Retaking a class?

[Nativity]

The Situation: I took genetics this past Fall and did not do very well. An A- was in reach in the final days, but I nuked the final (126/200) and wound up with a B-. It is killing my overall, major, and science GPAs. My question is: Does it look really bad on the transcript if you covered up your worst grade by retaking the course (my college leaves both grades on transcript, but only calculates the higher grade into your GPA)? I honestly feel like I should to retake the course in order to better understand the material, not simply to boost my GPA (though that is a pleasant side effect).

Do I retake and risk looking bad, but apply to med school with a 3.81 (GPA if I retake this summer and get an A)? Or do I take the lump and apply with a 3.69? I have only retaken one other course (Pre-Calc as a freshman and, later, as a senior), and I can easily explain it away as being necessary to jog my memory for Calc I the following semester.

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[SOcash]

My question is: Does it look really bad on the transcript if you covered up your worst grade by retaking the course (my college leaves both grades on transcript, but only calculates the higher grade into your GPA)? I honestly feel like I should to retake the course in order to better understand the material, not simply to boost my GPA (though that is a pleasant side effect).

AMCAS does not practice grade replacement regardless of how your college handles retakes, though it does average the two grades if you retake the class. Since both grades would appear on the transcript and be factored into your GPA, you wouldn't really be covering anything up. Although it's not spectacular, a B- generally does not need to be retaken. Personally, I probably would retake it only if I didn't understand the material at all and hadn't taken the MCAT yet.

 

[Nativity]

AMCAS does not practice grade replacement regardless of how your college handles retakes

Jeez, I did not not know this, but thanks for informing me. Still, an A in a 4 credit class would put me over 3.70, and that's really where I want to be.

 

[chman]

While not great, a B- is not worth retaking IMO. You are better off taking another class and doing well in it. Most people on here recommend not retaking a class >C, and I would tend to agree. Take a class that is an easy A, in a subject you enjoy.

 

[MDAG11]

Also, how are retaken classes calculated when it comes to postbacc (like an SMP for instance) programs?

Do post-bacc programs take the higher grade into calculation and erase the lower grade.... or are the grades averaged?

 

[Morsetlis]

The only way a B- can tank your GPA that badly is if you skipped a year...

 

[ArkansasRanger]

The Situation: I took genetics this past Fall and did not do very well. An A- was in reach in the final days, but I nuked the final (126/200) and wound up with a B-. It is killing my overall, major, and science GPAs. My question is: Does it look really bad on the transcript if you covered up your worst grade by retaking the course (my college leaves both grades on transcript, but only calculates the higher grade into your GPA)? I honestly feel like I should to retake the course in order to better understand the material, not simply to boost my GPA (though that is a pleasant side effect).

Do I retake and risk looking bad, but apply to med school with a 3.81 (GPA if I retake this summer and get an A)? Or do I take the lump and apply with a 3.69? I have only retaken one other course (Pre-Calc as a freshman and, later, as a senior), and I can easily explain it away as being necessary to jog my memory for Calc I the following semester.

I can't fathom one grade from A to B causing you to fall from 3.81 to 3.69. That's quite a leap. You must not have many credits under your belt. Either way, I'd be pleased to apply.

 

[DennisdaMenace]

So I guess my example is WAY more extreme but still very relevant:

I am debating between re-taking O-chem I or taking another upper div. bio class.

My cGPA is MUCH worse (3.48 from a good school)
First two years average = 3.1 (science + non-science)
Last two years average = 3.85 😀 (mostly science classes)

O-chem I: C
O-chem II: B
O-chem III: A-

I already took the MCAT (33S), so the knowledge wouldn't really help me out there, but I know that many schools weigh pre-req GPA's heavily. I have 2 other C's in my pre-req classes. I'm not really sure how adcoms view re-takes, and want to portray myself as having matured / developed into a better, more motivated student. I figure I already have an upward trend in O-chem so "replacing" the first grade with an A might not do me much good. However, most of my recent grades have been in Bio classes and I want to demonstrate my capability to handle any course.

I'm worried that adcoms might view a re-take as an attempt to get an "easy A." I have not re-taken any courses thus far and don't want to be seen as "dwelling on past mistakes."
One more consideration: re-taking a class at my institution does not affect my GPA whatsoever, though I know AMCAS averages the two grades. Some schools ask to self-report your GPA in their secondary app. and I taking a bio class instead of re-taking O-chem would allow me to report a higher GPA.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated!