Re-taking a pre req at a CC?

[Pktgresch]

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I have recently contacted a Podiatry school I am interested in attending (in 2013) and found out that I need to retake General Chemistry I. Since it is a pre-req Barry said that I need at least a C in the pre-reqs and I got a C- (a very shameful C-). I wont go into why I got the grade rather, I am concerned with how I can reconcile this for the schools I am going to apply. I would like to take the class over at a local community college because frankly it would be the easiest thing to do over next summer. If I do not go that route, I am worried that I will not be able to fit it into my scheduling as I am enrolled for Gen Chem II this fall (I declared my major a tad bit late). I looked at the courses offered by the CC and they have "Intro to General Chem I" and "Gen Chem I with qualitative analysis." Im guessing I should take the latter? My question then is would re-taking the class at a community college be acceptable? Also, I have heard that Podiatry schools do not partake in "grade replacement." Could some one clarify that for me? Barry told me that it is "ok" for me to retake the class and I could still be interviewed if I was still taking the class over.

 

[dyk343]

I have recently contacted a Podiatry school I am interested in attending (in 2013) and found out that I need to retake General Chemistry I. Since it is a pre-req Barry said that I need at least a C in the pre-reqs and I got a C- (a very shameful C-). I wont go into why I got the grade rather, I am concerned with how I can reconcile this for the schools I am going to apply. I would like to take the class over at a local community college because frankly it would be the easiest thing to do over next summer. If I do not go that route, I am worried that I will not be able to fit it into my scheduling as I am enrolled for Gen Chem II this fall (I declared my major a tad bit late). I looked at the courses offered by the CC and they have "Intro to General Chem I" and "Gen Chem I with qualitative analysis." Im guessing I should take the latter? My question then is would re-taking the class at a community college be acceptable? Also, I have heard that Podiatry schools do not partake in "grade replacement." Could some one clarify that for me? Barry told me that it is "ok" for me to retake the class and I could still be interviewed if I was still taking the class over.

I would call Barry to see if the class will qualify. My guess is that they will not care that you are taking it at a CC as long as you do well and have a decent gpa/mcat. I took a couple courses at a CC and it never came up in my interviews... but then again I didnt repeat any courses at a CC so that might be different.

There is no grade replacement for pod schools. If you got a D in a 5 credit course the first time around and retook the class and got a B for the same 5 credit course the credits would even out at 10 credits with a C average. At least thats my understanding.

 

[hematosis]

I would call Barry to see if the class will qualify. My guess is that they will not care that you are taking it at a CC as long as you do well and have a decent gpa/mcat. I took a couple courses at a CC and it never came up in my interviews... but then again I didnt repeat any courses at a CC so that might be different.

There is no grade replacement for pod schools. If you got a D in a 5 credit course the first time around and retook the class and got a B for the same 5 credit course the credits would even out at 10 credits with a C average. At least thats my understanding.

correct.

 

[RATM2010]

Look at the class from the local 4 yr and see what CC chem class will transfer over as equivalent. Just make sure you do a lot better on the CC class since....

#1. it is a retake
#2. it is a retake at a CC

PS: All in all, make sure your your GPA is >2.7 (preferred >3.0) and the mcat is somewhere around 20-21 (22 for OCPM) and you will be able to get in somewhere as long as you apply early and broad.

 

[TheFootDoc]

Look at the class from the local 4 yr and see what CC chem class will transfer over as equivalent. Just make sure you do a lot better on the CC class since....

#1. it is a retake
#2. it is a retake at a CC

PS: All in all, make sure your your GPA is >2.7 (preferred >3.0) and the mcat is somewhere around 20-21 (22 for OCPM) and you will be able to get in somewhere as long as you apply early and broad.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I was going to say the exact same. Couldn't agree more 👍

Anything less than an A/- pretty much defeats the purpose of retaking the course.

 

[Red sea]

Since we are on the subject of re-takes,:
I'll be re-taking Chem I for the third time when schools resumes in the fall and at some point I'll also re-take Bio 101. I got a W the first time I took Chem 1, the second time I got an F. If I'm able to get an A/A- this time around, could it pull it up to that required C? I know this is pretty bad and I've been told like 80x but theres nothing I can do about the past now.

 

[fivescrew]

Was BIO 101 an F too?

 

[TheFootDoc]

Since we are on the subject of re-takes,:
I'll be re-taking Chem I for the third time when schools resumes in the fall and at some point I'll also re-take Bio 101. I got a W the first time I took Chem 1, the second time I got an F. If I'm able to get an A/A- this time around, could it pull it up to that required C? I know this is pretty bad and I've been told like 80x but theres nothing I can do about the past now.

If you get A/A- this time, yes, you will have fulfilled the min req of C. However having taken the course previously for an F the averaged "numerical value" will remain at C/C- in your gpa.

You should focus on getting that A now. Worry about how your track record will be looked upon later, after getting that A. Trust me it's not THAT bad.

Good luck 👍

 

[Red sea]

Was BIO 101 an F too?

It was a D

 

[fivescrew]

Was it the lab requirements for those courses that caused the low grades? I'm just asking because you might want to figure out what was the cause of the bad grades before attempting a retake or risk falling into the same quagmire.

 

[RATM2010]

It was a D

I am curious to know your sci gpa. Let me tell you right now that a sci GPA <2.7 = rejection from all pod schools. If you are hovering around 2.5 or so, you will need to do a postbcc to gain entry to pod school. Sorry, but this is the 99.99999% truth.

 

[Iamyourfaja]

Since we are on the subject of re-takes,:
I'll be re-taking Chem I for the third time when schools resumes in the fall and at some point I'll also re-take Bio 101. I got a W the first time I took Chem 1, the second time I got an F. If I'm able to get an A/A- this time around, could it pull it up to that required C? I know this is pretty bad and I've been told like 80x but theres nothing I can do about the past now.

Did you study at all for these classes? If so, there's no good reason to do so poorly. I got a D in Chem my first semester of college because I was an idiot. Step it up and get all A's/B's in every science course you take from now on. It takes work to get good grades in college, not genius.

 

[Red sea]

Was it the lab requirements for those courses that caused the low grades? I'm just asking because you might want to figure out what was the cause of the bad grades before attempting a retake or risk falling into the same quagmire.

First time taking Chem, I was fooling around partying and enjoying the freedom in college and didn't do any work. Luckily I was able to withdraw. Second time taking it, I was doing 18 credits and Chem AND Bio and I really didn't know how to study and I couldn't handle the 18 credit load. It's sad cause I actually tried to do work and study that semester but I struggled with bad studying skills and as a result I couldn't handle it all.'i got really discouraged at mid term grades and gave up on myself. I basically stopped attending Chem and I had started getting paperwork together to withdraw again but ambition made me tear it up thinking I could change things around and get a C. But around the same time it wasn't only my Chem class that I stopped going I stopped going to some other classes and that brought my grades down so it became a battle to get a 2.0 so i wouldn't get thrown out of school and my chances of winning that was to basically fail Chem and throw my strength into my other courses. I still didn't get the 2.0 and I will be on probation come this fall. I didn't pass a single Bio exam and I didn't do some assignments in bio lab. It was only by an extra credit that I got that D. I've tackled some of my issues this summer like learning how to study. And im taking a light load in the fall.

 

[Red sea]

I am curious to know your sci gpa. Let me tell you right now that a sci GPA <2.7 = rejection from all pod schools. If you are hovering around 2.5 or so, you will need to do a postbcc to gain entry to pod school. Sorry, but this is the 99.99999% truth.

I don't know it. I've only been in college for 2 semesters and credits wise im still a freshman. Courses that I've taken that counts towards the science GPA:
Chem I: W, F
Bio (first part): D
Statistics: B-

I don't know what my science GPA is and the highest I can raise it to. I know the highest I can raise my cumulative GPA to is a 3.5 if I get a 4.0 every semester

 

[BioPod]

First time taking Chem, I was fooling around partying and enjoying the freedom in college and didn't do any work. Luckily I was able to withdraw. Second time taking it, I was doing 18 credits and Chem AND Bio and I really didn't know how to study and I couldn't handle the 18 credit load. It's sad cause I actually tried to do work and study that semester but I struggled with bad studying skills and as a result I couldn't handle it all.'i got really discouraged at mid term grades and gave up on myself. I basically stopped attending Chem and I had started getting paperwork together to withdraw again but ambition made me tear it up thinking I could change things around and get a C. But around the same time it wasn't only my Chem class that I stopped going I stopped going to some other classes and that brought my grades down so it became a battle to get a 2.0 so i wouldn't get thrown out of school and my chances of winning that was to basically fail Chem and throw my strength into my other courses. I still didn't get the 2.0 and I will be on probation come this fall. I didn't pass a single Bio exam and I didn't do some assignments in bio lab. It was only by an extra credit that I got that D. I've tackled some of my issues this summer like learning how to study. And im taking a light load in the fall.

This worries me. If you had this much difficulty with 18 credit hours you might want to reconsider medicine as a career option. I really do apologize for saying that and my intentions are not to be an ass, but I am trying to be honest with you. In any Medical School you end up taking more credit hours than that plus classes are at a much faster pace.

If you really are determined to be a doctor you are only doing yourself a disfavor by keeping your load light in undergrad. I understand if you want to get your footing by taking a light load, but I would not recommend making this a habit. Hopefully with your new found way of studying things will go much smoother for you, but if things continue in the same way as before I honestly suggest reconsidering your career choice.

 

[Red sea]

Did you study at all for these classes? If so, there's no good reason to do so poorly. I got a D in Chem my first semester of college because I was an idiot. Step it up and get all A's/B's in every science course you take from now on. It takes work to get good grades in college, not genius.

Well the biggest issue I faced this semester was "how do I study for every class every day?" I spent the first few weeks drawing up about 10 different daily study schedules all which never really worked. I wasn't able to study for everything and so I fell behind and it was hard to catch up. Part of the problem was that i often over complicate things thinking of this concept of some kind of big picture to everything. I also tried by all means to avoid memorization because I was focused on trying to get this big concept behind it all. I tried to do too much at once rather than break things up into parts and you can't be build Rome in a day so that ended up hurting me. I also listened to bad advice and council and didn't drop to a lighter course load that I could handle atleast after a bad start to college where I didn't do any work, starting out with 18 wasn't too smart. I didn't study at all for Bio because I would let the other classes get in the way. And for Chemistry I was spending enough time with the problems so I got lost very early on. Bad studying skills and management

 

[Red sea]

This worries me. If you had this much difficulty with 18 credit hours you might want to reconsider medicine as a career option. I really do apologize for saying that, but I am trying to be honest and am not trying to be an ass. In any Medical School you end up taking more credit hours than that plus classes are at a much faster pace.

If you really are determined to be a doctor you are only doing yourself a disfavor by keeping your load light in undergrad. I understand if you want to get your footing by taking a light load, but I would not recommend making this a habit.

Yeah I don't plan on making this a habit. This is just to get the feel of things I plan on taking more credits from junior year to senior year. But for the next 2 semester I'm looking to stay in the range of 14-16

 

[BioPod]

Okay. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you.

 

[Red sea]

Okay. I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out for you.

Thanks

 

[fivescrew]

I do a lot of tutoring with incoming students and the #1 reason I see them fail bio, chem etc classes is because of the lab work required. Either they have jobs that make it hard to get where they need to be or family responsibilities to take care of at home. A few tips to make it easier on yourself is to form study groups with serious students, plan weeks ahead for any potential time issues and perhaps most importantly to give yourself a break and relax: nobody is perfect and we all slip up.

The 14 to 16 credit range is a good goal(especially if you plan on doing summer classes) but make sure you are taking the right mixture of classes to make things smoother for yourself. You don't want to end up nearing the end of your third or fourth year with a ton of required heavy science left. I've seen a few people go from 4.0 to near failing out because of improper scheduling. You are going to want to make sure to use any elective room correctly as well. The urge to fill those hours with "gimme" classes can be strong but if you instead use them for higher math\science or communications classes you'll be setting yourself up for success in any higher program you go into later.

Remember to use your advisor as much as possible, that's what they are there for and if possible ask for an advisor with a medical background because they'll know the hazards to avoid and things of that nature.

You seem to have the right attitude to turn this around before it becomes a big deal so good luck!

 

[Red sea]

I do a lot of tutoring with incoming students and the #1 reason I see them fail bio, chem etc classes is because of the lab work required. Either they have jobs that make it hard to get where they need to be or family responsibilities to take care of at home. A few tips to make it easier on yourself is to form study groups with serious students, plan weeks ahead for any potential time issues and perhaps most importantly to give yourself a break and relax: nobody is perfect and we all slip up.

The 14 to 16 credit range is a good goal(especially if you plan on doing summer classes) but make sure you are taking the right mixture of classes to make things smoother for yourself. You don't want to end up nearing the end of your third or fourth year with a ton of required heavy science left. I've seen a few people go from 4.0 to near failing out because of improper scheduling. You are going to want to make sure to use any elective room correctly as well. The urge to fill those hours with "gimme" classes can be strong but if you instead use them for higher math\science or communications classes you'll be setting yourself up for success in any higher program you go into later.

Remember to use your advisor as much as possible, that's what they are there for and if possible ask for an advisor with a medical background because they'll know the hazards to avoid and things of that nature.

You seem to have the right attitude to turn this around before it becomes a big deal so good luck!

I spoke with my advisor before school ended. Asked for her honest opinion and if I was cut out for the sciences or not. She was also my Bio teacher. She said maybe I was overwhelmed with credits and that i shouldn't have declared a music minor and i should drop it. She also said to switch from a B.A to a Bsc. Because with a BSc I would take more upper level science courses which could help bring up my GPA and she also laid out a plan with me on how I could still graduate in 4 years even though im behind about 8 credits. Its discouraging at times but ill do the best I can and see what happens from there. Ive considered a post-bacc and looked into aswell. Thanks for the advice

 

[josebiwasabi]

I am curious to know your sci gpa. Let me tell you right now that a sci GPA <2.7 = rejection from all pod schools. If you are hovering around 2.5 or so, you will need to do a postbcc to gain entry to pod school. Sorry, but this is the 99.99999% truth.

i would actually say that the "<2.7 = rejection" statement is false, provided that you have a much higher than average MCAT score. i would say that "<2.5 = rejection" is probably true though.

 

[RATM2010]

i would actually say that the "<2.7 = rejection" statement is false, provided that you have a much higher than average MCAT score. i would say that "<2.5 = rejection" is probably true though.

Josie, read the admissions min requirements from the schools websits. If you can find 1 that will admit a science GPA <2.7, let me know. Now, if you are arguing that people slip through the cracks...that I can not argue. However, I can only provide info on the facts I have to work with and the facts, based off website and phone calls to admin, state that you need a min 2.7 sci gPA to gain entry to their programs.

 

[josebiwasabi]

Josie, read the admissions min requirements from the schools websits. If you can find 1 that will admit a science GPA <2.7, let me know. Now, if you are arguing that people slip through the cracks...that I can not argue. However, I can only provide info on the facts I have to work with and the facts, based off website and phone calls to admin, state that you need a min 2.7 sci gPA to gain entry to their programs.

and i am telling you that i had a sub 2.7 sGPA and received interview offers from 8 of the 9 schools. i applied pretty late in the cycle too, at the end of february. i went to 5 interviews and was accepted to 4 programs with scholarships.

was i borderline? definitely. but my hunch is that the adcoms at the various pod schools take into account other factors than strictly your sGPA, such as MCAT and strength of undergrad.

 

[javajava]

I have recently contacted a Podiatry school I am interested in attending (in 2013) and found out that I need to retake General Chemistry I. Since it is a pre-req Barry said that I need at least a C in the pre-reqs and I got a C- (a very shameful C-). I wont go into why I got the grade rather, I am concerned with how I can reconcile this for the schools I am going to apply. I would like to take the class over at a local community college because frankly it would be the easiest thing to do over next summer. If I do not go that route, I am worried that I will not be able to fit it into my scheduling as I am enrolled for Gen Chem II this fall (I declared my major a tad bit late). I looked at the courses offered by the CC and they have "Intro to General Chem I" and "Gen Chem I with qualitative analysis." Im guessing I should take the latter? My question then is would re-taking the class at a community college be acceptable? Also, I have heard that Podiatry schools do not partake in "grade replacement." Could some one clarify that for me? Barry told me that it is "ok" for me to retake the class and I could still be interviewed if I was still taking the class over.

Never retake at a community college

why would you want your course to be questionable

we all know why you would take it there so just dont 🙂

 

[Pktgresch]

I would take it at a cc, during the summer, so I dont have to fit it in my schedule. I declared my major a bit late and started my chem sequence late. It would be easier to take it next summer without having to worry about retaking it my senior year after I applied. Yes, also I expect to get an a because it will be my only class to focus on. What's wrong with that? Barry said taking it at a cc is fine.

 

[RATM2010]

and i am telling you that i had a sub 2.7 sGPA and received interview offers from 8 of the 9 schools. i applied pretty late in the cycle too, at the end of february. i went to 5 interviews and was accepted to 4 programs with scholarships.

was i borderline? definitely. but my hunch is that the adcoms at the various pod schools take into account other factors than strictly your sGPA, such as MCAT and strength of undergrad.

Josie, do you want a cookie or something. Did I not say that people slip through the cracks. To give the OP a false security blanket that people with stats lower than the min stats advertised on their websites get in all the time is crazy. I'm happy you got in but I will not paint a picture to a already struggling student to just keep course and maintain his 2.5-2.7 GPA ways and there will be a pot of gold waiting for him. In reality, the op needs to put in a lot of work to not only get in but actually pass through the pod program and get a residency.

 

[TheFootDoc]

I would take it at a cc, during the summer, so I dont have to fit it in my schedule. I declared my major a bit late and started my chem sequence late. It would be easier to take it next summer without having to worry about retaking it my senior year after I applied. Yes, also I expect to get an a because it will be my only class to focus on. What's wrong with that? Barry said taking it at a cc is fine.

very well then. Barry it is. 🙄