Retaking undergrad classes--question

[SouthFLNonTrad]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Quick question for you all--I'm wanting to retake both Physics II and Organic II in the spring to try and beef up my SGPA.

In your opinion, how would adcoms view retaking just those 2 classes (at a 4 year college) as opposed to sucking it up and retaking both I & II in both phy/orgo? Is it worthwhile to just start from "scratch", or can I do just those two and not have it be a problem on my application?

Also....the Physics required by most schools---do they want with Calculus, or does it not matter?

Thanks!

 

[spicedmanna]

Quick question for you all--I'm wanting to retake both Physics II and Organic II in the spring to try and beef up my SGPA.

In your opinion, how would adcoms view retaking just those 2 classes (at a 4 year college) as opposed to sucking it up and retaking both I & II in both phy/orgo? Is it worthwhile to just start from "scratch", or can I do just those two and not have it be a problem on my application?

Also....the Physics required by most schools---do they want with Calculus, or does it not matter?

Thanks!

How long ago did you take these courses? If it was long ago, then perhaps you would benefit from retaking I & II, especially if you do well in them and are preparing to take the MCAT. Mine were between 8-15 years ago, so it was a no brainer for me. I retook the majority of my prereqs, minus calculus, English, and biochem.

For raising the SGPA, however, I'd recommend taking advanced, upper-level science classes. Retaking the same classes might not be as effective (in the eyes of some schools) as taking an advanced class of the same subject. If you didn't do very well (below C) in the mentioned classes, then you would probably benefit from retaking them to show mastery of the material, and then follow up with an advanced class to make a home run.

I took physics with calculus and thought it was fun and worth it, but it is by no means required by medical schools. I think you just need to take the basic college physics for non-majors, without calculus.

 

[spicedmanna]

FWIW:

If your screen name suggests your state of residence, I'd take the time to talk to the advisors/Deans at your state schools. They are apparently very helpful and will give you direct advice on how to get into their schools based on your current situation.

 

[AlbanyEpiGirl]

How long ago did you take these courses? If it was long ago, then perhaps you would benefit from retaking I & II, especially if you do well in them and are preparing to take the MCAT. Mine were between 8-15 years ago, so it was a no brainer for me. I retook the majority of my prereqs, minus calculus, English, and biochem

Hi....I just wanted to ask you. You said you took your prereqs between 8-15 years ago...I am currently in an MPH program while also finishing up my 4 pre-reqs remaining (I received a B.A. in Political Science then took a year off) so...to make a long story short. I should be applying for medical school for the acceptance year of 2008 and, if necessary, 2009. That would mean that I took General Physics I (and received an A in it) in the summer of 2000. If I take General Physics II next year and do well in it (I have never received a grade lower than a B on ANY of my pre-reqs), do you recommend that I take General Physics I over? Honestly...I did so well in it, and considering I'm a FT grad student, I don't have the time/money/resources for that. 😕

 

[spicedmanna]

Hi....I just wanted to ask you. You said you took your prereqs between 8-15 years ago...I am currently in an MPH program while also finishing up my 4 pre-reqs remaining (I received a B.A. in Political Science then took a year off) so...to make a long story short. I should be applying for medical school for the acceptance year of 2008 and, if necessary, 2009. That would mean that I took General Physics I (and received an A in it) in the summer of 2000. If I take General Physics II next year and do well in it (I have never received a grade lower than a B on ANY of my pre-reqs), do you recommend that I take General Physics I over? Honestly...I did so well in it, and considering I'm a FT grad student, I don't have the time/money/resources for that. 😕

For the most part, your classes don't actually "expire". It's rare, but there are a few medical schools (around seven, I think) that require all of your premedical pre-reqs to have been completed within a certain time frame upon application. This time frame varies from school to school, so, I'd check directly with the admissions departments of the individual schools that you are thinking about applying to, for their advice.

Most schools, however, will accept your older classes, but prefer to see that you have completed current course work, particularly in the sciences. Since you are working on your masters and also taking your remaining pre-reqs, I think that you would have covered this by the time you apply. If you don't apply to schools with specific time requirements, then you should be perfectly fine. Just make sure you thoroughly review the past material for the MCAT.

My situations was a little different than yours. I had been out of school for something like eight years before I got the itch to become a doctor. Even though I had an excellent retention of the material, I felt that, given my extended time away from having taken any classes of any nature, that I would benefit from retaking the majority of my premedical classes again. This would serve three purposes: to demonstrate my mastery over the standard material required for medical school, to provide current course work over a period of time, and to prepare me for the MCAT. I also supplemented with an additional advanced biology class, a neuroscience class. It was a win-win situation, I think (hope).

So, my sense is that, by-in-large, you will be fine with your current set up. But definitely check with the schools that you intend to apply to make sure.