Pre-Req replacement grade question

[dptquestions]

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Hey Guys,

I will be applying next cycle and had a question regarding the transfer of pre-reqs. Early during my freshman year I received a C+ in Bio 1 and intro. To Psychology. I am a senior (anticipated to graduate in the fall) and am looking to retake these courses at a community college over the summer before the cycle opens. I know my state college will not accept the transfer of these credits, which does not really matter because since I received two C+s I got the credit towards graduation anyway. My question is if I retake these courses at community college this summer before graduating in December, will PTCAS use the higher grade earned at the community college even though the credit does not transfer to my state school? Would I only have to send a transcript from the community college showing the improved grades in these two courses to have them count rather than the 2 C+s? Thanks for your time guys, I appreciate it!🙂

 

[foomba]

From what I believe, they average the two grades, they do not just use the higher one. I also had a similar question. I took a business stats course at a university and ended up getting a C... and I am now currently graduated and at a community college to finish the other prereqs and I ended up using my AP credit from high school to get credit for the stats course here at the cc. When pt schools calculate my gpa... does that previous stats course get factored into the GPA or will that AP credit (assuming the pt schools accepts AP credit) just fulfill the stats requirement with no letter grade? Hopefully this makes sense, and thanks in advance!

 

[FuhLeePlay]

From what I believe, they average the two grades, they do not just use the higher one. I also had a similar question. I took a business stats course at a university and ended up getting a C... and I am now currently graduated and at a community college to finish the other prereqs and I ended up using my AP credit from high school to get credit for the stats course here at the cc. When pt schools calculate my gpa... does that previous stats course get factored into the GPA or will that AP credit (assuming the pt schools accepts AP credit) just fulfill the stats requirement with no letter grade? Hopefully this makes sense, and thanks in advance!

I think most schools don't accept AP credit. You should contact the schools directly and ask, they are honestly the only ones who can give you a clear answer.

 

[schnell8]

Yeah, it depends on the school actually...I had a one on one talk with an advisor from the school I am attending and last year before I applied, she was honest and bluntly explained how schools go about this situation...so here we go:

-It does vary school to school. Some will flat out not use retakes. Some will take the average of your old grade and your new grade. Some will flat out take your new grades only but acknowledge that it was a retake.

-If you retake a class, make sure you get a 4.0 in it. Even a 3.5 will give the admission committees a giant red flag. If you retake a class, they expect you to 'get it' the next time around..especially if it is a science pre-req.

-When you retake classes it CAN ding you a bit...If you went up against someone with identical stats as you and they did not have any retakes, they will get accepted over you.HOWEVER, it is important to note that some schools will allow up to 2 or 3 retakes with NO PENALTY/DING.

-Community College credits will depend on your school as you have seen already. In terms of getting 'dinged', there are some schools that will ding you for having community college credit over university credit (I don't think there are many though..but something to look into). You will especially need a 4.0 if they are Community College credits.

Anyways, just remember that if you do something to improve your chances for one school, it could negatively impact you for another school. It is unfortunate that each school does things so differently sometimes. Definitely consider what will help you and hinder you. For me, I was fortunate enough that all of my schools accepted community college credits no problem. I was dinged for retaking 3 classes, my I got 4.0s in all 3 which brought my GPA up a ton...In a way, I took a step back to go 3 steps forward by doing those retakes. It can be a risk as well if you get a horrible teacher...really check out ratemyprofessor.com and try your best to get a good professor...I'm sure many of you can agree with this, but I am a firm believer that your grade depends more on your professor most of the time rather than how hard you work and study...(thats a whole other topic..but if anyone wants to get into this subject more, id be glad to start up a post and have friendly debate about it). Anyways, I hope this helps you out a bit...but this is what was said to me straight from an admissions advisor at my school.

 

[Balliamo402]

I think most schools don't accept AP credit. You should contact the schools directly and ask, they are honestly the only ones who can give you a clear answer.

Agreed - definitely check with the schools in advance.

Just to add to this, I believe most (if not all) schools will NOT accept AP credit scores for math and science prereqs. However, some schools may take non-math/-science AP credits. English Writing & Composition is a general education requirement at my college (and a prereq for the PT program I will be attending), but with my AP credit from high school, I was exempt from taking the course, and this is indicated on my transcript. I inquired with the PT program I will be attending if this would be accepted, and they told me yes.

 

[dptquestions]

Thanks a lot guys that gives me a better understanding of the situation!