Retaking Classes

[rivers]

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Can anyone help me with these two questions?

1. Do schools prefer you retake classes you did poorly in? (i.e. <2.5)
2. I'm planning on applying the spring of the year I graduate, meaning I will have a year off from school. Will schools care what I do during that year or does it not matter?

Thanks!

 

[angstrom55]

1. If they are pre-req classes, I would make sure that the grades are the minimum grades that you need (my school requires you get at least a C in all pre-req, so I had to retake my biochem course). If they are "whatever" courses that really don't say anything about medicine (like photography or something) and your gpa is healthy already, then I would worry too much (my friend didn't drop a photo course properly and got an F, still had a good gpa, and still got into a med school). But if those low grade courses are affecting your gpa a lot, then definately retake!

2. I think schools do pay attention somewhat to what you do in your year off. They'll ask you in the secondaries and in the interviews (they did to me). I ended up going to community college and taking fun classes (digital design and stuff) during my year off. Also did some shadowing and continued with research. I think so long as you aren't just waking up and doing absolutely NOTHING, you should be okay. Finding a job is good.