Retaking courses at a CC or University

[vivianxn]

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Hi all,
So my gpa is probably the weakest part of my application and after emailing some schools (considering which schools take retakes), I was wondering if where I retook science courses was a factor. I understand they won't weigh community college and university grades the same way, but is it worth the extra thousands of dollars to take it at a university versus a cc? Also, if I just need to retake some science courses, is it worth taking a post bacc? Thanks ahead of your time for your responses

 

[Twentytwelve2]

I would take them at a CC. Why waste thousands of dollars?

 

[Sugoi Travis]

In terms of doing a post-bacc, you have to compare your completed credit hours with the credit hours you plan to complete in a post-bacc. Take me for example; if I plan to do a post-bacc with nearly 200 credit hours (my uni is on quarter system), I'd have to take a lot of classes in my post-bacc in order to even make my undergrad GPA budge.

Is it worth spending money to raise your GPA a little bit? Definitely, but how you raise your GPA, via retaking the classes you did poorly in vs doing a post-bacc, should be considered.

Personally, I would retake the classes I did poorly in.

 

[vivianxn]

Yeah, I'm on the quarter system too, so I think retaking classes would be more beneficial, but I guess I'm trying to decide if I should take cc or university classes

 

[jerbearox]

Yeah, I'm on the quarter system too, so I think retaking classes would be more beneficial, but I guess I'm trying to decide if I should take cc or university classes

i came from a quarter system and i did my postbacc work at a CC. Its cheap and easier in the sense of getting classes and their actual difficulty. If you are over the age of 24 and from california, you qualify for the BOG waiver which means you goto school for practically FREE! you only have to pay for misc. student fees (~$45). Allows you to pack on as many classes as possible. Not to mention the 1.5 conversion factor helps tremendously. Raised my gpa +0.6 with 2 years worth of material crammed into one.

However, you may also want to look at the classes you want to retake. If they are upper div classes such as biochem/A&P, you have no choice but to goto a 4yr.

 

[usechopstix]

In this case, definitely go the CC route. You don't need to tack on anymore debt before pharmacy school even starts, forget the post-bacc and just retake the courses you need to. I could be wrong but I believe the post-bacc to be a little excessive. It'll raise your chances for sure if you do well, but then again, you can probably also get in by retaking courses you messed up in.

 

[AlPacino]

Take them at a CC. Pharmacy school is going to be a big investment, so try to be as cost efficient as you can until you get it.

 

[vivianxn]

Thanks for the advice guys! So it really doesn't matter where I take it? I just wanted to make sure because I emailed USC and they sent me this, "Yes, we take the higher grade for your science/math GPA, but retaking them all at a community college may not be as competitive as taking some at a 4 year college (for example UCLA extension or a Cal State)." So I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with this? Thanks again for your help everyone!