Question about retaking courses and addressing old grades

[FancyZach]

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So I've read some mixed things about retaking grades after a certain point and was hoping for some help.

I'm 25, currently in an MSPH program, several years out of undergrad. cGPA was 3.26, sGPA 3.0, microbiology major. Lots of BPCM credits unfortunately. Most of my GPA problems stem from a whole bunch of Cs and a C- sophomore year, but I had a strong upward trend junior and senior year.

Question 1:
Should I try and retake the OChem and Calc classes that I got Cs in? I had 4 semesters of mostly hard science classes after that are mostly As with some Bs, plus a good amount of graduate science classes I've done well in.

Does it seem like a waste of time and money to potentially retake classes with that many credits? Also I was planning on taking them in summer....it's the only time I will have space with my program sequencing, but I know summer classes are usually easier. Would taking them at a CC potentially look like a cop out as well? Should I just hope that the upward trend and lots of advanced science classes make up for it? Maybe just retake OChem since it's the most pertinent as far as prereqs go? That C- was OChem 1, I should at least retake that right? Or no?

Question 2:
Part of the reason my grades took such a nosedive sophomore year was it was the first time I had to study subjects I'd never seen before, and my highschool study strategies were suddenly no good. The other (big) reason was my grandfather and aunt both passed away, a friend committed suicide, and I hospitalized another friend after she started showing signs of schizophrenia, all within the same month. Like a mature 19 year old I dealt with this by only showing up to classes to take exams for the rest of the semester.

Should I even mention this in my personal statement or an "explain lapses in grades" essay? If so do I go into the big story about what happened when and finally figuring out that counseling was actually super helpful and sleeping all day was not? Or do I just put something about extenuating circumstances? I don't want to try to spin a big long sob story or make excuses. Should I just say I was immature and hadn't learned to study well and leave it at that?

Sorry for the wall of text! I'm just getting really nervous about actually applying finally maybe. It's probably MCAT studying just making me crazy. 😳

 

[Juan Solo]

Response 1: If you feel like you need to demonstrate your ability to do well in those classes that you received C's in then you should. Taking them at a CC after graduation isn't looked as bad as you think. For some people it's the most realistic option and in my personal opinion the drop off isn't that big compared to a four year university.

Response 2: Many people are faced with "life" challenges and their academic performance takes a dip. It's only natural. If you feel like you have grown as a person and a student as a result of these experiences then why not mention them in your personal statement. Especially if they served as a motivation/learning experience to pursue medicine. Personal growth is key IMO.

Good luck!

 

[take the shot]

So I've read some mixed things about retaking grades after a certain point and was hoping for some help.

I'm 25, currently in an MSPH program, several years out of undergrad. cGPA was 3.26, sGPA 3.0, microbiology major. Lots of BPCM credits unfortunately. Most of my GPA problems stem from a whole bunch of Cs and a C- sophomore year, but I had a strong upward trend junior and senior year.

Question 1:
Should I try and retake the OChem and Calc classes that I got Cs in? I had 4 semesters of mostly hard science classes after that are mostly As with some Bs, plus a good amount of graduate science classes I've done well in.

Does it seem like a waste of time and money to potentially retake classes with that many credits? Also I was planning on taking them in summer....it's the only time I will have space with my program sequencing, but I know summer classes are usually easier. Would taking them at a CC potentially look like a cop out as well? Should I just hope that the upward trend and lots of advanced science classes make up for it? Maybe just retake OChem since it's the most pertinent as far as prereqs go? That C- was OChem 1, I should at least retake that right? Or no?

Question 2:
Part of the reason my grades took such a nosedive sophomore year was it was the first time I had to study subjects I'd never seen before, and my highschool study strategies were suddenly no good. The other (big) reason was my grandfather and aunt both passed away, a friend committed suicide, and I hospitalized another friend after she started showing signs of schizophrenia, all within the same month. Like a mature 19 year old I dealt with this by only showing up to classes to take exams for the rest of the semester.

Should I even mention this in my personal statement or an "explain lapses in grades" essay? If so do I go into the big story about what happened when and finally figuring out that counseling was actually super helpful and sleeping all day was not? Or do I just put something about extenuating circumstances? I don't want to try to spin a big long sob story or make excuses. Should I just say I was immature and hadn't learned to study well and leave it at that?

Sorry for the wall of text! I'm just getting really nervous about actually applying finally maybe. It's probably MCAT studying just making me crazy. 😳

Hello, I am a 4th year med student. My early undergrad years were all about partying and dating, not studying. I had a lot of bad grades to overcome, especially self-study courses where I never quite found the time to take the exam. It's really embarassing having 3 Fs in Algebra 1) 😎

Luckily I did well in microbiology and chemistry, but when I decided to go to med school I still needed to take physics and the lab. I totally took advantage of this to kick ass and show the med school admissions committee I had what it took to do well in med school.

My point? I would strongly encourage you to repeat your organic chemistry courses and do stellar in them. I know its really annoying and time consuming, but the problem is that there will be other applicants who did not have challenges in their lives and did fine in all their coursework. It is even more painful to be rejected and have to wait a year to re-apply.

I would also definitely discuss these issues in your personal statement. Admission committees usually understand how your family issues can impact a student, but you do need to show you have overcome these problems. They do like people who have overcome these personal challenges so you can spin all this to your advantage...that is why getting great grades at this point will do you a world of good. Do whatever it takes to kick butt: that includes getting help from your professors, do all problems, tutoring, etc... You really want to get As so they will know it was only personal struggles that kept you from doing well initially, not because you lack ability or motivation. By the way, these grades are not a predictor of how you'll do in med school. One of my buddies taught MCAT courses for Kaplan but has struggled some with clinical work.

Nothing wrong with community college, but if it's possible I would take classes at a university. It's just perception but typically it's thought that they are more rigorous.

I wish you the best of luck!

 

[columbiaPBTG]

So I've read some mixed things about retaking grades after a certain point and was hoping for some help.

I'm 25, currently in an MSPH program, several years out of undergrad. cGPA was 3.26, sGPA 3.0, microbiology major. Lots of BPCM credits unfortunately. Most of my GPA problems stem from a whole bunch of Cs and a C- sophomore year, but I had a strong upward trend junior and senior year.

Question 1:
Should I try and retake the OChem and Calc classes that I got Cs in? I had 4 semesters of mostly hard science classes after that are mostly As with some Bs, plus a good amount of graduate science classes I've done well in.

Does it seem like a waste of time and money to potentially retake classes with that many credits? Also I was planning on taking them in summer....it's the only time I will have space with my program sequencing, but I know summer classes are usually easier. Would taking them at a CC potentially look like a cop out as well? Should I just hope that the upward trend and lots of advanced science classes make up for it? Maybe just retake OChem since it's the most pertinent as far as prereqs go? That C- was OChem 1, I should at least retake that right? Or no?

Question 2:
Part of the reason my grades took such a nosedive sophomore year was it was the first time I had to study subjects I'd never seen before, and my highschool study strategies were suddenly no good. The other (big) reason was my grandfather and aunt both passed away, a friend committed suicide, and I hospitalized another friend after she started showing signs of schizophrenia, all within the same month. Like a mature 19 year old I dealt with this by only showing up to classes to take exams for the rest of the semester.

Should I even mention this in my personal statement or an "explain lapses in grades" essay? If so do I go into the big story about what happened when and finally figuring out that counseling was actually super helpful and sleeping all day was not? Or do I just put something about extenuating circumstances? I don't want to try to spin a big long sob story or make excuses. Should I just say I was immature and hadn't learned to study well and leave it at that?

Sorry for the wall of text! I'm just getting really nervous about actually applying finally maybe. It's probably MCAT studying just making me crazy. 😳

1. You should definitely retake those classes. Not only to improve your grade but also to brush up on material for MCAT. 🙂 Of course, you need to make sure you ace those classes. Apparently, med schools don't like it when you retake courses and get either the same grade or a lower grade, which happened to me when I retook calculus and flubbed it spectacularly.

2. You should definitely mention those things in your personal statement! The things you went through is the type of stuff many people do not recover from but you did! Not only that you're continuing to pursue your dream. That's inspirational; hell, it inspired me! Also it's not like you slacked off because you just didn't want to work, you had extenuating family and personal issues that severely impeded your academic performance. I'm no admissions officer but I'm sure if you let them know about it and show them marked improvement in the retakes you will be able to send in a stellar application!

Good luck!! 😀😀

 

[DOhope]

Similar Situation

Follow up questions...

My stats:
B.S. Chemical Engineer (2.86gpa)
M.S. Cell Bio (3.74 gpa)

3.11cgpa / 3.24 sgpa / 25P MCAT

Question 1: What counts for a retake?
I did poorly in Orgo II , C+ (one of a few classes I did poorly due to illness during my undergrad, Appendicitis )
Now I pursued a masters. First semester I took Biochemistry and earned an A. However, later upon the completion of my Masters degree I learned about this "grade forgiveness policy". I then asked if I could retake my Orgo II. The graduate school said NO. Reason 1. They do not condone retaking courses C+ or better. Reason 2 masters level Biochem required Orgo II as a pre-rec. So apparently if I had wanted to retake Orgo II...I needed to do it before starting my masters. Reason 3...I TA'd for Orgo >< during my masters so it would screw with their records that a TA retake the class they were assisting in. So for med school apps...does BioChem /w lab sub in /replace Orgo II?

Question 2: Aside from math courses Calc II, Calc IV (DiffQ) the only other C's I had from undergraduate were Chemical Engineering specific. These courses are hard to find in a post-bac setting. Thoughts on how to overcome this?

 

[kami333]

Similar Situation

Follow up questions...

My stats:
B.S. Chemical Engineer (2.86gpa)
M.S. Cell Bio (3.74 gpa)

3.11cgpa / 3.24 sgpa / 25P MCAT

Question 1: What counts for a retake?
I did poorly in Orgo II , C+ (one of a few classes I did poorly due to illness during my undergrad, Appendicitis )
Now I pursued a masters. First semester I took Biochemistry and earned an A. However, later upon the completion of my Masters degree I learned about this "grade forgiveness policy". I then asked if I could retake my Orgo II. The graduate school said NO. Reason 1. They do not condone retaking courses C+ or better. Reason 2 masters level Biochem required Orgo II as a pre-rec. So apparently if I had wanted to retake Orgo II...I needed to do it before starting my masters. Reason 3...I TA'd for Orgo >< during my masters so it would screw with their records that a TA retake the class they were assisting in. So for med school apps...does BioChem /w lab sub in /replace Orgo II?

Question 2: Aside from math courses Calc II, Calc IV (DiffQ) the only other C's I had from undergraduate were Chemical Engineering specific. These courses are hard to find in a post-bac setting. Thoughts on how to overcome this?

Q1: Retakes are between you and AACOMAS, not the school so it doesn't matter what the school policy for retakes is. Though you may have to wait until you've finished your degree or take it at different school if you need to have your adviser sign off on your schedule or something. Some of my retakes were out of sequence (retook phys I after phys II, just happened due to scheduling conflicts) and I retook orgo after biochem as well, no issues. At some schools biochem can substitute as orgo II for fulfilling prereqs but you shouldn't have an issue since you have a C+ in orgo II anyways.

Q2: take them in an informal postbacc? Though I guess the problem is that engineering college is a separate program you have to apply to at many universities so you may have to go talk to the department and see what your options are.

I'd calculate out your GPAs following the AMCAS and AACOMAS guidelines and see where you stand and how many classes you need to get over a 3.0.

 

[DOhope]

My AACOMAS stats are...

3.11 cpga and 3.24 sgpa (no retakes)