Retaking Classes to Boost GPA

[jonbajulce]

Hey everyone. What is the deal with retaking classes to boost your GPA? Does taking the class the 2nd time cover up the first grade or are they averaged? Is it a good idea to retake low grade science classes?

For some background info, I am a Junior on the edge of being considered for dental schools because of how low my GPA is. I have a 3.1 GPA and a ~2.9 sGPA. I will be taking the DATs this summer. I have done research here and there as well as shadowing and volunteering.

Thanks guys

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[Sonny881994]

They take the new grade if you decide to retake the class but they'll still put your old grade in the transcript anyway so in a sense you can't cover up your horrible first grade anyway. However, it'll pump up your overall gpa and let adcom know that you can perform well in class if you put some effort in. Btw, that's a really low GPA better start retaking classes now or else you will have to be in post-bac

 

[Simiam]

You have to retake your science class and get straight A's. As you sit now you likely have no chance of getting in to D School. Retake the prereqs or take multiple upper level science courses and get As. All of your grades will get averaged into your GPA even if they are retakes. IE if you take EVERY Science course over again you will average out to a 3.5ish. ((4.0 + 2.9)/2) good luck. get a DAT Score 😉

 

[jonbajulce]

is it better to take different science courses and get A's in them or is it better to retake old classes that you got C's in?

 

[Sonny881994]

Both, with that kind of GPA anything will help but i would retake classes first. It is a better and faster way to make you look better as an applicant

 

[doc toothache]

Unless you feel ill prepared for the courses in question, there is not much point in rehashing the same material.

 

[Sisero68]

is it better to take different science courses and get A's in them or is it better to retake old classes that you got C's in?

The rule of thumb passed around SDN:
Any class lower then a C you should retake. (C- and lower)
Any class equal to or higher then a C take an upper level in that subject to increase your GPA. (C, C+, B- etc.)

AADSAS will include all grades in their reports, not just the most recent class.

*edit - the only reason to retake anything C- or lower is because many schools require a C or higher in all prerequisite course.

 

[GoBlue24]

As far as I know, I believe the policy of retaking classes and grade calculations depends on the school you go to. (Then again, I feel like AADSAS has their own policy/system for retaken classes.)

From what I heard at my school, if you retook a class.. it would average out with the bad grade from that same class. For example, if you got a C- (1.66) in a 4 credit science class and retook the same class and got a B+ (3.33), your overall grade for that class would average out to C+ (2.495). This means that the C- is still screwing you over. It sucks that they do that at our school (and the curves/grading is strict as heck and the students are hella competitive here) but it is what it is.

Essentially, it's better to take a upper-level science class and do well rather than retake a class unless you failed and are REQUIRED to retake the class. Adcoms want to see that you've matured and learned from your mistakes by doing well in upper-level classes. There's no point in taking classes you do poorly on, especially if they are pre-req's. For example, adcoms won't be impressed that you got an A in gen bio after getting a C because 1) they would prefer that you spend that all time re-studying for gen bio on another beneficial science course such as endocrinology, molecular biology, etc. and 2) they know an A in gen bio proves little if you've taken other upper level biology classes that should have extensively enhanced your knowledge in biology anyways.

 

[doc toothache]

As far as I know, I believe the policy of retaking classes and grade calculations depends on the school you go to. (Then again, I feel like AADSAS has their own policy/system for retaken classes.)

Neither AADSAS nor ADEA are policy making bodies.

 

[sacapuntas]

Both, with that kind of GPA anything will help but i would retake classes first. It is a better and faster way to make you look better as an applicant

This is not good advice. Sonny, you need to stop spreading so much advice on the boards that hundreds of people will read until you know more about the process.

It would be far better to do well in new science courses. If you re-take Gen Bio 2, they would only expect you to get an A since it is the second time you will see the material. It would be far more impressive to take Histology and get an A or any other upper level bio that you haven't already taken. It is not any faster to retake your classes as getting an A in a new class will have the same effect as getting an A in a class you re-took.

 

[GoBlue24]

Neither AADSAS nor ADEA are policy making bodies.

Gotcha, thanks for clearing that up doc.

 

[jhz21]

What if it is a course that is not a pre-req for your major? Do you recommend retaking them?
I'm a bio major with a huge upward trend having a 3.3 overall with 2F's (they are not math/science).