Retaking Courses

[motherfreakingdragon]

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So I understand that this question is probably asked often, but I'm wondering what to do in my particular case. I had a family tragedy and should have taken a year off. Instead, my GPA is now dead.

I got a D in Cell Biology, C- in Orgo II, a C+ in Biochem, and a D in Calc. At this point, I think Post-Bacc is definitely a must for me. However, I'm also staying a 5th year now, so I'm wondering if I should retake all of the courses or just the Ds? My pre-health office is of course no help whatsoever. If I don't retake all of them, I'll have room for courses that are interesting, like Advanced Biological Chemistry course and Histology. Should I redo Orgo? Or just take the Advanced Biological Chemistry course?

I'm torn because if you retake a course at my school it replaces your old grade for THE SCHOOL'S GPA CALCULATION (not AMCAS GPA calculation, I don't think). Does it matter since AMCAS will see both grades anyway?

Thanks!

 

[bigdogrob4284]

I think some schools require you to have at least a C+ or something like that in pre-req courses. I would retake the cell bio, orgo 2, and calc. I think the C+ in biochem isn't worth retaking.

 

[JaundiceLeukemiaRubella]

I think that retaking them would only solidify the idea that you REALLY want to go to medical school. No one retakes courses like these unless they REALLY want it. At least you will be able to explain that you took the classes again because you know you want it...badly. As far as I'm concerned AMCAS does include those grades, but GPA is just one thing (a big thing, but one thing). Your best bet is to retake, do the best you can, MCAT (if you haven't taken it, kill it, or take it again, kill it), apply, and post bacc if you need it still. Differentiate yourself from the pack, and be a boss. At this point, it is an uphill battle. I am in the same situation as you, but I have one more class to retake (not even a pre req for med school). All you can really do is just keep working at it. You know what you want...take it.

 

[kevinsword91]

AMCAS counts all grades. I would opt for retaking the class at the same school as you: 1) should have a better idea of what to expect in the course since you have already taken it 2) have the option of using DO grade replacement if you later decide to apply DO 3) Probably costs less than a post-bac

Take care how you schedule the retake classes. You need A or A- grades in all your retakes. Taking all of them one semester might be too much and only get you sub-par results.