Retaking a few classes

[amartins02]

I am a little worried this semester. I have a 3.6 gpa and I know some of you out there must be thinking "Why is this guy worried!". Well, this semester hasn't been a great one for me at all. Just got out of bio of cells and received my last test grade. I can assure you that I will probably get a C or worse in this class. Physics also is another class I am not doing well in either. This is very akward for me since I usually get mostly A's and a few B+'s in my sciences. Anyways, will retaking these classes later make me look bad at all to dental schools? I am really bummed over my grades and worried. Also, what the heck do you say during an intrview about retaking a class? I wouldn't say it was the teacher (which for bio it is) because that makes it sound like I can't learn some of the information on my own and am blaming the teacher for my failure? Opinions?

 

[Sprgrover]

First off, I don't think that retaking the classes will be held against you. Second, if an adcom should ask, answer honestly without blaming and pointing fingers (but you already know that). My second semester of my sophmore year wasn't the greatest: I had a lot going on in school and outside as well and I was unable to seperate my scholastic pursuits from my personal identity. One thing led to another and I let my grade slip in a couple of classes. While I was interviewing last month an interviewer picked up on those couple of courses and inquired about them. The answer that I provided is pretty much what I listed above and he seemed fine with the answer as he relayed a similar experience to me. Did you take too many courses? Were you working too much outside of school? I would advise you to determine the cause(s) of the current problem and formulate an answer which demonstrates your ownership of the situation and conveys to the interviewer that you have learned from your ordeal and are now the better because of it. Finally, take a deep breath, place everything into perspective, and don't get discouraged in your pursuit of your goal.

 

[amartins02]

Well, I have taken lots of classes at once before. Normally recitation classes consist of an overview of the class for the week and we ask questions and such. At least this is my experience from freshman year. I took Bio of Cells, the lab, and recitation; Physics and the lab, Organic Chem and recitation , Organic lab and recitation; a Political science course. The bio and org recitation are different from what I expected. I have small exams every week in my org chem recitation and my bio recitation is a writing class which means I have a formal report due for that one. Also, and again not accustomed to from freshmen year, my organic and bio labs consist of formal labs every week. So two formal lab reports a week, small exam every week, 2-3 quizzes a week for org chem, online homework for physics and throw in normal exams plus short reports for bio writing lab and prep fpr the labs. Think I overstretched myself a little this semester. Theres my lesson learned. I am still doing better in most classes compared to others but, I am more worried about my Bio I guess.