ok to retake courses?

[Chippymunk]

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Was just wondering if it's ok to retake the courses I didn't do too well in. Would it hurt my application if they look at my transcript and saw that I have retaken courses to boost my grades? I'm sure I won't get higher than a C+ in physics this semester as my prof is tremendously horrible and I'm literally self teaching myself the material by studying at home until my brain explodes. 🙁

 

[No Imagination]

Was just wondering if it's ok to retake the courses I didn't do too well in. Would it hurt my application if they look at my transcript and saw that I have retaken courses to boost my grades? I'm sure I won't get higher than a C+ in physics this semester as my prof is tremendously horrible and I'm literally self teaching myself the material by studying at home until my brain explodes. 🙁

I've gotten 3 C's and 1 D Erghh, while in undergrad. I was told I HAD to retake all the courses I could. Took Chem I and II over again, and Advanced O-Chem to replace O-Chem 1 (all A's).

I am not sure of all Vet schools, but most of them will be happier if you take a more advanced class instead of the same over. The few I checked with advised me to take Advanced O-chem and accepted it PLACE of General O-chem.

The Bad grade still gets averaged into your transcript, but only the higher grade is averaged into your Math&Science GPA. Least that is how it was explained to me. Damn, wish I did better in Undergrad 🙂

 

[nyanko]

The Bad grade still gets averaged into your transcript, but only the higher grade is averaged into your Math&Science GPA. Least that is how it was explained to me. Damn, wish I did better in Undergrad 🙂

Some schools, if you retake a course in which your grade was D or above, will average both the old and the new grade in the class into your science/prereq GPA (UC Davis is one of these).

 

[Chippymunk]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I better do good on my first try... But that's a lot of pressure! What if I get a bad prof? What if I get sick and have to withdraw? What if something happens? ohh now I'm worried

 

[Groominator]

What about an NC? I was bound to fail orgo 2 miserably so i opted to take the NC, not take the final, and focus on other finals instead. I'm planning on retaking the course next semester.

Are NCs looked at any differently from Fs?

 

[rexosaurus]

So, this is just my personal opinion, but if you don't do well in a class you should absolutely take it again. First, for your own comprehension, and second because you look like you're okay with being mediocre if you don't. Why wouldn't you want to boost your GPA? I retook Physics II. I got a C+ the first time, and a B- the second. Not a whole world of difference, but I understand it better, and I got in so it couldn't have hurt me all that much. And if it's any consolation with learning Physics, you will use it in vet school. Diagnostic Imaging and Ultrasound are all about Physics! So, it will only help you if you have a pretty good grasp on it before you get to vet school.

 

[Kylana]

So, this is just my personal opinion, but if you don't do well in a class you should absolutely take it again. First, for your own comprehension, and second because you look like you're okay with being mediocre if you don't. Why wouldn't you want to boost your GPA? I retook Physics II. I got a C+ the first time, and a B- the second. Not a whole world of difference, but I understand it better, and I got in so it couldn't have hurt me all that much. And if it's any consolation with learning Physics, you will use it in vet school. Diagnostic Imaging and Ultrasound are all about Physics! So, it will only help you if you have a pretty good grasp on it before you get to vet school.

I'm glad to hear that you actually find physics useful in vet school! Physics is the only pre req that I have not yet completed and am not in the process of completing. I keep putting it off because I dislike the subject, but knowing that it will be useful later might make it a bit more enjoyable for me. What areas of physics do you find most useful in vet school?

 

[dyachei]

I'm glad to hear that you actually find physics useful in vet school! Physics is the only pre req that I have not yet completed and am not in the process of completing. I keep putting it off because I dislike the subject, but knowing that it will be useful later might make it a bit more enjoyable for me. What areas of physics do you find most useful in vet school?

I know this was directed at Rex, but I find physics useful, too, so I thought I might chime in. I find it very useful in physiology because understanding pressure differences is physics. Constriction and dilation of blood vessels and their effects is all based on a simple understanding of physics. I'm pretty sure we talked about resistances and electrical impulses at some point too.

 

[168135]

I have a question that is somewhat related.

I'll be applying to the carib vet schools and AVC in PEI when my time comes.

The vet that I have been volunteering with encouraged me to apply next year (my third year of undergrad) and then again in my fourth year.

I got 60s in both of my chemistry classes in my first and didn't pass math. I planned to re-take math first semester next year. The summer of my third year, I planned on re-taking my chemistries and getting a research job at the university.

My marks this year are excellent... pulled 80s and 90s on my midterms so far. I want to go to New York this summer to get large animal experience, and I'm thinking of taking a field course.

To make a long story short... I was planning on applying only in my fourth year. Should I even bother applying in my third year with my 60s in chem and my fail in math?

 

[rexosaurus]

I agree with Dyachei, that physics is really important for physiology. As much as we need to learn it in diagnostic imaging, for how the machines work, I think it's WAY more important for physiology. I just got done with the cardiophys. block, and you need it for the electrical conductivity of the heart, all the pressure differences (which is how blood essentially moves), as well as the pressure differences in the respiratory block. The concepts are more important than the math, in my opinion. Hope this helps you get through Physics!

 

[Electrophile]

I have a question that is somewhat related.

I'll be applying to the carib vet schools and AVC in PEI when my time comes.

The vet that I have been volunteering with encouraged me to apply next year (my third year of undergrad) and then again in my fourth year.

I got 60s in both of my chemistry classes in my first and didn't pass math. I planned to re-take math first semester next year. The summer of my third year, I planned on re-taking my chemistries and getting a research job at the university.

My marks this year are excellent... pulled 80s and 90s on my midterms so far. I want to go to New York this summer to get large animal experience, and I'm thinking of taking a field course.

To make a long story short... I was planning on applying only in my fourth year. Should I even bother applying in my third year with my 60s in chem and my fail in math?

I wouldn't. Not with those low of grades. Typically the only people they take early have really, really, really stellar credentials. Instead of wasting time and money applying early when it's really pretty unlikely you'll make it in early (honestly with failing one class and getting 60% in two early pre-reqs, you're going to find it hard pressed to get in at all, let alone early), I'd make sure the rest of your time was as good as you can get it along with adding in as many hours as possible. Sorry if it's excessively honest, but that's what I would do.

 

[LucyLoo]

I wouldn't. Not with those low of grades. Typically the only people they take early have really, really, really stellar credentials. Instead of wasting time and money applying early when it's really pretty unlikely you'll make it in early (honestly with failing one class and getting 60% in two early pre-reqs, you're going to find it hard pressed to get in at all, let alone early), I'd make sure the rest of your time was as good as you can get it along with adding in as many hours as possible. Sorry if it's excessively honest, but that's what I would do.

I wouldn't necessarily say she would be hard pressed to get in at all, the carib schools tend to be a little more forgiving. But I do agree that it would probably be better to wait and put some more distance between you and the lower grades.

 

[david594]

I wouldn't. Not with those low of grades. Typically the only people they take early have really, really, really stellar credentials. Instead of wasting time and money applying early when it's really pretty unlikely you'll make it in early (honestly with failing one class and getting 60% in two early pre-reqs, you're going to find it hard pressed to get in at all, let alone early), I'd make sure the rest of your time was as good as you can get it along with adding in as many hours as possible. Sorry if it's excessively honest, but that's what I would do.

She isn't exactly applying early. Canadian Veterinary schools tend to track students to apply after 2 years.

 

[168135]

The vet I volunteer with, she got in her first try to the school in Sask. Her advisor told her not to apply... she didn't have stellar grades. She told me she got a C in Calculus... a C at my university is a 60.

I'd stay and re-take my courses this summer, but our family got a second vehicle and I was planning on going home and getting my drivers license this summer... which is something I kinda don't want to put off. My boyfriend, who is from the area which I go to university, is going away to university next year, so I kinda wanted to stick around next summer when he came back.

Also I should note that this year, my schedule is really sparse in Bio and chem courses. The only way I could get my schedule to work is if I took most of my degree requirements this year. I'm in Environmental, Cell and Molecular Bio, Genetics, and Organic Chem. The ones that really would benefit me (Vertebrate Zoology, Human Anatomy and Phys, Animal Behavour) I couldn't fit into my schedule and have to take next year. I wanted to re-take my math this year, but it conflicted with both Environmental (a degree requirement) and Chem. I should also note that I go to a small university.

If I apply, I'm scared that they're going to look at my bad marks and rule me out entirely no matter what I do to improve myself. Should I apply to the carib, and then leave the AVC for my fourth year? I'd rather go to the carib anyway 😛 I thought to get into the carib though, that you had to have completed your degree.

 

[Kylana]

Thanks Rex and Dyachei! It is good to know that physics isn't useless and I'll be able to use some of the information later when/if I get into vet school! 🙂 I'm actually looking forward to taking it a bit more now.