Pre-req GPA question.

[Aero SSX]

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So I took intro Chemistry a while back (not Chem I, below that) and got a C. I took Chem I later and got a B. I assume this is fine, because the first Chem wasn't the same course, but do you think some schools might look at that? I ended up with an A in Chem II.

I also retook A&P I after getting a C. I got an A on the retake and an A in A&P II. I'm also retaking Bio I, which I originally got a C in. Assuming I get an A in Bio I and II, I don't see any issues, but I'm wondering if you guys do.

Some schools only allow 2 pre-reqs to be retaken, and C's are obviously frowned upon. I can ask the schools individually some time if I want, but I just want your general opinion on it. Thanks.

 

[redrose424]

It is true that some schools only allow a certain number of retakes. Also, some schools will only average your scores in the classes (so if you got a C the first time and an A the second that leaves you with a B) rather than simply taking the highest school. But that all depends on where you are applying. Overall, I don't see an issue (especially with the lower level C in chemistry as long as your cGPA is good).

 

[Edification]

So I took intro Chemistry a while back (not Chem I, below that) and got a C. I took Chem I later and got a B. I assume this is fine, because the first Chem wasn't the same course, but do you think some schools might look at that? I ended up with an A in Chem II.

I also retook A&P I after getting a C. I got an A on the retake and an A in A&P II. I'm also retaking Bio I, which I originally got a C in. Assuming I get an A in Bio I and II, I don't see any issues, but I'm wondering if you guys do.

Some schools only allow 2 pre-reqs to be retaken, and C's are obviously frowned upon. I can ask the schools individually some time if I want, but I just want your general opinion on it. Thanks.

Hey there! I am in a very similar position as you, so hopefully I can provide some insight. In my earlier undergrad years, I got a C in almost all the prerequisite courses (gen Chems, gen Bio, human anat/phys, gen physics). Since then, I have retaken all of these courses as well as Ochem and received primarily As (3.8 GPA in last 45 credits).

The unfortunate news is.. Yes, PTCAS will average ALL courses. There is no academic forgiveness, and this will be reflected in your cGPA, pGPA, and sGPA. This may now affect some schools that you're applying to IF they do not do their own calculations. Regarding your lower level chem class, while it may not be reflected in the self reported pGPA, it will still affect your cGPA and your sGPA (chem, bio, physics, and anatomy courses all averaged together).

The best thing to do here is to research schools that calculate their own pGPA or do not require sGPA. Most schools on PTCAS will unfortunately use the PTCAS calculated cGPA, so we're out of luck there. Hope this helps!

 

[Aero SSX]

Hey there! I am in a very similar position as you, so hopefully I can provide some insight. In my earlier undergrad years, I got a C in almost all the prerequisite courses (gen Chems, gen Bio, human anat/phys, gen physics). Since then, I have retaken all of these courses as well as Ochem and received primarily As (3.8 GPA in last 45 credits).

The unfortunate news is.. Yes, PTCAS will average ALL courses. There is no academic forgiveness, and this will be reflected in your cGPA, pGPA, and sGPA. This may now affect some schools that you're applying to IF they do not do their own calculations. Regarding your lower level chem class, while it may not be reflected in the self reported pGPA, it will still affect your cGPA and your sGPA (chem, bio, physics, and anatomy courses all averaged together).

The best thing to do here is to research schools that calculate their own pGPA or do not require sGPA. Most schools on PTCAS will unfortunately use the PTCAS calculated cGPA, so we're out of luck there. Hope this helps!

I'm not concerned about the grades being averaged. My concern was whether the introductory Chem that I got a C in would somehow be linked to Chem I, which I got a B in, and thus the two are averaged together, dropping my average grade for the class below a B.

I understand the averages and all of that in general, it's just that very specific instance that I wondered about. I'm fine with A&P/Bio I averaging to a B.

 

[okramango]

The Intro to Chem class grade shouldn't affect your prereq GPA at all, since it's not a prereq. It'll only affect your cumulative GPA. Only your Gen Chem 1 & 2 grades will affect your prereq GPA.