need to raise gpa, should i minor in something 'easy' or retake prereq?

[nuwinator]

I probably need to take more classes to repair my gpa because I didnt do so hot with my prereqs (alot of B's and C+'s). At the time I took those classes I wasn't a motivated student with a goal in mind, but that has changed since I've started volunteering at a hospital pharmacy as a pharmacy tech and watched several live surgeries while at the hospital.

I was wondering if I should also minor in something like health or nutrition even though it doesnt count towards my science gpa nor does it affect my prerequisites gpa? I plan on finishing my degree with at least one minor (chem; biology major). OR would i be better off in taking most of my prereqs?

**i figured minoring in health or nutrition would be helpful

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

For DO schools, retaking bad grades will drastically and quickly raise your gpa. Do that.

 

[DocMan22]

For DO schools, retaking bad grades will drastically and quickly raise your gpa. Do that.

+1

You'd be much better off retaking previous classes with a bad grade and maybe add in a few new upper level science. Schools look beyond GPA, trend and difficulty of classes matter. Doing well in a few difficult classes is better than doing well in a few cake classes.

I wouldn't retake your B's, it's probably not worth the effort, spend the time/effort/money on something that will benefit you more. C's are probably worth it, especially anything C- and below.

Retake C and below classes and science classes first (it will boost both your sGPA and cGPA) anything else if you have time but your better off with new upper level science classes than B retakes.

What is your current GPA? And if you've taken MCAT, what was your score?

 

[Wolverines83]

Guys above are spot on. Definitely retake...here's the math

Retake
C in orgo = 2.0
A in orgo = 4.0

Your GPA is now a 4.0 b/c orgo was 100% replaced

Easy Minor
C in orgo = 2.0
A in basket weaving = 4.0

Your GPA is now 3.0 (probably less b/c basket weaving surely isn't 4 credits) because orgo wasn't replaced

See how quickly that can add up? Definitely the better road when applying to DO school. Plus, you've already taken the course!

 

[nuwinator]

Yeah retaking courses with low grades sounds like the better route, especially with DO schools.

Would yall recommend me retaking at the university I am enrolled in right now or is it ok to retake at say a community college? Would DO schools frown really hard on that? I figured it would save me a lot of money and if I do well on the MCAT, it would show that I have a good foundation with those subjects.

 

[DocMan22]

Ehhhh... I would stay away from community. Ok in the first few years but I would avoid it as an upperclassmen. Money is a justifiable reason to go to the community college but you could risk schools looking at it as you needed to find easier classes to get an A - appearing lazy/unmotivated is far worse than the C you already have.

 

[SpecterGT260]

it is important to note that this only works for DO applications. MD applications do not have grade replacement. Being that we are in pre-DO forum, Id say you are on the right track 👍, but in the event you go to apply both, i would hate for you to be surprised.