Old schooling from a long time ago.

[Brumz]

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So, way back about 10 years ago I took some college classes for a semester, failed them all, and dropped out of college. Several years later I got my head on straight, went back to a different school, and got a college degree.

I have never told any of the schools I've been to since about that other school because I had kinda just figured I was giving myself a fresh start. My intention was never to be devious, I just kinda categorized that as my "old life" and I started over. It never came up at any of the schools I have been to since. (And it never came up.)

I was reading on here that this could lead to some seriously crappy consequences for med schools (like getting found out and not accepted or even kicked out of a program) and I obviously don't want to happen.

So, in a scenario like this, what would be the best thing for me to do to negate that terrible semester? The thing that makes sense to me would be to get in contact with that school, find out what classes I took, see how many I have taken already that are equivalent classes for grade replacement, then take any others I haven't already taken so that I can do grade replacement for those as well.

Thing is, I am already doing one grade replacement now, and if I did that, that might give me about 5 total grade replacements, which would probably hurt my chances. On the other hand, perhaps hurt chances are better than getting kicked out.

Any advice, SDN?

 

[MedPR]

So, way back about 10 years ago I took some college classes for a semester, failed them all, and dropped out of college. Several years later I got my head on straight, went back to a different school, and got a college degree.

I have never told any of the schools I've been to since about that other school because I had kinda just figured I was giving myself a fresh start. My intention was never to be devious, I just kinda categorized that as my "old life" and I started over. It never came up at any of the schools I have been to since. (And it never came up.)

I was reading on here that this could lead to some seriously crappy consequences for med schools (like getting found out and not accepted or even kicked out of a program) and I obviously don't want to happen.

So, in a scenario like this, what would be the best thing for me to do to negate that terrible semester? The thing that makes sense to me would be to get in contact with that school, find out what classes I took, see how many I have taken already that are equivalent classes for grade replacement, then take any others I haven't already taken so that I can do grade replacement for those as well.

Thing is, I am already doing one grade replacement now, and if I did that, that might give me about 5 total grade replacements, which would probably hurt my chances. On the other hand, perhaps hurt chances are better than getting kicked out.

Any advice, SDN?

Definitely contact the school and figure out what you took. I did 4 retakes (on my 5th right now) and I'm doing fine with DO schools.

5 retakes is still better than 4 retakes and 1 F. Obviously you don't want to retake too many, but that's something you shouldn't worry about as long as your retakes are resulting in As.

 

[Brumz]

Definitely contact the school and figure out what you took. I did 4 retakes (on my 5th right now) and I'm doing fine with DO schools.

5 retakes is still better than 4 retakes and 1 F. Obviously you don't want to retake too many, but that's something you shouldn't worry about as long as your retakes are resulting in As.

Thanks for the quick answer (as always 🙂)

I figured this would be the best, and make the most sense.
Again, I never meant to be deceitful, but I certainly want to make sure no skeletons appear in my closet if I'm going to invest so much energy into getting into med school.

I'm sure all of the rest of you (especially the non-trads) will understand where I'm coming from.

 

[MedPR]

Thanks for the quick answer (as always 🙂)

I figured this would be the best, and make the most sense.
Again, I never meant to be deceitful, but I certainly want to make sure no skeletons appear in my closet if I'm going to invest so much energy into getting into med school.

I'm sure all of the rest of you (especially the non-trads) will understand where I'm coming from.

You have no idea how bad I wish I could bury my first two years of UG. That transcript is literally night and day. First two years = ~60 credits of almost all Cs and only 1 A. Last two years = ~60 credits of no Cs and almost all As.

Schools will definitely be understanding of your situation since your bad grades are from so long ago.

 

[Brumz]

Oh crap... One introductory math class I took at the first college was a 4 credit class and the one I took at the second college that was the equivalent class was a 3 credit class.

Any ideas on what to do?


EDIT - More info - It is a sub-100 level course, and it was not counted in my second school's official GPA. Does anybody know if AACOMAS counts these lower-than-college-level courses as part of our GPA?

 

[coolingglasses]

Oh crap... One introductory math class I took at the first college was a 4 credit class and the one I took at the second college that was the equivalent class was a 3 credit class.

Any ideas on what to do?


EDIT - More info - It is a sub-100 level course, and it was not counted in my second school's official GPA. Does anybody know if AACOMAS counts these lower-than-college-level courses as part of our GPA?

What matters is how it appears on your transcript w/r/t credits earned. Unfortunately AACOMAS won't credit you with a retake if it shows up on your transcript with the retake having lower hours. I had a 3.3 credit hour class that I failed replaced by a retake that was 3.0 credits, but they denied me. The difference in titles didn't help (Pre-Calc I vs. College Algebra), but ultimately I think that was why.

 

[ShabNasty]

Take it from someone who has done about 10 retakes for grade replacement, you will be fine. Just make sure you retake those classes you failed or had below a C. I have been told by an adcom that the amount of retakes I had didn't matter so much, it was the grade that I got when I retook it.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

how do those classes actually affect your GPA? if you have a 3.3, schools will see that you had a poor semester and a baller rest so you will be fine. if it drops you below a 3.0, start retaking. figure out what your GPA is from every class you have ever taken (use the AACOMAS grade replacement policy to figure up your gpa).

 

[Ochemlover45]

I retook 13 classes and I have 4 interview invites. All my class retakes were from courses ~10 years ago. It was never brought up in an interview, but I did get what did you learn from your previous mistakes and what traits do you have now that you wish you had then.

Thing is, I am already doing one grade replacement now, and if I did that, that might give me about 5 total grade replacements, which would probably hurt my chances. On the other hand, perhaps hurt chances are better than getting kicked out.

Any advice, SDN?

 

[Brumz]

Thanks for the input everyone, makes me feel a lot better.
I'm happy to not be hiding this, so that if I make it, it will be an accurate reflection on my abilities.

 

[Goro]

Consider this: You're at your interview and you'rwe asked about that gap in time right after high school and your morst recent collegiate work.

Are you going to lie?

Just document your past, own up to your past failings and how you overcame them, and you'll be fine.

So, way back about 10 years ago I took some college classes for a semester, failed them all, and dropped out of college. Several years later I got my head on straight, went back to a different school, and got a college degree.

I have never told any of the schools I've been to since about that other school because I had kinda just figured I was giving myself a fresh start. My intention was never to be devious, I just kinda categorized that as my "old life" and I started over. It never came up at any of the schools I have been to since. (And it never came up.)

I was reading on here that this could lead to some seriously crappy consequences for med schools (like getting found out and not accepted or even kicked out of a program) and I obviously don't want to happen.

So, in a scenario like this, what would be the best thing for me to do to negate that terrible semester? The thing that makes sense to me would be to get in contact with that school, find out what classes I took, see how many I have taken already that are equivalent classes for grade replacement, then take any others I haven't already taken so that I can do grade replacement for those as well.

Thing is, I am already doing one grade replacement now, and if I did that, that might give me about 5 total grade replacements, which would probably hurt my chances. On the other hand, perhaps hurt chances are better than getting kicked out.

Any advice, SDN?

 

[dsoz]

You can't lie about college classes. There is a college clearinghouse that keeps track of every college class for every student tracked by name, DOB and SSN (or student ID number). If you took a class, the medical school will know about it. If you lie, you won't get in. period. end of story.

Own up to the classes and retake those suckers to get an awesome grade. If you need to take that 4 credit class again, don't do it with a 3 credit class.

I am a non-trad, and while I did not need to retake classes, I have credits from seven different institutions. It sucks having to send in transcripts from all of them. I should have had them send transcripts to interfolio so I could send them out from there. Live and learn.

dsoz

 

[dudeliness]

You can't lie about college classes. There is a college clearinghouse that keeps track of every college class for every student tracked by name, DOB and SSN (or student ID number). If you took a class, the medical school will know about it. If you lie, you won't get in. period. end of story.

Own up to the classes and retake those suckers to get an awesome grade. If you need to take that 4 credit class again, don't do it with a 3 credit class.

I am a non-trad, and while I did not need to retake classes, I have credits from seven different institutions. It sucks having to send in transcripts from all of them. I should have had them send transcripts to interfolio so I could send them out from there. Live and learn.

dsoz

+1
Use interfolio if you have multiple transcripts. You can send them to AACOMAS that way, AND when you get into a school, you can send them to that school from interfolio. No more contacting each school and following up to be sure the transcripts are on their way.

Yeah, just retake what you need to in order to have your GPA be where it needs to be. I retook 5 classes and even after all that my GPA was a 3.45c and 3.32s, and I've done pretty well this cycle. Retakes are nothing to be scared of as long as you can show real improvement and know why you are better now than you were before.

 

[Brumz]

Are you going to lie?

You can't lie about college classes.

Hold on there, gentlemen... I never said I had any intention of lying. I said just the opposite.

I stated my problem, said how I thought I could fix it, and asked whether my plan to go about fixing the problem was the right way to go.

I always appreciate Goro's insight (and 4-armed fighting skills) but I think he misread my post and thought I was asking whether I could get away with lying and not reporting my grades. That's not the case at all.

I have no intention of trying to cheat or weasel my way into med school. I was asking whether my plan to negate that semester by retaking the failed courses would be a good idea, and whether 5 retakes was too many.


I also asked whether <100 level courses counted in my AACOMAS GPA, which I am sure is a question that Goro CAN definitively answer.

 

[dudeliness]

Hold on there, gentlemen... I never said I had any intention of lying. I said just the opposite.

I stated my problem, said how I thought I could fix it, and asked whether my plan to go about fixing the problem was the right way to go.

I always appreciate Goro's insight (and 4-armed fighting skills) but I think he misread my post and thought I was asking whether I could get away with lying and not reporting my grades. That's not the case at all.

I have no intention of trying to cheat or weasel my way into med school. I was asking whether my plan to negate that semester by retaking the failed courses would be a good idea, and whether 5 retakes was too many.


I also asked whether <100 level courses counted in my AACOMAS GPA, which I am sure is a question that Goro CAN definitively answer.

I bet AACOMAS could answer it too. And they may be quicker about it.
I'd be interested to know as well, but from what I understand, if its on your official transcript it gets included.

 

[HalfListic]

So, way back about 10 years ago I took some college classes for a semester, failed them all, and dropped out of college. Several years later I got my head on straight, went back to a different school, and got a college degree.

I have never told any of the schools I've been to since about that other school because I had kinda just figured I was giving myself a fresh start. My intention was never to be devious, I just kinda categorized that as my "old life" and I started over. It never came up at any of the schools I have been to since. (And it never came up.)

I was reading on here that this could lead to some seriously crappy consequences for med schools (like getting found out and not accepted or even kicked out of a program) and I obviously don't want to happen.

So, in a scenario like this, what would be the best thing for me to do to negate that terrible semester? The thing that makes sense to me would be to get in contact with that school, find out what classes I took, see how many I have taken already that are equivalent classes for grade replacement, then take any others I haven't already taken so that I can do grade replacement for those as well.

Thing is, I am already doing one grade replacement now, and if I did that, that might give me about 5 total grade replacements, which would probably hurt my chances. On the other hand, perhaps hurt chances are better than getting kicked out.

Any advice, SDN?

This is an easy answer. You can't give yourself a fresh start. Some schools (Texas) offer a fresh start after ten years, but you have to apply for it.

So the short answer, if its on a transcript it must be reported.

Btw, I don't think you are out to lie so just buckle down, take your past on and keep on doing good. You can overcome it, but you can't omit it.

Good luck

 

[Brumz]

how do those classes actually affect your GPA? if you have a 3.3, schools will see that you had a poor semester and a baller rest so you will be fine. if it drops you below a 3.0, start retaking. figure out what your GPA is from every class you have ever taken (use the AACOMAS grade replacement policy to figure up your gpa).

I plugged those classes into my GPA calculation spreadsheet.
Before that, my GPA was 3.39.
After that my GPA is 3.12. Ouch.

If I retake two of those classes that I could do here at my local college and get A's, it will put my GPA up to 3.32.
If I decide to make the 2 hour commute twice a week to retake that third class that I can't take at my local school, and get an A, it would put my GPA up to 3.43.

Any thoughts on whether that extra .11 to take a 3.32 to a 3.43 would be enough of a boost to make it worth it to take such a huge commitment?

 

[Brumz]

One thing is clear, I won't be retaking any other classes! (Good thing is, I don't have to, most of the rest of my grades are A's and B's with just a few C's)

Looks like I was wrong. 👎

 

[ShyRem]

Just be aware that DO app will do grade replacement. MD app does grade averaging.