pre req advice... again...

[gracietiger]

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Hi all,
I know that I have posted about this same topic fairly recently, but I am still very confused and hope you will not mind offering me some advice. Again.

Quick background: graduated from college several years ago as a humanities major, thought I hated/sucked at science, needless to say, did not perform well in the science classes I did take. These included intro chem and bio, both of which were C+'s. I also took stats and calc, obtained about B's for both.

Fast forward ten years later, turns out I not only really enjoy science, but I'm also killing my science classes. I have retaken the chem and bio, was number one of two ranked in all of those classes, and am currently retaking a stats course, though it is not the equivalent number of credits needed so I am not sure if vet schools will even average it in. At the least, though, I am hoping that I can at least "prove" that I am in a different place now and that I have the capacity to excel in courses that I didn't previously.

I am still very torn about whether or not I should retake the calculus courses. I have a choice between retaking calculus, averaging in what I am confident will be A's with my previous grades of B or B+'s, and then taking a biostats course (which requires calculus) that will definitely meet the number of credits needed (which will mean my "new" grades will be equally averaged with the old ones) OR taking some upper division science courses that are not required at the schools I am applying to (like microbio).

What would you guys suggest? I am specifically interested in Penn.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all have been very helpful to me.

 

[variegata]

Since you said "fast forward 10 years later," it's entirely possible that the classes you took under your humanities degree have expired. Depending on the school, courses are good only for a certain number of years (8 or something, maybe...you'd have to research it). So if you got that degree 10 years ago, said stats class and the bio and chem classes you did poorly in may have no bearing on the GPA the schools are concerned about.

That being said, if you got a B or a B+ in a class, I probably wouldn't bother to retake it anyway. A B isn't a bad grade, so you might as well take a new upper-level class that will teach you new material.

 

[gracietiger]

Thank you so much for your advice! Unfortunately, I suppose, my previous grades won't be considered expired at the schools I will be applying to. I think you are right that I may be getting too hung up on B's because they are not bad, but I think it's more about me feeling a lot of pressure to prove that I was in a totally different place when I took those previous courses. I feel very confidently that I would rock them now, so it almost seems like those B's don't represent the person who is applying now. I am definitely more interested in taking some more interesting courses over a calculus or additional stats course!

 

[Shanomong]

.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Of course talking to Penn directly is the best course of action, but I will add some of my thoughts anyway!

Take upper level classes instead. If you are doing well in the sciences now then it is hardly going to matter about a couple of mediocre grades from a decade ago. Taking upperlevel classes demonstrates something new, i.e. you can handle the difficult science classes to come in vet school.

When I talked to Penn admissions they said that even though they admitted me, they were concerned that I would be way behind all the other students who have taken so many upper level bio classes. In my case they could overlook that (because I am just that good ), but why give them a reason to even think about it. You have a chance to prove otherwise, I say take it.

Personally I have enjoyed learning new material, rather than the 1 or 2 classes I had to re-take because they were so old I couldn't remember them at all (let's just say, when I went to school there was no internet, no cell phones, and computers were only for rich kids). I would guess you feel the same way.

Good Luck.

 

[gracietiger]

Thank you all so much. Your insights are very helpful, and I am very much leaning towards taking more upper divisions. I am WAY more interested in taking additional bio courses that will pertain to material taught in vet school rather than taking more calculus. I have contacted Penn about this a few times, and they are very kind in answering my questions, but not very helpful. Understandably so, as they cannot really tell me what I "should" do and then risk me blaming them for giving me poor advice if I don't get accepted. So Penn can really only remind me of my options.

startingovervet, I am glad you shared that Penn had expressed a desire for you to take more upper levels. I know others on here have had experiences (perhaps at other schools) where the upper level courses were not really considered to be any kind of enhancement. That is why I have been so torn, but if Penn takes a liking to them, I can't go wrong.

shanomong, thanks for sharing your experiences in overcoming bad grades! there is hope!

 

[BlacKAT33]

startingovervet, I am glad you shared that Penn had expressed a desire for you to take more upper levels. I know others on here have had experiences (perhaps at other schools) where the upper level courses were not really considered to be any kind of enhancement. That is why I have been so torn, but if Penn takes a liking to them, I can't go wrong.

😕 i have never heard this. maybe if they were upper levels non-science?? but all schools love upper level sci courses. not that i have proof or data to back that up...but i'll still say it. ALL schools like upper level sci courses and it WILL be an enhancement to your app. If they are choosing between 2 candidates and one has taken upper level sci's and the other has not...the decision will be easy. If you look at the schools websites they all say "required courses ..." "recommended courses [upperlevel bio's, anatomy, phys etc].."


edit: on Penns FAQ's: "Although these are the basic prerequisites, in the current competitive market, many applicants have more upper-level biology courses, and most have included at least one semester of biochemistry."

 

[StartingoverVet]

If they are choosing between 2 candidates and one has taken upper level sci's and the other has not...the decision will be easy.

Hey BlacKAT, you're giving me an inferiority complex. If this were completely true I would have been screwed.

To nit-pick, you should have said. "ceteris parabus..."
Luckily for me, all other things were not equal!

 

[BlacKAT33]

Hey BlacKAT, you're giving me an inferiority complex. If this were completely true I would have been screwed.

To nit-pick, you should have said. "ceteris parabus..."
Luckily for me, all other things were not equal!

ah yes, that is exactly what i meant "with other things the same". You were definitely not the same as anyone else who applied lol