Retaking courses, good idea or bad?

[hunterg5]

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Hey all,

I'm doing well in my other science courses right now but I've been really struggling in my Chem 2 course lately. It's not the concept of the material, it's more working the problems out. My professor doesn't give a whole lot of opportunity to show us how to do the problems we're going to be tested on, he'd rather teach concept. I think best case scenario I could end up with a B, but it'll more likely be a BC or C. Is it a terrible idea to retake courses for when I apply to med school or should I stick it out and let the C stay on my transcript?

 

[hunterg5]

Let me reemphasize that I don't struggle with the concepts, but rather all of the calculations and such that we're never taught. I feel that if I were to retake it with a different instructor I could do just fine

 

[super frank]

This is for dental school, but nonetheless, when applying for professional school course grades are averaged together when retaken. Something to think about...

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

@Rekker Not for DOs loool. Anyways, don't retake if you get a B. While a B is mediocre you can always make up for it with better semesters in the future. Sometimes, you just get unlucky and don't get the best professors there isn't much you can do about it.

 

[PLAQUE-MAN]

Hey all,

I'm doing well in my other science courses right now but I've been really struggling in my Chem 2 course lately. It's not the concept of the material, it's more working the problems out. My professor doesn't give a whole lot of opportunity to show us how to do the problems we're going to be tested on, he'd rather teach concept. I think best case scenario I could end up with a B, but it'll more likely be a BC or C. Is it a terrible idea to retake courses for when I apply to med school or should I stick it out and let the C stay on my transcript?

It depends. Personally, I received a C in both semesters of organic chemistry, however I received A's in all my other science classes (biochemistry, physical chemistry, etc.) and a 22 on the OChem section of the DAT.
If you manage to get a B or even a C, make up for it by doing extremely well in your other courses. Dental schools like to see the "upward trend" in your grades. Besides, as Rekker mentioned, if you retook the course and got an A, it would average your final grade to a B. In my opinion, I don't think a difference of one letter grade is worth it to retake the whole semester.