Retaking classes

[kelleyc]

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I just finished my sophomore year and made a c in ochem1 and b in ochem2 and a c in biochem (although I think it's a fluke since most of the class got grades lower than they expected). I still have a bunch of science courses coming up to improve my gpa as I am a chem major but I have been reading in other posts that dental schools look closely at ochem and biochem and so now I wonder if it would be more worthwhile to retake those courses before I apply rather than taking more science courses.

the bad thing is that when you retake a course at my school they average the original and new score so even if I get an A it'll only be worth a B. so what do you think is better, a higher gpa or better grades in those courses?

should i retake them or not?

 

[airvent]

Is the Biochem a 1 or 2 semester course? I would not retake these classes if you feel you understand the material, but just tested poorly. You have 2 more years to get A's.

You can take an advanced Biochem course instead of retaking the same one. But you will need to work a little harder if you want those A's.

No more x-box for you!!!

 

[kelleyc]

It was a 1 semester course. That was exactly how I felt, not that I didn't understand the material, just that I had a teacher that didn't put any time into the course.

 

[drengineer]

I'm not a big fan of retaking courses to raise AADSAS GPA. Don't retake a course unless you are sure you will score an A this time, otherwise anything less than an A or an A- will do very little good to your gpa since AADSAS will definitely count your first attempt as well.

 

[fishindr]

the bad thing is that when you retake a course at my school they average the original and new score so even if I get an A it'll only be worth a B. so what do you think is better, a higher gpa or better grades in those courses?

should i retake them or not?

That's how AADSAS is going to calculate your GPA as well. They take ALL your scores you've ever received and calculate an AADSAS GPA.

When I was reapplying, I had the option to retake courses which I scored low in OR take some ridiculously hard courses to make up for it. The dean of my state school said it was better for me to take a more difficult course and get an "A" in it (since it will affect you AADSAS GPA the same anyway), rather than retake past courses. I took Neurophysiology, Biomedical Ethics, stuff like that. Nothing under 400 level science courses. Then again, I was a Post Bacc. student and you still have 2 years to recover from those low scores. Personally, I would not retake them, but rather bury them under 2 years of solid "A's" in every class (assuming a C is a satisfactory grade, from the schools standpoint....if it's a C-, you better retake to be sure). Your GPA will increase and when the board meets to talk about you they'll be like, "This kid's got straight A's his junior and senior year in some really difficult courses. I'm sure he'll be able to handle our curriculm." 👍 I'll bet they don't even look at your sophomore Ochem if you finish up extremely strong. Just my .02, take it for what it's worth.

 

[kelleyc]

Thanks alot. I just didn't think they'd really see my senior year courses since I'm planning to apply at the end of my junior year. don't they offer you acceptance before you finish?