Repeating courses for higher GPA

[Gimlipig]

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Hi, I am a senior pre-vet student. I have two majors (B.S. in biomedical science, B.A. in Chemistry) that I will be done with in two years.

So far in my college career I have had to deal with multiple family related hardships that have affected my grades. I have a lot of A's, but I also have a few C's and one D.

I want to go back and retake some classes to raise my GPA, but I am just wondering how much is too much to retake? If you have say four or five repeated classes on your transcripts do veterinary schools look down on that or is it a sign of perseverance?

 

[mom2jnc]

I can't answer your question yet, but I'm in the same situation. I've applied to three schools with an overall GPA of 3.5 but this includes C's in O-Chem. However, that year, I was caring for my grandmother, running a newspaper route, and became pregnant that fall. I had mostly A's prior to and since this year and I've explained my grades on my application, so I'll let you know if I get interviews this year or not.

I did ask this same question to Patty Finger (fabulous admissions lady at Tufts) and her reply was to try and apply anyway. If I'm turned down, Tufts will review my app and let me know what I could improve upon. If it turns out to be my grades, then I'll retake the courses.

Hope this helps & good luck!

 

[LuckyJo]

When I talked to the dean about what I can do to improve my application. I was told to re-take C's in my pre-req courses, try to improve them to A's. I applied to Kansas and they take your highest grade, although some schools average the grades. Most schools will not take a 'D' in any of the pre-reqs. Ask the schools you are interested in how they handle courses that have been retaken. Be sure that you can explain why you received 'X' grade in a particular class, and how you learned from the experience. For instance, do you study better now, budget your time, etc.

If you want more information, feel free to pm me!

 

[Apollo84]

When I spoke with the dean at CO about improving GPA she said it was better to take new upper-division science courses rather than retake something you got a C in. But then, my situation is a bit different- since I graduated a few years ago, it's not like I am repeating something in the next quarter. If I were in school at the time, I would definitely want to retake that O-Chem grade right away, just to show that getting a C was a fluke. So maybe she was just saying to me in particular, don't bother retaking old courses. I do think this issue is individual to the school.

 

[mom2jnc]

If I were in school at the time, I would definitely want to retake that O-Chem grade right away, just to show that getting a C was a fluke.

Re-taking O-Chem is definitely happening next year if I don't get in this year. But I'm hoping that my explanation, high GRE scores, great experience & letters of rec as well as receiving A's in Physics, Biochem, Stats, Genetics, etc might at least make me appealing enough to invite for an interview.

**crossing fingers**

 

[puppylovedog]

my advisor said that it depends on the school. some schools don't even get the repeats, they just see the higher scores. but i don't think anyone would really frown upon taken classes over.....i hope not cuz i'm doing it😎

 

[TurboVet]

Hey guys,
Repeating a course may or may not help you. I've applied 4x, and orgo has been my nemesis every year except the last. I had 2 Ds a W, and then finally an A. Depending on the schools you apply to, all of those repeats may or may not be included in your cumulative and science GPAs. If they are, like for Illinois, they are all averaged in- the A doesn't cancel out one D or all of them. I personally asked Illinois admissions, and they told me in my app review to not bother taking the same class over again unless you got below a C. Instead, take additional classes that will add depth to your app and do well in all of them. It seemed to work cause I got an interview this time. Good luck.

 

[puppylovedog]

😎

Hey guys,
Repeating a course may or may not help you. I've applied 4x, and orgo has been my nemesis every year except the last. I had 2 Ds a W, and then finally an A. Depending on the schools you apply to, all of those repeats may or may not be included in your cumulative and science GPAs. If they are, like for Illinois, they are all averaged in- the A doesn't cancel out one D or all of them. I personally asked Illinois admissions, and they told me in my app review to not bother taking the same class over again unless you got below a C. Instead, take additional classes that will add depth to your app and do well in all of them. It seemed to work cause I got an interview this time. Good luck.

Did that take you extra years? if you don't mind me asking?😳

 

[are_jay]

Also, take a look at the other current thread, called "retaking classes and univerisity vs. community college" or something like that. There is some more discussion on the retaking class thing over there.