PLEASE help me and my screwed up situation!

[bluedm2010]

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So here goes: during my undergrad, I did pretty terribly at my pre-med courses. So I told myself that I'd do a post-bac after graduating with my Psychology degree. Fast forward 4 years, and I enrolled in a Post Bac at a different university, retook many of my pre-med requisites and did MUCH better.

However, when I filled out my AACOMAS, I did not know that grade replacement policy only counted for courses with the SAME NUMBER OF CREDITS OR MORE! Unfortunately, most of the retakes I took did not fit into this requirement. For example, the first time I took Physics I it was 5 credits and I got a D. During my retake of Physics I at a different school, it was 4 credits and I got an A-. Thus, even though I scored higher the second time, the abysmal bad first grade still remains. This same credit situation happened with two Physics classes and three Chemistry classes. IF everything had properly been grade replaced, my Science GPA would be around 3.3. As it stands now, it is 2.5.

SO, my question is, which option is better?
1. Retake these pre-med requisites for a THIRD time, which would be annoying and pointless but raise my sci gpa fastest.
2. Take upper-level versions of these courses, knowing that I can't do grade replacement, but it will show that I am capable of upper-level work.
I'M SO SCREWED PLEASE HELP! I really need some good advice. At this point, I'm just trying to get my Sci Gpa to a point where I can apply to an SMP.

 

[Vita]

I'd say just take some upper level classes if that is what you were planning to do. It would be pointless to redo the classes again just to get a number. Taking upper levels will help raise your GPA while also proving that you are a better student now.

You can also try to contact the admins at the schools where you are applying and let them know about your situation so that they take into account that the grade replacement didn't go through. I'd say most places would look at the individual grades in your case and note the improvement.

Good luck!

 

[fiznat]

Yikes. Have you tried contacting AACOMAS to discuss the issue? I've never heard of a 5 credit basic science undergrad course. Seems excessive.

 

[ItzYaYa]

Yikes. Have you tried contacting AACOMAS to discuss the issue? I've never heard of a 5 credit basic science undergrad course. Seems excessive.

Lecture : 4/ Lab : 1?

 

[fiznat]

Lecture : 4/ Lab : 1?

Seems like a lot. I had a weird post-bacc path and ended up taking classes at a lot of different places, and it was always 3 for the lecture and 1 for the lab at most. A few places it was only 3 all together. I don't doubt that the OP is right it was 5 credits, but maybe there is some sort of conversion factor that can be applied, especially if the course offered nothing more than your typical basic science. I would definitely be on the phone with AACOMAS because otherwise it's going to be a long road.

 

[ItzYaYa]

Seems like a lot. I had a weird post-bacc path and ended up taking classes at a lot of different places, and it was always 3 for the lecture and 1 for the lab at most. A few places it was only 3 all together. I don't doubt that the OP is right it was 5 credits, but maybe there is some sort of conversion factor that can be applied, especially if the course offered nothing more than your typical basic science. I would definitely be on the phone with AACOMAS because otherwise it's going to be a long road.

OP, may the force be with you.

 

[Sloopy52]

Is this simply a result of originally taking the class at a semester school and doing a post-bacc at a quarter school? Our science classes are 5 cr b/c it's on the qtr system. I would think that AACOMAS would take sem-->qtr conversion into account. I'm just a pre-med, so no authority, but I would def. contact AACOMAS and ask about this.

 

[fiznat]

Is this simply a result of originally taking the class at a semester school and doing a post-bacc at a quarter school? Our science classes are 5 cr b/c it's on the qtr system. I would think that AACOMAS would take sem-->qtr conversion into account. I'm just a pre-med, so no authority, but I would def. contact AACOMAS and ask about this.

Yeah thats what I meant about some conversion factor. 5 credits seems like a lot, maybe (hopefully) there is a simple issue here that AACOMAS can help you resolve.

 

[toledopower]

My school offers all pre-med reqs as 5 credit hours. I thought it was weird at first too.

 

[bluedm2010]

i tried asking aacomas if there was anything i could do, and they were pretty adamant about the grade replacement policy. my old university had most of its science classes with 5 credit options only. i had no idea how weird this was until now! and both universities are semester schools.

 

[bluedm2010]

looks like i'm stuck with the retakes.....gahhh, its gonna be a long year...

 

[deleted245139]

why not matriculate and apply to a competitive post-bac program? It will give you the best shot at righting your ship. GL to you.

 

[bluedm2010]

irJanus, do you have any suggestions for specific programs?🙂

 

[deleted245139]

sure! im biased of course, but LECOM Erie has a post-bac program and ive seen student matriculate direct to the program. I can't speak to any preference come interview time, but I CAN say that youll have exposure to the faculty who sit on the interview committee as well as a nice exposure to a slice of a medical school course load.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

sure! im biased of course, but LECOM Erie has a post-bac program and ive seen student matriculate direct to the program. I can't speak to any preference come interview time, but I CAN say that youll have exposure to the faculty who sit on the interview committee as well as a nice exposure to a slice of a medical school course load.

I've heard that 3.0+ in the post-bacc = interview + likely acceptance.

 

[BatemanMD]

So here goes: during my undergrad, I did pretty terribly at my pre-med courses. So I told myself that I'd do a post-bac after graduating with my Psychology degree. Fast forward 4 years, and I enrolled in a Post Bac at a different university, retook many of my pre-med requisites and did MUCH better.

However, when I filled out my AACOMAS, I did not know that grade replacement policy only counted for courses with the SAME NUMBER OF CREDITS OR MORE! Unfortunately, most of the retakes I took did not fit into this requirement. For example, the first time I took Physics I it was 5 credits and I got a D. During my retake of Physics I at a different school, it was 4 credits and I got an A-. Thus, even though I scored higher the second time, the abysmal bad first grade still remains. This same credit situation happened with two Physics classes and three Chemistry classes. IF everything had properly been grade replaced, my Science GPA would be around 3.3. As it stands now, it is 2.5.

SO, my question is, which option is better?
1. Retake these pre-med requisites for a THIRD time, which would be annoying and pointless but raise my sci gpa fastest.
2. Take upper-level versions of these courses, knowing that I can't do grade replacement, but it will show that I am capable of upper-level work.
I'M SO SCREWED PLEASE HELP! I really need some good advice. At this point, I'm just trying to get my Sci Gpa to a point where I can apply to an SMP.

I have nearly the identical situation to yours. I merely submitted my AACOMAS application with the re-takes regardless of the credit count provided on my transcripts. For instance, my undergrad Chemistry I class was awarded a C over 5 credits; my postbacc Chem I class taken at another institution was awarded a B+ over 4 credits. AACOMAS did not second guess me and the 4 credit hour class shows up as the final re-take. I am submitted as of 06/06 and released to schools as of 06/23. I don't know whether I was just lucky, but I seriously doubt you will have much to worry about if you just submit as intended.

 

[bluedm2010]

hehe, seems like you were lucky. i was stopped in my tracks and had to resubmit multiple times because of the "errors" they caught.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Yeah thats what I meant about some conversion factor. 5 credits seems like a lot, maybe (hopefully) there is a simple issue here that AACOMAS can help you resolve.

My school is 5 credits for Bio, Gen Chem, and Organic Chem. It not only seems excessive but it is an excuse for professors to give more work. Labs are forced alongside lecture and worth 2 credits each. You need to do pre-labs, lab reports that are around 8 pages each, and other lab requirements that no other college in the area does.

 

[TriagePreMed]

OP, if aacomas doesn't accept it, I would recommend doing them for a third time. a 2.5 sGPA will not be forgiven.

 

[deleted245139]

I've heard that 3.0+ in the post-bacc = interview + likely acceptance.

no numbers to back it up, but that sounds like its probably pretty close. Id say >3.3 for insurance, and a solid interview

 

[TriagePreMed]

no numbers to back it up, but that sounds like its probably pretty close. Id say >3.3 for insurance, and a solid interview

That sounds pretty low to me. I would have thought 3.5 considering you're grade repairing.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

That sounds pretty low to me. I would have thought 3.5 considering you're grade repairing.

No, the LECOM post-bacc is a DO SMP, you're doing MS1 courses from what I've heard.

 

[deleted245139]

you're both sort of right... but I think the best answer may be this:
you're setting out to impress some people and prove to them (more importantly to yourself) that you are capable of the volume and difficulty of the work, and are willing to bust your a** to make it happen. Let the GPA fall where it may. If you're diligent and REALLY mean it when you say you're taking an extra academic 'step' in order to make your dreams come true, then your GPA will most likely reflect your effort and that 3.3-3.5 is absolutely realistic 🙂

 

[bleeker10]

No, the LECOM post-bacc is a DO SMP, you're doing MS1 courses from what I've heard.

You're not doing MS1 courses. You are doing MS1-like courses. They cover some of the same material but its not like what you do as an MS1. For instance, when they do anatomy its just the cavities from what I've heard. Also they have class in the late afternoon/early evenings. Things may have changed but this is the experience from a classmate who was in post-bac the year before we started.

 

[JESSFALLING]

I've heard that 3.0+ in the post-bacc = interview + likely acceptance.

DITTO. This may be your program. I'd consider applying.

 

[bluedm2010]

Thanks all!!! I appreciate the advice. I'll definitely check it out.