Retaking courses

[stiz]

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I took Biochemistry as an undergraduate (10+ years ago) (C-)...

I took Biochemistry this past semester as a graduate student (A)...

Can I use that to replace the previous, undergraduate course on my AACOMAS application?

Also I retook a graduate statistics course ... since I took it the first time
the course numbering has changed.... STAT 311 to STAT 511. I earned a B
the first time (~ 10 years ago) and an A this time.

Any advice? Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

Shaun

 

[RySerr21]

I took Biochemistry as an undergraduate (10+ years ago) (C-)...

I took Biochemistry this past semester as a graduate student (A)...

Can I use that to replace the previous, undergraduate course on my AACOMAS application?

Also I retook a graduate statistics course ... since I took it the first time
the course numbering has changed.... STAT 311 to STAT 511. I earned a B
the first time (~ 10 years ago) and an A this time.

Any advice? Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

Shaun

if you retake a course AACOMAS will only look at the second time you took it. they wont even calculaute the C- into your GPA (assuming you didnt do worse the second time around, which you didnt)

 

[Kateb4]

I took Biochemistry as an undergraduate (10+ years ago) (C-)...

I took Biochemistry this past semester as a graduate student (A)...

Can I use that to replace the previous, undergraduate course on my AACOMAS application?

Also I retook a graduate statistics course ... since I took it the first time
the course numbering has changed.... STAT 311 to STAT 511. I earned a B
the first time (~ 10 years ago) and an A this time.

Any advice? Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

Shaun

I don't think that you can use graduate level classes as repeats for undergraduate level, since the GPA's are calculated separately. As for the STAT class, the same would apply. The actuall course numbers are not important as long as they are the same class by your university's standards. If you took the both classes as a graduate student, then only the most recent grade would count, but if 311 was while you were undergrad, it would be counted separately.

I would email AACOMAS to get a definate answer on those!

 

[Nasem]

I don't think that you can use graduate level classes as repeats for undergraduate level, since the GPA's are calculated separately. As for the STAT class, the same would apply. The actuall course numbers are not important as long as they are the same class by your university's standards. If you took the both classes as a graduate student, then only the most recent grade would count, but if 311 was while you were undergrad, it would be counted separately.

I would email AACOMAS to get a definate answer on those!

this is a good assumption...

Stiz, the best thing to do is to contact AACOMAS and ask them the same question

 

[stiz]

Thanks very much. i sent an email to AACOMAS. I'll let you know when I hear something back.

Forgot to ask this though:

If I retake an undergraduate course but I'm 'enrolled' as a graduate student
when I retake it can I use the new course? Replace it?

Basically, is it your 'enrollment status' that matters? Or the 'course level'?

Thanks again.

Shaun

 

[t-funk]

The course level, not enrollment status.

 

[gasapple]

If I retake an undergraduate course but I'm 'enrolled' as a graduate student when I retake it can I use the new course? Replace it?

The answer is unequivocally 'yes'. For example, I'm a non-trad and I went back to improve my ugrad GPA by retaking certain courses as a "special master's student" (before later switching into an actual master's program but that's not relevant here). For example, if I took ugrad science courses (i.e. physics, o-chem, chem, biochem) enrolled as a special graduate it's a simple replacement designation on the AACOMAS application. The number of the course did not necessarily need to match (often didn't since I was out of school for so long) but AACOMAS should be able to compare course titles or see course relevance. Bottom line, you designate and declare the replacement on your app, if AACOMAS can't seem to justify it then they will contact you.

Also, you need to simply classify coursework on your AACOMAS as post-bacc (meaning this could be an ugrad course level but you're enrolled as a grad student) or graduate level. I'd suggest taking a good amount of graduate level courses as well if you are going to retake some ugrad-level courses as a special master's student. It's going to be a tad more expensive per hour as a graduate but replacing some of those ugrad grades will seriously boost your GPA.

 

[Nasem]

The answer is unequivocally 'yes'. For example, I'm a non-trad and I went back to improve my ugrad GPA by retaking certain courses as a "special master's student" (before later switching into an actual master's program but that's not relevant here). For example, if I took ugrad science courses (i.e. physics, o-chem, chem, biochem) enrolled as a special graduate it's a simple replacement designation on the AACOMAS application. The number of the course did not necessarily need to match (often didn't since I was out of school for so long) but AACOMAS should be able to compare course titles or see course relevance. Bottom line, you designate and declare the replacement on your app, if AACOMAS can't seem to justify it then they will contact you.
Also, you need to simply classify coursework on your AACOMAS as post-bacc (meaning this could be an ugrad course level but you're enrolled as a grad student) or graduate level. I'd suggest taking a good amount of graduate level courses as well if you are going to retake some ugrad-level courses as a special master's student. It's going to be a tad more expensive per hour as a graduate but replacing some of those ugrad grades will seriously boost your GPA.

thats pretty cool, I never knew how the "retake" process worked exactly...

Does this re-take rule only apply to science classes? Cause man, during my undergrad, I earned some TERRIBLE GPA killers on many classes like philosophy (D), Ethics (D+), public speaking (C-), Some history class(D+), and a few more that I can't remember...... would be REAL nice to being able to retake those (even though I am not at the same university)

 

[gasapple]

thats pretty cool, I never knew how the "retake" process worked exactly...

Does this re-take rule only apply to science classes? Cause man, during my undergrad, I earned some TERRIBLE GPA killers on many classes like philosophy (D), Ethics (D+), public speaking (C-), Some history class(D+), and a few more that I can't remember...... would be REAL nice to being able to retake those (even though I am not at the same university)

Well, it's ultimately up to AACOMAS but if the course hours are similar and the course titles can be resolved, you will be successful with the replacements. Granted, you can't always stretch it - but within reasonable parameters, you can declare replacement. I even switched universities and the replacements "took" but the course titles were very similar/same. The course numbers were completely different and I still had absolutely no problem declaring replacement with AACOMAS (the drop down designation - you know, 05 replaces grade 01). Rest assured, it will be evaluated by AACOMAS but is a very nice aspect of AACOMAS and testament to the kind of individuals osteopathic medicine hopes to attract - those with a wide range of backgrounds but no less suited for success in the practice of medicine.

I suggest retaking anything below a C (mainly focus on science but sounds like you want to focus on your overall GPA, which is fine) without a doubt and throw in some advanced science coursework to stay sharp while you do it - you'll be golden!

 

[EEL08]

thats pretty cool, I never knew how the "retake" process worked exactly...

Does this re-take rule only apply to science classes? Cause man, during my undergrad, I earned some TERRIBLE GPA killers on many classes like philosophy (D), Ethics (D+), public speaking (C-), Some history class(D+), and a few more that I can't remember...... would be REAL nice to being able to retake those (even though I am not at the same university)

It applies to all classes, not just science and you can take them at a different school they just need to be comparable.

 

[Nasem]

I am actually focusing on the sciences (all the pre-med reqs since I never took em in my undergrad)....on top of that, I am also trying to raise my AO GPA since its my lowest category (3.01 overall, 3.3+ science, and god knows what my AO is, Im too scared to check, its defenetly lower than 3.0)

 

[gasapple]

I am actually focusing on the sciences (all the pre-med reqs since I never took em in my undergrad)....on top of that, I am also trying to raise my AO GPA since its my lowest category (3.01 overall, 3.3+ science, and god knows what my AO is, Im too scared to check, its defenetly lower than 3.0)

See my post to you above - and go for it! You'll be doing fine and it's another opportunity for you to make it happen. 👍

 

[Nasem]

will certainly do 🙂

Actually, since January of 2007, I been doing my post-bacc on a part time basis (I work and support myself, its hard to go full time when your a software engineer and you have to put in 40-50 hrs of work every week)..... However, I have been able to save alot of money over the past few years, so I took a LOA -leave of absense- from January 7th till may 7th (4 months off baby!!!! only crappy part is I don't get paid for those 4 months)... and now Im pushing full time status with 17 credits (Orgo II, Gen Chem II, GenChem II lab, Orgo lab, psychology 101, & Sociology 101)

I hope Med schools don't frown upon me for taking some my post-bacc on a part time basis... I mean some of us just don't have a choice

 

[gasapple]

will certainly do 🙂

Actually, since January of 2007, I been doing my post-bacc on a part time basis (I work and support myself, its hard to go full time when your a software engineer and you have to put in 40-50 hrs of work every week)..... However, I have been able to save alot of money over the past few years, so I took a LOA -leave of absense- from January 7th till may 7th (4 months off baby!!!! only crappy part is I don't get paid for those 4 months)... and now Im pushing full time status with 17 credits (Orgo II, Gen Chem II, GenChem II lab, Orgo lab, psychology 101, & Sociology 101)

I hope Med schools don't frown upon me for taking some my post-bacc on a part time basis... I mean some of us just don't have a choice

They won't - part time is OK but sounds like you have the time now. I did the same as a network/software engineer, too. I was taking the grad courses after work (or I'd go in to office early and leave early) and studying for the MCAT when the time came. It wasn't easy. Studying after a full day of work is draining...

 

[Nasem]

gasapple, you are my new inspiration 🙂

since your a few hundered steps ahead of me, what do you think is more stresfull, studying for your medical classes or working in IT and studying partime trying to get into medicine....

by the way, I really appreciate all your input, it just makes me feel better to see someone who was in a similar position as I am now how made it all the way through 😀

 

[gasapple]

gasapple, you are my new inspiration 🙂

since your a few hundered steps ahead of me, what do you think is more stresfull, studying for your medical classes or working in IT and studying partime trying to get into medicine....

by the way, I really appreciate all your input, it just makes me feel better to see someone who was in a similar position as I am now how made it all the way through 😀

I'm not that far down the road, really. I can't comment on actual med school just yet as I'm about to matriculate in the coming months. I'd venture to say that the two situations (work/study and actual med school) based on time input alone, are fairly comparable. If you get used to the rigors of coming home and studying (as you are planning) after a long day as an engineer, I'd bet you'd be ready for the discipline required for med school. Just stay focused Nasem and keep striving - you'll get there and it seems like you've got the right perspective. 👍 Best to you in the future.

 

[tm96]

Thank you guys for this post. I think I'm in the same situation as you guys and knowing that others out there have made it give me an inspiration to keep working harder. 👍 Good luck to us all.