Retaking a class vs an easy A

[Jambino]

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Hi everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma right now. It turns out that I completely overlooked biology lab, so I have to take it during the Fall. However, it seems that I will have a full schedule and therefore cannot add anymore classes due to university rules.

As a result, I have to pick between two classes right now, one I have to drop and the other to keep. I'm thinking of retaking OChem I (made a C first time around) vs. taking a biology class that's considered an "easy A" (although this doesn't mean I'm going to slack, I will definitely take it seriously). This A would help boost my GPA which already isn't the best. However, I'm not sure how much retaking OChem I would help me (perhaps someone here might have an idea on that). This Biology class would also boost my sGPA.

Any advice?

 

[dirty630]

I would probably take the easy A class. AMCAS only averages the grades of a retake so if you got an A in Ochem your second time it would only count as a B on your GPA. But that will only happen if you get an A and Ochem is not easy and an A is not guaranteed. C's aren't a death sentence and an easy A is always a good class to take.

 

[Jambino]

I would probably take the easy A class. AMCAS only averages the grades of a retake so if you got an A in Ochem your second time it would only count as a B on your GPA. But that will only happen if you get an A and Ochem is not easy and an A is not guaranteed. C's aren't a death sentence and an easy A is always a good class to take.

Thank you for your reply dirty630! Your suggestion was what I was thinking of as well. However, I've completely fallen in love with Organic Chemistry after taking second semester. I completely slacked off the first time around and wished I hadn't done that. Live and learn I guess.

Any more suggestions?

 

[ForHumors]

I agree with dirty630; better to further your horizons and take something new, adding to your knowledge base, than retaking an old class. Plus, it looks a bit odd to take Orgo 1 after having taken Orgo 2, given that they build on each other. If you did well in orgo 2 you should be fine without retaking 1.

 

[NewYorker9]

If you're looking at this from a GPA standpoint, this is how I see it:

previous O Chem (C) + new O Chem (A) = B average
previous O Chem (C) + easy Bio (A) = B average

I know there's no guarantee you'll get an A the second time around in organic. But maybe taking the course a second time will boost your GPA and help solidify the material for the MCAT? Just a thought.

Also, I don't know how critically medical schools look at organic grades (every pre-med emphasizes the class, but perhaps different medical schools give these courses different weight). Having a C could stand out in a poor way to some medical schools, whereas a B would not be as significant. Again, I don't actually know how important this is to medical schools.

 

[Bernoulli]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma right now. It turns out that I completely overlooked biology lab, so I have to take it during the Fall. However, it seems that I will have a full schedule and therefore cannot add anymore classes due to university rules.

As a result, I have to pick between two classes right now, one I have to drop and the other to keep. I'm thinking of retaking OChem I (made a C first time around) vs. taking a biology class that's considered an "easy A" (although this doesn't mean I'm going to slack, I will definitely take it seriously). This A would help boost my GPA which already isn't the best. However, I'm not sure how much retaking OChem I would help me (perhaps someone here might have an idea on that). This Biology class would also boost my sGPA.

Any advice?

Check to make sure your university will average the two grades if you retake O-Chem. My university has a policy that the grades are only averaged if you made less than a C- the first time. If you got a C- or above, the retake grade is counted as duplicate credit and no GPA points are awarded. This would only help you if you plan to apply to DO schools with grade replacement or want to average a B in O-Chem I on AMCAS. As long as your other prerequisites are good, I would advise against retaking O-Chem. One C isn't going to kill you.

 

[NewYorker9]

Check to make sure your university will average the two grades if you retake O-Chem. My university has a policy that the grades are only averaged if you made less than a C- the first time. If you got a C- or above, the retake grade is counted as duplicate credit and no GPA points are awarded. This would only help you if you plan to apply to DO schools with grade replacement or want to average a B in O-Chem I on AMCAS. As long as your other prerequisites are good, I would advise against retaking O-Chem. One C isn't going to kill you.

I think the issue in this instance is how AMCAS calculates the grades, not the university

 

[occams_razor]

take the easy A