Retake a C

[dptlee]

Okay so, I got a C in two chemistry courses at a 4 year. I'm trying to retake it at a CC but they said I would have to petition them. Did anyone have to go through this process? How long did it take and what were your experiences with it?

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[starrsgirl]

Have you applied as a non degree student? If so, they usually don't even ask for transcripts at the community college for Chem 1. I'm not saying lie but just don't be so upfront about that fact you are retaking it. Can you just sign up as if you are a brand new student?

 

[antochí]

I just enrolled as a new student and started taking classes.


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[Phyline]

It depends on the CC, honestly. When I was registering for statistics (as non-degree), they didn't want to enroll me because I didn't have a transcript with algebra. I showed them my college transcript (Calc II, Calc III, DiffEq, etc), and they were like BUT WHERE IS ALGEBRA. They miiiiiiiight ask for a transcript, but try "taking it for the first time".

 

[starrsgirl]

It depends on the CC, honestly. When I was registering for statistics (as non-degree), they didn't want to enroll me because I didn't have a transcript with algebra. I showed them my college transcript (Calc II, Calc III, DiffEq, etc), and they were like BUT WHERE IS ALGEBRA. They miiiiiiiight ask for a transcript, but try "taking it for the first time".

Oh my gosh, I had a similar experience! I also took the full Calc sequence I-III in college. After I applied my first year to PT school, I was rejected from some schools because my math/science GPA was too low. I was already retaking all my science classes so all that was left was more math classes purely for the grade boost. I tried to enroll in College Trig which I honestly had never taken before.....the community college informed me I had not taken Algebra so could not take the class. "Yes, but I did take and pass 3 courses of Calculus" "But you didn't have Algebra" "Well, I started in Calc in college...." "You have to test in".

So the next day, I find myself in the computer lab trying to test into College Trig.... I'm happy to report I made it into the class! And got an A in the that class. And my math/science GPA still wasn't high enough for the particular DPT program so I just went to a better and cheaper DPT school. End of story.

 

[Phyline]

Hahahahahaha, I put on my most stern face and said "I took algebra in high school, DO YOU WANT ME TO BRING YOU A HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT? NO? Okay then."
I figured it was high school algebra and not college algebra, because college algebra was an advanced class for math majors - vector spaces and stuff.

 

[Reddington7]

While on the topic of chemistry courses, I got a C+ in both Chem I and Chem II (both with labs), clearly not ideal. Although I took Organic Chemistry I and got a B, and Organic Chemistry II and got an A (both without labs), does anyone know if there has been admission/prereq situations where programs would accept the Organic Chemistry over the Gen Ed Chemistry, or would I have to take the labs in order for it to "substitute" in?

 

[redrose424]

While on the topic of chemistry courses, I got a C+ in both Chem I and Chem II (both with labs), clearly not ideal. Although I took Organic Chemistry I and got a B, and Organic Chemistry II and got an A (both without labs), does anyone know if there has been admission/prereq situations where programs would accept the Organic Chemistry over the Gen Ed Chemistry, or would I have to take the labs in order for it to "substitute" in?

Most programs will not take your organic chemistry in place of gen chem - regardless of if you take the labs.

 

[dptlee]

Have you applied as a non degree student? If so, they usually don't even ask for transcripts at the community college for Chem 1. I'm not saying lie but just don't be so upfront about that fact you are retaking it. Can you just sign up as if you are a brand new student?

I can sign up as a brand new student but I just wouldn't want to take the prereqs to take chem 1 and 2. And I think I have to take a math class too as a prereq for them :/

 

[dptlee]

Most programs will not take your organic chemistry in place of gen chem - regardless of if you take the labs.

if you look on ptcas it actually tells you what chemistry courses the program will accept. I'm applying to some schools in California and saw that some will allow organic chemistry! I can take that at the cc yay! 🙂

 

[dptlee]

the cc I was going to petition actually still has my transcript on file with the c in chem I and II. Sooooo, I guess I have no choice and will just sign up as a brand new student at a different CC nearby. do you HAVE to take a math class when you first start out at a cc as a "brand new student"

 

[redrose424]

if you look on ptcas it actually tells you what chemistry courses the program will accept. I'm applying to some schools in California and saw that some will allow organic chemistry! I can take that at the cc yay! 🙂

I would check the programs' websites as well.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

Okay so, I got a C in two chemistry courses at a 4 year. I'm trying to retake it at a CC but they said I would have to petition them. Did anyone have to go through this process? How long did it take and what were your experiences with it?

Do what starrgirl said. Enroll as a visiting student don't give them any information of what your plans are ( I did and they said I was too smart to redo general chem). Just sign up for 2 chem classes and get A's in both. I did this. Bad news is PTCAS will not replace your grades because they say the programs will do it. Other bad news is most programs most likely will not replace grades. I was in the same boat literally, there is a section on PTCAS that allows you to explain your GPA. Your primary argument should be that you have retaken chem and received A's. If you get an interview make it known in the interview too.

 

[redrose424]

Do what starrgirl said. Enroll as a visiting student don't give them any information of what your plans are ( I did and they said I was too smart to redo general chem). Just sign up for 2 chem classes and get A's in both. I did this. Bad news is PTCAS will not replace your grades because they say the programs will do it. Other bad news is most programs are too lazy to recalculate your GPAs because there are many applicants who never had to retake classes. I was in the same boat literally, there is a section on PTCAS that allows you to explain your GPA. Your primary argument should be that you have retaken chem and received A's. If you get an interview make it known in the interview too.

All schools recalculate your GPAs if they take higher of two grades or have different prereqs than what PTCAS shows. They are not "too lazy" to do so.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

deleted

 

[redrose424]

Many say they do on their websites but that does not mean they actually do. There would be no way for you to know if they did or didn't. Schools are normally slightly late with admissions due to the increased volume. Do you really think they are gonna go through someones transcript that has a 2.7 thoroughly and spot out that you had the exact same class. Granted there is a replace notification but that is not happening for 1000 applicants period. Even though I got in my number 1 school I looked over my PTCAS coursework and there were errors, this process is not perfect and it doesn't have to be because there are enough people who qualify. Here's a school that I can give you to denounce the "ALL" you wrote. I'll give you what I as told directly by stony brook word for word "Oh I'm sorry but we can't replace your C with an A because then we'd have to do it for everybody". That was at an interview right to my face as we went over my grades during the checkout. If one school does it, I'm sure other schools do as well. I will not say ALL schools do because that would be a lie for instance Rutgers did replace them.

If the school's policy is that they replace your lowest grade with your retake grade, then that's what they do. Not all schools do that, but if it says on their website that they do then they do. They will recalculate. If a school's prerequisite requirements are different than PTCAS, they recalculate. I'll repeat: they aren't "too lazy." I'm not familiar with stony brook, but it sounds to me like you didn't read their policies on retakes and then asked in the interview about retakes when they don't replace them. Hence - the answer you received. What do you mean you looked over your PTCAS coursework and there were errors? Unless you paid PTCAS to enter your transcript coursework, any errors there were your own. Yes, there are lots of applicants but I can assure you many of them do not even meet the minimum requirements - so they immediately are tossed.

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

From their site's FAQ

Can I retake a science course to improve my grade? How does retaking a science course affect the science/math GPA?
Answer: A minimum grade of C must be achieved for all prerequisite science/math courses. However, all science and math courses taken during your undergraduate education are factored into a science/math GPA. In most cases, repeating one course will not significantly improve the science/math GPA.

There is no mention that they take the highest grade for a retake, and it seems to imply that they do not. Some schools do but it seems that most average repeated grades. But even in that case a C with a repeated A averages to a B, which is still an improvement and could be enough to put someone over the hump.

also pharroh, they don't sit down and calculate numbers. When I interviewed at Temple they said that they have programs they developed that go through the number and rank the students based on a z score from certain categories. They then take the top 30 and interview them/ look deeper into them. Then the next top 30 (rolling so people have been added in this time). Congratulations on getting in to Rutgers (going to the south campus myself) doesn't matter for us anymore, but for the new student's looking for advice they should look at each program they wish to apply to and learn their policy to see if they are competitive there.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

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[redrose424]

1) Show me proof that all schools will replace the grades that say they will drexel also told me they didn't when I said my science gpa was higher than what they said was the reason I didn't get in for. 2) I'm not talking about prereqs. You appoint your own prereqs so you can simply put the highest one. I'm talking about cGPA and sGPA. (Like how starrgirl said her math/science gpa was low. In fact she described what I said in the other thread that me and you we conversing about how its hard to increase the GPA by the time you start realizing that it needs to be at a certain level.) For instance at 4 year universities when you retake a class it is replaced this is the policy for most schools this backfires for PTCAS however. So when you are struggling at most 4 year universities it is suggested that you buckle down and get at least a C. This is because then you CAN retake it if you want and it will be replaced. If you drop it then you HAVE TO take it again in order to progress in your major. My university gpa was higher than my ptcas gpa because the grades are not replaced but counted as to separate but same type of course so it affects your overall GPA and your sGPA. A school with 1000+ apps is definitely not reviewing and replacing all courses believing is not reality. That's like saying all jobs review applicants resumes evenly because they say they do or all undergrad colleges enroll based on only grades, sat, essay, and extracurricular activities when there have been many cases where rich parents have paid their kids way into elite colleges. Just examples showing that just because someone says something does not mean they do it. Also PTCAS looks reviews your coursework and matches it to your transcript they change some things neuroscience/biopyschology is a natural science they changed it to social science and I had to call them to change it back.

1) If a school says they will replace your grade with your retake they will. I do not have proof, because I am not on the admissions board at all schools. This depends on SCHOOL SPECIFIC policy. Most schools note their policy on their websites - if you go to an interview and ask whatever they say will coincide with the policy that is on their website. 2) That is not the academically honest way to behave on your application and you are giving bad advice. You don't "simply put the highest one" on PTCAS. If Chemistry I is your pre-req and you have a C and then an A you must denote BOTH of those Chemistry I and denote it as a pre-req, specifying that the course is retaken. Yes, schools take the average of your courses for cGPA and sGPA, but they will certainly take the highest, if that is their policy, for the pGPA and recalculate that (what you specifically said they were too lazy to do). 3) Of course your university GPA can be different from your PTCAS GPA, because they recalculate it, and it isn't an error it is according to PTCAS policy and how all schools who use PTCAS look at it. The fact that your university GPA is higher is irrelevant, and not a mistake on PTCAS' end. It is in no school's policy, that I know of, to replace grades for cGPA or sGPA but it mosts certainly is for pGPA - so as I said before, your statement was inaccurate that they are "too lazy" to do so.

The point is you're giving inaccurate information to prospective applicants because you were too lazy to look into specific program policies. Many programs DO take the highest grade for a prerequisite grade and recalculate the applicants pGPA (take Augusta University for example) - and telling applicants that schools actually don't do this, when in reality you have no earthly idea, could be detrimental for students who need to be looking into those types of programs in order to realize their dreams of becoming a PT.

Sources: http://www.ptcas.org/Coursework/

Please refer to the section: "Indicate if Course Fulfills a Core PT Prerequisite" and you will find that the advice you just gave to "just put the highest grade" is both wrong AND unethical.

Furthermore, in regards to Drexel their policy is stated VERY CLEARLY on PTCAS, you just didn't bother to read it: "The DPT program uses both the cumulative GPA and science GPA in making admissions decisions. If coursework was repeated, both the previously earned grade as well as the new grade will be used in the science GPA calculation. Also, please note, only core science coursework will count toward the science GPA."

Advice to prospective applicants: Thoroughly research your schools so you know their policies on GPA and how competitive you are as an applicant. That way, you can avoid silly mistakes like these and save yourself a lot of application money.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

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[apta_pharaoh]

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[redrose424]

1)You are right about drexel. I'm saying why don't pt schools do it when most 4 year universities do? Why can't they do it if many phd programs do? What is stopping them from doing it? Like you said research it but still mention that you retook the classes it helps.

2) I'm pretty sure it actually literally says to "match one course per core prerequisite".

3) The rest are included in the the respective gpa sections so your not cheating anything by following directions. Especially since they review applications so thoroughly right they would easily pick up on it.

1) I don't think it really helps to mention it if it doesn't fall into that school's policy. The most it does is show initiative. And the reason schools don't do it? Because it's a graduate school program - the fact that undergraduate programs do that is irrelevant. The fact that phd programs may do it is also irrelevant. It is a DPT program, and they are looking for a certain caliber of student.

2) I'm pretty sure this type of lazy reading is the reason why you missed these facts about Temple and Drexel and are subsequently spreading lies about programs. I hope on your journey through PT school you will learn that you can't just read information for what you're looking for and leave out relevant facts which don't suit your bias. Critical thinking will be paramount in PT school. How about you read that whole entire paragraph (or EVEN just the whole first sentence) and you will see my point. And you say PT programs are lazy? Jesus. Don't worry, I'll help you:

• Match 1 course to each core PT course prerequisite (unless quarter term or repeated course).
• If you repeated a course, match all attempts to the appropriate prerequisite.

3) First, it's you're. Second, if you're knowingly misrepresenting your GPAs and misclassifying things on PTCAS they will probably pick up on it but even so it is dishonest and personally I don't want that person as my future colleague or representing my future profession.

 

[NJ DPT HOPEFUL]

1)You are right about drexel. I'm saying why don't pt schools do it when most 4 year universities do? Why can't they do it if many phd programs do? What is stopping them from doing it? Like you said research it but still mention that you retook the classes it helps.

2) I'm pretty sure it actually literally says to "match one course per core prerequisite".

3) The rest are included in the the respective gpa sections so your not cheating anything by following directions. Especially since they review applications so thoroughly right they would easily pick up on it.

You seem to be getting off track, you previously asked for proof that they would do what they say (which obviously no one besides a faculty has) and took a very pessimistic view claiming that Universities would not do what they claim in their policies. You then gave 2 examples to Universities that acted by their policy that you just weren't aware of.

The simple thing is that with our grades, they can be run through a system, if you remember the coursework section of the PTCAS app we marked retaken classes so that would make it very easy for a computer to identify and calculate according to the university's policy.

On a site/post that is about incoming applicant's looking for advice, wouldn't it be more productive to tell them to look into policies so that they aren't blindsided about them like you were? (And in my opinion having their policy wrong and mentioning it in an interview could be looked at as you didn't research their program well enough) A rant about how you don't agree with PT schools policies after you've already gotten into one doesn't seem like the best idea here.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

You seem to be getting off track, you previously asked for proof that they would do what they say (which obviously no one besides a faculty has) and took a very pessimistic view claiming that Universities would not do what they claim in their policies. You then gave 2 examples to Universities that acted by their policy that you just weren't aware of.

The simple thing is that with our grades, they can be run through a system, if you remember the coursework section of the PTCAS app we marked retaken classes so that would make it very easy for a computer to identify and calculate according to the university's policy.

On a site/post that is about incoming applicant's looking for advice, wouldn't it be more productive to tell them to look into policies so that they aren't blindsided about them like you were? (And in my opinion having their policy wrong and mentioning it in an interview could be looked at as you didn't research their program well enough) A rant about how you don't agree with PT schools policies after you've already gotten into one doesn't seem like the best idea here.

The reason I asked for proof is because I know there is no proof so no one can say that they ALL DO not saying that I can say all don't.
I already said I take back saying lazy, though I explained that they have enough applicants so there is no need to which is why I asked later how come phd programs (which are graduate) do it( I am referring to science). In terms of advice I am one of the only ones who actually gave advice besides starrgirl. I gave real advice for dptlee exact situation here is my post in bullet points for any prospective students I'll delete the rest to avoid any confusion because the prospective students are who we are trying to help.

1) Enroll as visiting student and do not tell them your goals (prevents them from denying you the classes because they are to easy).
2) Sign up for 2 chem classes and get A's (as CC are normally easier and he/she already has been through chem before, CC also has flexible schedules, the exact college is not as important as the grade and category)
3) "Bad news is PTCAS will not replace your grades because they say the programs will do it." ( True, call and ask if you do not believe me)
4) "Other bad news is most programs are too lazy to recalculate your GPAs because there are many applicants who never had to retake classes".( I apologize for saying lazy but hey most will not and that is true, if dptlee wants to just believe anyone who says they will replace them will then dptlee can skip 5)
5)"I was in the same boat literally, there is a section on PTCAS that allows you to explain your GPA. Your primary argument should be that you have retaken chem and received A's. If you get an interview make it known in the interview too." ( 100% true explain that your grades are not a weak point, and it can't hurt)

I definitely digressed from my original post. No excuse I'm at work as an aide coming back and forth as the patient load decreases so if I make a spelling error it was an accident. That being said what I explained to do is 100% accurate for the dptlee's situation which is the actual point. There is a section in PTCAS "Does your academic record accurately reflect your capabilities?", and you have 1000 characters to explain that you took these classes over and are capable to do the work. The repeated option in coursework also helps schools realize hey this kid retook classes and got A's. You now have 2 places that are reminding admissions staff. I should just add to research better than I did lol.

 

[redrose424]

The reason I asked for proof is because I know there is no proof so no one can say that they ALL DO not saying that I can say all don't.
I already said I take back saying lazy, though I explained that they have enough applicants so there is no need to which is why I asked later how come phd programs (which are graduate) do it. This could be considered lazy as phd programs examine everything and want only the best candidates ( I am referring to science) In terms of advice I am one of the only ones who actually gave advice besides starrgirl. Redrose said "Most programs will not take your organic chemistry in place of gen chem - regardless of if you take the labs" . But that was about it and dptlees programs actually did. I gave real advice for dptlee exact situation here is my post in bullet points for any prospective students I'll delete the rest to avoid any confusion because the prospective students are who we are trying to help.

1) Enroll as visiting student and do not tell them your goals (prevents them from denying you the classes because they are to easy).
2) Sign up for 2 chem classes and get A's (as CC are normally easier and he/she already has been through chem before, CC also has flexible schedules, the exact college is not as important as the grade and category)
3) "Bad news is PTCAS will not replace your grades because they say the programs will do it." ( True, call and ask if you do not believe me)
4) "Other bad news is most programs are too lazy to recalculate your GPAs because there are many applicants who never had to retake classes".( I apologize for saying lazy but hey most will not and that is true, if dptlee wants to just believe anyone who says they will replace them will then dptlee can skip 5)
5)"I was in the same boat literally, there is a section on PTCAS that allows you to explain your GPA. Your primary argument should be that you have retaken chem and received A's. If you get an interview make it known in the interview too." ( 100% true explain that your grades are not a weak point, and it can't hurt)

I definitely digressed from my original post. No excuse I'm at work as an aide coming back and forth as the patient load decreases so if I make a spelling error it was an accident. That being said what I explained to do is 100% accurate for the dptlee's situation which is the actual point. There is a section in PTCAS "Does your academic record accurately reflect your capabilities?", and you have 1000 characters to explain that you took these classes over and are capable to do the work. The repeated option in coursework also helps schools realize hey this kid retook classes and got A's. You now have 2 places that are reminding admissions staff. I should just add to research better than I did lol.

I did offer advice - that was to check the program's websites. Clearly it's a good thing to do and also clearly a lot of people don't bother to do so. I'm glad you are at work and coming back and forth to spout information that is wrong though. For instance, a large amount of programs do not take organic chem over gen chem - but dptlee is right SOME do. As long as dptlee knows to check out program policies to make sure (clearly dptlee does), they are doing just fine.

What you said again is still wrong - PTCAS won't recalculate your GPAs but if any school's policy states that they DO take the higher of two courses, then they WILL (stop saying they won't if they say they do). THOROUGHLY read their policy so that you don't waste time/money on applying to schools where you aren't competitive.

 

[apta_pharaoh]

I did offer advice - that was to check the program's websites. Clearly it's a good thing to do and also clearly a lot of people don't bother to do so. I'm glad you are at work and coming back and forth to spout information that is wrong though. For instance, a large amount of programs do not take organic chem over gen chem - but dptlee is right SOME do. As long as dptlee knows to check out program policies to make sure (clearly dptlee does), they are doing just fine.

What you said again is still wrong - PTCAS won't recalculate your GPAs but if any school's policy states that they DO take the higher of two courses, then they WILL (stop saying they won't if they say they do). THOROUGHLY read their policy so that you don't waste time/money on applying to schools where you aren't competitive.

I did offer advice - that was to check the program's websites. Clearly it's a good thing to do and also clearly a lot of people don't bother to do so. I'm glad you are at work and coming back and forth to spout information that is wrong though. For instance, a large amount of programs do not take organic chem over gen chem - but dptlee is right SOME do. As long as dptlee knows to check out program policies to make sure (clearly dptlee does), they are doing just fine.

What you said again is still wrong - PTCAS won't recalculate your GPAs but if any school's policy states that they DO take the higher of two courses, then they WILL (stop saying they won't if they say they do). THOROUGHLY read their policy so that you don't waste time/money on applying to schools where you aren't competitive.

Agreed man I'll delete the posts that could confuse people it's always good to hear what you have to say redrose lol we've been going back and forth for a few days.