Replace Grades? Really?

[UnderMyDesk]

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Is it true that DO schools replace grades? Do most of them do this?

My science GPA is 3.4 and my overall GPA is 3.35. Those GPA's are calculated WITHOUT replacing grades. However, I failed biology twice and calculus 2 TWICE each before getting an A in both. If you're wondering how my science GPA is above a 3 having 4 failed classes in there, it's because I got A's in the rest of my science and math classes.

So, if this is a case, is it true that DO schools will only count the A's I got the third time I took both Calculus 2 and biology? Will having failed both of those classes twice, not just once, make a huge difference?

One thing I'm paranoid about is this. If most DO schools allow for grade replacement, are they likely to have gotten rid of grade replacement four years from now? How long has the grade replacement policy been around?

 

[MedPR]

Is it true that DO schools replace grades? Do most of them do this?

My science GPA is 3.4 and my overall GPA is 3.35. Those GPA's are calculated WITHOUT replacing grades. However, I failed biology twice and calculus 2 TWICE each before getting an A in both. If you're wondering how my science GPA is above a 3 having 4 failed classes in there, it's because I got A's in the rest of my science and math classes.

So, if this is a case, is it true that DO schools will only count the A's I got the third time I took both Calculus 2 and biology? Will having failed both of those classes twice, not just once, make a huge difference?

One thing I'm paranoid about is this. If most DO schools allow for grade replacement, are they likely to have gotten rid of grade replacement four years from now? How long has the grade replacement policy been around?

Let me clarify this.

Yes, AACOMAS will use only your most recent grade in the GPA calculation. Schools use your AACOMAS GPA when reviewing your application. However, schools will still see all of your grades and will know that you failed twice.

 

[psychgirrrl]

What kind of impact do you guys think failing a class a couple times then getting an A the third time has on your app?

 

[TriagePreMed]

This is true. ALL Osteopathic schools except for University of North Texas participate in grade replacement. There are some caveats to keep in mind:

1. AACOM reps have given contradicting information on the ability to retake sequences in one system vs. another (meaning originally in say quarter and then in semester system). To be safe do semester to semester or quarter to quarter.
2. While the title doesn't need to be the same, content must be near identical.
3. You must retake the same amount or greater units than you did before.
4. The newest score counts, so if you retake a C and get a B+ then retake again and get a flat B, you will end up with the flat B.
5. The course doesn't need to be retaken at the same college, but you must adhere to replacing lower division with lower division and upper division with upper division.
6. You may not retake to Pass/No Pass.

 

[discowisco]

what about taking a class getting a C+ in and then retaking but dropping and getting a W due to change of schedule?

 

[TriagePreMed]

what about taking a class getting a C+ in and then retaking but dropping and getting a W due to change of schedule?

No replacement as the course was never completed.

 

[discowisco]

I completed it and got a C+ then I retook it (wanting to get an A) but decided not to in the middle of the semester and took a W thus what grade would it show? C+ or W since W was the last grade but is it really a grade? lol

 

[MedPR]

I completed it and got a C+ then I retook it (wanting to get an A) but decided not to in the middle of the semester and took a W thus what grade would it show? C+ or W since W was the last grade but is it really a grade? lol

Both will be shown. C+ will be used in GPA calculation.

 

[group_theory]

Is it true that DO schools replace grades? Do most of them do this?

My science GPA is 3.4 and my overall GPA is 3.35. Those GPA's are calculated WITHOUT replacing grades. However, I failed biology twice and calculus 2 TWICE each before getting an A in both. If you're wondering how my science GPA is above a 3 having 4 failed classes in there, it's because I got A's in the rest of my science and math classes.

So, if this is a case, is it true that DO schools will only count the A's I got the third time I took both Calculus 2 and biology? Will having failed both of those classes twice, not just once, make a huge difference?

One thing I'm paranoid about is this. If most DO schools allow for grade replacement, are they likely to have gotten rid of grade replacement four years from now? How long has the grade replacement policy been around?

AACOMAS will use your new grade to replace the old ones for gpa calculation purposes (amcas just averages them) but the schools will have your transcripts and see you have failed a couple courses a couple times. Failing a repeat class twice is a red flag. Failing a couple courses twice is a huge red flag that can easily sink your application. It will need a good explanation.

So while your overall gpa might look good after the replacement policy, the schools will still see your multiple failures and it will raise a few eyebrows.

 

[coolingglasses]

This is true. ALL Osteopathic schools except for University of North Texas participate in grade replacement. There are some caveats to keep in mind:

1. AACOM reps have given contradicting information on the ability to retake sequences in one system vs. another (meaning originally in say quarter and then in semester system). To be safe do semester to semester or quarter to quarter.
2. While the title doesn't need to be the same, content must be near identical.
3. You must retake the same amount or greater units than you did before.
4. The newest score counts, so if you retake a C and get a B+ then retake again and get a flat B, you will end up with the flat B.
5. The course doesn't need to be retaken at the same college, but you must adhere to replacing lower division with lower division and upper division with upper division.
6. You may not retake to Pass/No Pass.

Looks like I might get a nasty surprise upon verification...

I failed a Pre-Calc class back in Summer '05 in the quarter system and then aced College Algebra in the semester system two semesters later. The F was at a CC, the A was at a 4-year. Basically, I went home for the summer and planned to knock out the math class early while I was there. My 4-year was prepared to transfer it to satisfy my math requirements. But it was a self-study course and I wasn't mature enough to keep up on my own so I wound up blowing it off and not reporting it.

Which was fine, until I suddenly remembered it when doing my primaries lol. I'm pretty sure the content is the same, but I'm replacing quarter with semester and thus, replacing 3.3 credit hours (converted from 5 quarter hours) with 3.0.

 

[coolingglasses]

And yes, just to reiterate, ALL of your grades are in plain sight of AdComs. The grade replacement just gives you some benefit on your GPA calculation.

 

[DrWily]

I failed Multivariable Calculus like 4 times within 1st and 2nd year of undergrad before I got a B in it my 3rd year.

Yea I don't know what I was thinking. But it never came up during my interview (probably because AZCOM Interviewees don't have your stats). However, the ADCOMs let me through so I guess I'm lucky

 

[psychgirrrl]

I failed Multivariable Calculus like 4 times within 1st and 2nd year of undergrad before I got a B in it my 3rd year.

Yea I don't know what I was thinking. But it never came up during my interview (probably because AZCOM Interviewees don't have your stats). However, the ADCOMs let me through so I guess I'm lucky

Don't you think flunking something like chemistry, bio or physics would be a lot worse than failing a math course (a super advanced one in your case)?

 

[DrWily]

Don't you think flunking something like chemistry, bio or physics would be a lot worse than failing a math course (a super advanced one in your case)?

Probably, but it still doesn't look good failing it 4 times It's also not that advanced. Only one step above regular calculus.

 

[psychgirrrl]

Probably, but it still doesn't look good failing it 4 times It's also not that advanced. Only one step above regular calculus.

Probably...but hey you got in! At my school the pre-med advisor kinda refuses to see you if you've failed a pre-req class more than 2x. They kindly tell you to look for something else to do with your life. LOL Glad I never got that talk, I probably would have went ape **** on somebody.

Hey it's advanced to me. I stopped at pre-calc and kissed math good-bye forever.

 

[Goro]

If it's just that one class, it won't hurt. However, an overall weak performance (ie, with of Cs > Bs and As) will hurt you.

AACOMAS has the rgade replacement policy because it realizes that not all of the 4.0 automatons out there will make good doctors; that not everyone is ready for college at age 18 and people do grow and improve intellectually.

What kind of impact do you guys think failing a class a couple times then getting an A the third time has on your app?

 

[molarseeker]

i dont get how you guys are retaking a C+. Your schools allow this? At UCLA they only allow us to retake C- and below...

 

[Mbeas]

i dont get how you guys are retaking a C+. Your schools allow this? At UCLA they only allow us to retake C- and below...

You can retake classes anywhere...doesn't have to be at your undergrad

 

[molarseeker]

So if I go to UCLA right now Abd took all my o chem classes, but then retook o Chem Sdsu or a community college it would count?

 

[DrWily]

So if I go to UCLA right now Abd took all my o chem classes, but then retook o Chem Sdsu or a community college it would count?

There is this thing called 'le interwebs' that has all this information.

But yes, generally you can do it at a community/state college AS LONG AS the "new" replacement class is similar in description to the old one, and has equal or more semester units.

 

[molarseeker]

Does it look bad to take it at a cc though

 

[DrWily]

Does it look bad to take it at a cc though

It's fine as long as you don't retake like 20 classes at a CC. A few is fine.

Having a C+ looks worse.

 

[molarseeker]

Okay, one more question. Since I am going to be applying at the end of this year, if I applied, then retool the class during summer school and sent in my grades, would that work?

 

[MedPR]

Okay, one more question. Since I am going to be applying at the end of this year, if I applied, then retool the class during summer school and sent in my grades, would that work?

At the end of this year meaning what? December 2012? No it won't help because by the time your grades come in the cycle will be over.

 

[molarseeker]

No, I said during summer school. I graduate in June so I would take the class that summer

 

[MedPR]

No, I said during summer school. I graduate in June so I would take the class that summer

You said "at the end of this year" and didn't indicate if you meant school year or calendar year. You also didn't indicate which cycle you are planning to apply in, this one or the next.

If you want to apply THIS cycle, summer 2013 grades will not help you. If you want to apply next cycle, summer 2013 grades will help you.

 

[molarseeker]

Yes sorry. I am applying next cycle. I am also graduating at the end of this school year, so I would retake the class in a year from now. Summer 2013

 

[HipChick]

i dont get how you guys are retaking a C+. Your schools allow this? At UCLA they only allow us to retake C- and below...

I really don't get why a school would limit your ability to retake a course...

 

[MedPR]

Yes sorry. I am applying next cycle. I am also graduating at the end of this school year, so I would retake the class in a year from now. Summer 2013

Yea then summer grades will help. Submit your app early and update schools with grades later.

I really don't get why a school would limit your ability to retake a course...

Get kids out because the schools are overcrowded.. At least that's what other UC students have said on other threads.

 

[HipChick]

Get kids out because the schools are overcrowded.. At least that's what other UC students have said on other threads.

But then they raise the tuition anyway? My uni didnt have this issue. I retook a C and a B no issues. Maybe thats why I find it odd...

 

[MedPR]

But then they raise the tuition anyway? My uni didnt have this issue. I retook a C and a B no issues. Maybe thats why I find it odd...

Were you at a UC school?

 

[HipChick]

Were you at a UC school?

Uc= California? No, but I've heard of others speak of this also.

 

[AliceNWndrlnd]

OP, I would be more concerned about your ability to handle the coursework after failing bio twice instead of whether or not you can get accepted.

 

[hv92]

AACOMAS does everything in semester units. Bust out a calculator. 👍 You can replace a quarter system class as long as the retake is equal to or greater than the converted quarter-to-semester unit amount.

 

[IrishMK]

Quick question regarding the grade replacement:

I took a Bio course that was 4 (counting lab) credits and retook a similar Bio course WITHOUT the lab, since I'd taken the lab previously. I took the later/second course for 3 credits. Would this not be replaced, then, since the later credits are less than the original? Thanks.

 

[GUH]

Quick question regarding the grade replacement:

I took a Bio course that was 4 (counting lab) credits and retook a similar Bio course WITHOUT the lab, since I'd taken the lab previously. I took the later/second course for 3 credits. Would this not be replaced, then, since the later credits are less than the original? Thanks.

I would guess no but you should call AACOMAS and get an official opinion.

 

[maybemed2013]

Quick question regarding the grade replacement:

I took a Bio course that was 4 (counting lab) credits and retook a similar Bio course WITHOUT the lab, since I'd taken the lab previously. I took the later/second course for 3 credits. Would this not be replaced, then, since the later credits are less than the original? Thanks.

When you first took Bio for 4 credits were the course and lab grade separated???
If so I think will will replace your old course grade with your new course grade.
If it was just one grade for both the course and lab, I do not think they will replace the grade, you will have to take the lab over.

 

[IrishMK]

The original course was a 4 credit course with the lecture and lab combined (so, a 4 credit lecture and 0 credit lab). The one I recently took was just a 3 credit lecture. So, I'll probably have to retake the bio course again, unfortunately. It just means I'll be incredibly well versed in that biology course, haha. I'm calling to make sure, though. Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[coolingglasses]

Turns out I did get that nasty surprise at verification lol

 

[pre med 2014]

What kind of impact do you guys think failing a class a couple times then getting an A the third time has on your app?

I don't think it's a bad thing. It's a positive really it shows you can tackle something you at first were completely horrible at

 

[MedPR]

Quick question regarding the grade replacement:

I took a Bio course that was 4 (counting lab) credits and retook a similar Bio course WITHOUT the lab, since I'd taken the lab previously. I took the later/second course for 3 credits. Would this not be replaced, then, since the later credits are less than the original? Thanks.

Yea it won't count for grade replacement.

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