiology and a few more bio/extra classes. and then biochem and anatomy senior year. do you think i should retake physics since I got an A-, B-, and C+? Only because for other classes I can take upper level courses to show that I know the material but with physics I can't. And yes I go to OSU and we are switching to semesters.

 

[weezynation]

Actually retaking classes would not cause me to spend an extra year in school. I am planning on retaking the last part of physics over the summer and then organic chem all next year (junior yr) along with the second physiology and a few more bio/extra classes. and then biochem and anatomy senior year. do you think i should retake physics since I got an A-, B-, and C+? Only because for other classes I can take upper level courses to show that I know the material but with physics I can't. And yes I go to OSU and we are switching to semesters.

The only one you absolutely have to retake is that C- in orgo. Most schools do not accept pre-req grades lower than a C. There is no grade replacement with MD schools, so it may be in your best interest to just take upper level courses.

 

[plumhill]

Actually retaking classes would not cause me to spend an extra year in school. I am planning on retaking the last part of physics over the summer and then organic chem all next year (junior yr) along with the second physiology and a few more bio/extra classes. and then biochem and anatomy senior year. do you think i should retake physics since I got an A-, B-, and C+? Only because for other classes I can take upper level courses to show that I know the material but with physics I can't. And yes I go to OSU and we are switching to semesters.

SAME. So I can probably talk about specific courses then.

The new o-chem will combine the 2nd and 3rd quarters so you can probably re-take that. I don't know if retaking the whole series will be helpful (but you could if you wanted...). I don't think you need to re-take gen chem IF you do well in the rest of o-chem. Also, look into taking biochem (4511, I think is the semester number) as a way of showing improvement in upper-level chem courses (provided you get an A). It is also highly recommended by many schools.