sGPA Differential: Is it worth retaking?

[Shammyguy3]

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Prior to any of my retakes, my sGPA was a 2.8. These are the classes I have retaken with first attempt grade in (*): Ochem I (C), Ochem II (D), Genetics (C), Cell Bio (C-) and replaced them with A, B+, A, and A respectively. My sGPA now is a 3.41, and I will be taking Biochemistry in the spring. I am wondering though, would it be worth it to retake a gen chem II course I got a C+ in 5 years ago? Or are my four already retaken courses (3.86 between the four retakes combined) sufficient enough to show schools that I have transformed myself into a much better student?

Best case scenario, if I do not retake gen chem and get an A in Biochem my sGPA will be a 3.45.
If I do retake gen chem and get an A, while also getting an A in Biochemistry my sGPA would be 3.54

Want to make sure this science GPA increase is worth spending nearly $2,000 on.

 

[austintr]

Prior to any of my retakes, my sGPA was a 2.8. These are the classes I have retaken with first attempt grade in (*): Ochem I (C), Ochem II (D), Genetics (C), Cell Bio (C-) and replaced them with A, B+, A, and A respectively. My sGPA now is a 3.41, and I will be taking Biochemistry in the spring. I am wondering though, would it be worth it to retake a gen chem II course I got a C+ in 5 years ago? Or are my four already retaken courses (3.86 between the four retakes combined) sufficient enough to show schools that I have transformed myself into a much better student?

Best case scenario, if I do not retake gen chem and get an A in Biochem my sGPA will be a 3.45.
If I do retake gen chem and get an A, while also getting an A in Biochemistry my sGPA would be 3.54

Want to make sure this science GPA increase is worth spending nearly $2,000 on.

You're probably fine without retaking. 3.41 is adequate or above for pretty much every school. Especially if the class was taken 5 years ago. You've already shown you can perform in hard sciences, with your only B in organic II, so I don't think they'll have any issues with you having a C in a lower level class than those in which you have performed better. Unless you have/get a sub-125 C/P MCAT, you should be fine.

 

[Shammyguy3]

That's what I'm hoping. My last 31 science credit hours with the retakes I have a 3.8 sGPA

@Goro would like an admin's thoughts if you have the time

 

[Shammyguy3]

Anybody think I definitely should retake the gen Chem II course?

 

[popopopop]

Anybody think I definitely should retake the gen Chem II course?

I'd retake if I didn't have to do lab. Lab is a pain in the butt and takes too much of my time.

 

[XxiycmanxX]

If i was in your shoes, I would retake the course. A 3.5 looks better than a 3.4, if you have time do it. If not then its not going to kill you.

 

[brew]

I think if you get a good MCAT score (above the average for the school you are applying) you should be fine for DO schools and not need the retake. But if you have time and money, doing well on the mcat and retaking the class can only help you!

 

[CCmetal94]

You're probably fine. Really depends on your MCAT. If you score like a 500 then I would learn more towards retaking. Score above that and I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Shammyguy3]

If i was in your shoes, I would retake the course. A 3.5 looks better than a 3.4, if you have time do it. If not then its not going to kill you.

3.45 before, 3.53 after

You think that's a significant difference? I really don't think so but I posted this thread to see if a majority disagree with me

 

[ERinspired]

3.45 before, 3.53 after

You think that's a significant difference? I really don't think so but I posted this thread to see if a majority disagree with me

Think about it this way,

If you follow a grading scale that looks like this:

4.0-A
3.5-AB
3.0-B
2.5-BC etc.

The difference amounts to averaging above an AB or below.

I'd retake it provided you have the time and money.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[austintr]

I think you're at the point of diminishing returns, contrary to what many people are saying. Absolutely retake it if you want to spend the time and money on it. It couldn't hurt. But to answer your question of whether your retakes already done are enough to show a transformation as a student, in my opinion, YES. Is that little bump in GPA enough to warrant 2K in tuition? Depends on who you ask and what value you place on that amount of money. Yes, it's a drop in the bucket compared to med school tuition, but will a 3.45 keep you out of med school and a 3.53 get you in? Absolutely 100% not. I can guarantee no adcom will look at your app and say "well, if he had juuust a bit higher GPA..." And I don't guarantee things often.

At the end of the day, your 3.45 will get you in, given a decent MCAT and good EC's/LORs, etc.

 

[deleted610572]

You said the chem classes are 5 years old? Check admission requirements, but a lot of schools say they have to be taken within the last 5 years from matriculation date

 

[Shammyguy3]

You said the chem classes are 5 years old? Check admission requirements, but a lot of schools say they have to be taken within the last 5 years from matriculation date

Not true

 

[deleted610572]

Not true

"must be satisfactorily completed within five (5) years prior to submitting an AMCAS application to our school. Alternatively, undergraduate prerequisite science courses completed after a four-year degree was obtained must have been completed within five (5) years prior to submitting an AMCAS application to our school."

Right off UNC medical schools website

 

[Shammyguy3]

"must be satisfactorily completed within five (5) years prior to submitting an AMCAS application to our school. Alternatively, undergraduate prerequisite science courses completed after a four-year degree was obtained must have been completed within five (5) years prior to submitting an AMCAS application to our school."

Right off UNC medical schools website

That's AMCAS. Osteopathic schools it is AACOMAS

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I agree with the majority, a 3.4x vs. a 3.5x won't matter. Your time would be better spent taking an upper-level science class and acing that; it looks more impressive than a retake of gen. chem. You've already proven you can do chemistry with your Ochem retakes and (hopefully) a solid grade in biochem.

 

[Shammyguy3]

Thanks everyone for your input

 

[OrdinaryDO]

That's AMCAS. Osteopathic schools it is AACOMAS

There are also D.O. Schools that have expiration dates for science classes.

 

[Shammyguy3]

There are also D.O. Schools that have expiration dates for science classes.

Of the schools I have looked at I haven't seen anything of the sort