Retaking a Calc class...for personal reasons

[Zumab]

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Okay, so I took calc classes (II and III) at a local college while in high school. BIG MISTAKE! In calc III, I got something like a D. I have to report all of these via AMCAS unfortunately. I have retaken Calc II this semester and I am contemplating re-taking Calc III for two reasons
1. To show I can actually so math bc that I didn't take that CalcIII class so seriously.
2. Redeem myself (mostly for personal satisfaction)

Is it worth re-taking? Would taking it in anyway help "negate" the bad grade?
(If it's not going to make a big difference, I am not sure I would want to re-live the calc III experience...considering the time can be well spent for the MCAT, preparing apps etc)

 

[Lawpy]

Retaking is useless for AMCAS because they average your two grades. And if you really want to redeem yourself in math, take a course in linear algebra or differential equations and ace them.

 

[Zumab]

Retaking is useless for AMCAS because they average your two grades. And if you really want to redeem yourself in math, take a course in linear algebra or differential equations and ace them.

Im not even sure if I an go from Calc II to linear algebra etc but if I could would that actually benefit my application in any way? If the effect is negligible, I am not sure I want to go through the trouble...

 

[Lawpy]

Im not even sure if I an go from Calc II to linear algebra etc but if I could would that actually benefit my application in any way? If the effect is negligible, I am not sure I want to go through the trouble...

No. Adcoms really don't care what math course you take. Perhaps take stats and do well but that's pretty much it.

 

[PugsAndHugs]

At my recent interview, the assistant dean said "we don't care if you take calculus, but statistics is ESSENTIAL." It seems that statistics is becoming increasingly important for admissions, so I'm sure acing statistics and/or biostatistics would help if you are worried.

 

[Zumab]

At my recent interview, the assistant dean said "we don't care if you take calculus, but statistics is ESSENTIAL." It seems that statistics is becoming increasingly important for admissions, so I'm sure acing statistics and/or biostatistics would help if you are worried.

I have taken a Psych research statistics class. Does that class?
If not, what about epidemiology (90% statistics analysis in public health)..?

Thank you!! 🙂🙂

 

[PugsAndHugs]

I have taken a Psych research statistics class. Does that class?
If not, what about epidemiology (90% statistics analysis in public health)..?

Thank you!! 🙂🙂

I think any statistics, starting with intro, is great to have to show you are mathematically competent. And one bad grade won't keep yout out, so do not worry about that.

 

[moisne]

No don't retake it. Just move on with life. As stated above, take stats if you want - but honestly you probably won't remember it 3 years later.

I took stats 2-3 times in my life, bio stats is easier, but I still had to relearn it, and I could've learned it just fine without taking stats in college.

If you are a science major - just go do well in your core classes

 

[SnowyMoon]

I have taken a Psych research statistics class. Does that class?
If not, what about epidemiology (90% statistics analysis in public health)..?

Thank you!! 🙂🙂

The med school near me said that my stats class "Stats for Behavioral/Natural Sciences" would fulfill most stats requirements. I was told as long as it went over the basic statistical analysis tests and I did well in it, it should be fine.

For the entire topic of the thread... I personally have this overwhelming urge to retake any C I may have gotten in any course. I imagine a D would be no different, if not worse. If you really want to spend your time doing it again, you have the resources to do it, and it doesn't interfere with any prereqs or important science classes, it's totally up to you. I wouldn't purely because calc 3, but hey, your call.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Since you were in high school and at the very beginning of your academic career, I doubt it would be factored in very heavily. However, a D is a big hit to your cGPA and sGPA and I understand the desire to improve on it. For MD admissions, two grades for the same class are averaged. So a D averaged with an A would equal somewhere between a C and a B (1 + 4 / 2 = 2.5) which is a small change. If your GPA is borderline 3.4/3.5/3.6 it may be worthwhile to retake it to get that bump. If your GPA is above a 3.6, I think you would be ok.

Okay, so I took calc classes (II and III) at a local college while in high school. BIG MISTAKE! In calc III, I got something like a D. I have to report all of these via AMCAS unfortunately. I have retaken Calc II this semester and I am contemplating re-taking Calc III for two reasons
1. To show I can actually so math bc that I didn't take that CalcIII class so seriously.
2. Redeem myself (mostly for personal satisfaction)

Is it worth re-taking? Would taking it in anyway help "negate" the bad grade?
(If it's not going to make a big difference, I am not sure I would want to re-live the calc III experience...considering the time can be well spent for the MCAT, preparing apps etc)

 

[Zumab]

Since you were in high school and at the very beginning of your academic career, I doubt it would be factored in very heavily. However, a D is a big hit to your cGPA and sGPA and I understand the desire to improve on it. For MD admissions, two grades for the same class are averaged. So a D averaged with an A would equal somewhere between a C and a B (1 + 4 / 2 = 2.5) which is a small change. If your GPA is borderline 3.4/3.5/3.6 it may be worthwhile to retake it to get that bump. If your GPA is above a 3.6, I think you would be ok.

Not counting the D, my s/gpa is around 3.8, cGpa is 3.9.... Sure i guess retaking it would help but if the effect is negligible, im not sure about doing it::

 

[bwc]

AMCAS factors in all attempts into your AMCAS GPA, thus if you got an A in one attempt, you don't get a 4.0 for that class. If you got at least a C, I don't think it is worth your time trying to repeat the class. Just move on and you can show competency by doing better in a subsequent course.

 

[GreenDuck12]

Without the D is irrelevant as it will need to be reported. What is your s/cgpa with the D? The effect will be small but I would consider it if your GPA is in the low range for MD.

Not counting the D, my s/gpa is around 3.8, cGpa is 3.9.... Sure i guess retaking it would help but if the effect is negligible, im not sure about doing it::

 

[Zumab]

Without the D is irrelevant as it will need to be reported. What is your s/cgpa with the D? The effect will be small but I would consider it if your GPA is in the low range for MD.

With everything factored in, sGPA is 3.8 and cGPA 3.8....
Without the D, it would have been a 3.9/3.9... OH WELL 🙁

 

[GreenDuck12]

I wouldn't worry about a retake. Focus your energies on your current coursework and improving other aspects of your app.