Retaking a General Chemistry course

[fuuuuuuuark]

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So I already graduated and got a B.S., and now I'm planning to retake one general chemistry course that I got a "C" in. My question is, if i put it as "in progress" on my PharmCAS app, will that harm my chances for schools that do rolling admissions? Will they have to keep my app to the side and wait to see how I do in this chem class? Or will they just look at the original score I received? or will they take both into consideration?

Should I even retake the course? It will raise my GPA by .05 if I do. 😕

 

[Notecard]

Yes you should retake it.

if i put it as "in progress" on my PharmCAS app, will that harm my chances for schools that do rolling admissions?

I don't think so... that would depend mostly on how you did in your other chemistry classes and overall GPA.

If you had below a C in that class then they would be concerned. Since you passed it they won't be offering you a conditional acceptance, but an actual acceptance because the grade you get in it won't matter once they have accepted you.

 

[fuuuuuuuark]

Yes you should retake it.


I don't think so... that would depend mostly on how you did in your other chemistry classes and overall GPA.

If you had below a C in that class then they would be concerned. Since you passed it they won't be offering you a conditional acceptance, but an actual acceptance because the grade you get in it won't matter once they have accepted you.

Ok, yeah I was just wondering what the school actually sees, and what they think of it. They will see from the PharmCAS app that i didn't fail it, but I got a C. but then on the supplemental app, I'm just supposed to put the highest grade, so I'll put the grade i got when i retook it (will they think i failed it if it shows 2 of the general chem courses were from UCDavis, and 1 was from a community college?)

 

[cjflahave]

Is this your only C? Plenty of people get accepted to Pharm school with a C or two. I wouldn't waste the time and money to raise my GPA by .05.

 

[Passion4Sci]

The only, only way I'd re-take the class for a POSSIBLE 0.05 grade point increase is 2.95 ---> 3.00 and perhaps 2.45 ---> 2.50... but aside from increasing to reach those "basement" levels? Meh. Like, 3.40 --> 3.45? No way.

 

[fuuuuuuuark]

The only, only way I'd re-take the class for a POSSIBLE 0.05 grade point increase is 2.95 ---> 3.00 and perhaps 2.45 ---> 2.50... but aside from increasing to reach those "basement" levels? Meh. Like, 3.40 --> 3.45? No way.

it'll bump it from a 3.35 -> 3.40

Also, i thought it'd be important to show improvements in a chemistry course...no?

 

[30Percent]

I would do it.

 

[cjflahave]

it'll bump it from a 3.35 -> 3.40

Also, i thought it'd be important to show improvements in a chemistry course...no?

Doing well on the chemistry section of the PCAT would show your chemistry understanding. It would also save you a bit of cash.

 

[Notecard]

Doing well on the chemistry section of the PCAT would show your chemistry understanding. It would also save you a bit of cash.

Yeah actually try going with this. I always forget when I give people academic advice because where I live taking a class is like $100. If it's cheap do it but if you're tight for money then I wouldn't bother.

 

[rlau929]

You should definitely retake the course. If you receive a higher grade, it shows improvement.

 

[Passion4Sci]

it'll bump it from a 3.35 -> 3.40

Also, i thought it'd be important to show improvements in a chemistry course...no?

I wouldn't spend my time on it. There's almost certainly something else you could take with that semester, IMO. And you're going to take the PCAT - Ace the chemistry sub-section and you're golden.

 

[Indypharm]

I wouldn't spend my time on it. There's almost certainly something else you could take with that semester, IMO. And you're going to take the PCAT - Ace the chemistry sub-section and you're golden.

I wouldn't retake it if it is your only C. Especially if your other Chem grades are good. A 3.35 to a 3.4 is not that big of a jump. Save yourself hundreds of dollars. Or better yet, use the money to buy Dr. Collins and do well on the PCAT. Just make sure you are prepared to explain the C if you are asked.

 

[fuuuuuuuark]

I wouldn't retake it if it is your only C. Especially if your other Chem grades are good. A 3.35 to a 3.4 is not that big of a jump. Save yourself hundreds of dollars. Or better yet, use the money to buy Dr. Collins and do well on the PCAT. Just make sure you are prepared to explain the C if you are asked.

Hm, I actually have 4 C's on my transcript: Gen Chem (1 of 3 quarters), O. Chem (1 of 3 quarters), Genetics (1 quarter) and Cell Bio (1 quarter). I can explain the C in the Cell Bio class, but not really in the others 😱

And I am not planning on taking the PCAT, as I'm only applying to California schools, and a few out of states that don't require it either.

With that said, would you still not retake it?

 

[fuuuuuuuark]

But to be honest, I'd rather spend my time studying and becoming a certified Pharm Tech, as well as working in a Pharmacy (Both of which I am working on right now). I serrrrrriously duno what to do, but i need to find out really soon, because i need to order my transcripts from this community college, and I don't want the Pending Class to be on the transcript if i end up not taking it...you know?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Hm, I actually have 4 C's on my transcript: Gen Chem (1 of 3 quarters), O. Chem (1 of 3 quarters), Genetics (1 quarter) and Cell Bio (1 quarter). I can explain the C in the Cell Bio class, but not really in the others 😱

And I am not planning on taking the PCAT, as I'm only applying to California schools, and a few out of states that don't require it either.

With that said, would you still not retake it?

Your GPA is in the average accepted range for basically every CA school and is competitive. I'd spend your time doing something else productive, like the C.PhT license you mentioned. It's an uphill climb getting a job with it (All employers will hammer you on lack of XP) but you stand a much better shot than if you did not have it. It'll also show some degree of motivation for the study of pharmacy.

Just drop the hammer on this and don't re-take Chemistry. I was very attentive to my grades and hated the B+ grades that I have and I would not re-take a C, if the conditions I elucidated above were met (i.e., it would not raise me above a "soft floor" like 3.00).

You have C's in very challenging coursework. You're fine. Focus on getting your application in fast for the rolling admissions in CA (But not UCSF, they probably don't even have their 2012 matric. supp. up... they so sloooow!)