Should I retake my classes classes from my dismal freshman year?

[AMin2012313]

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Freshman year, I went through a bit of PTSD, depression, and insomnia. I was an engineering major- I wasn't even thinking of dentistry at that time.

As a result; I ended up getting a C in Physics, D- in Calc, D in CS lab,

I'm much better and I'm going to be a sophomore in college and I'm retaking Calc and CS right now to better my GPA.

But from looking at some dental schools, I'm scared that my GPA will still include the classes that I failed and it will bring my science and math score down. I seriously plan on making only A's sophomore year in OCHEM, Bio, and my Neuro classes, but if they average my D- and A for Calc, it wouldn't look that great.

What should I do? Right now, without retaking any classes, my GPA is at 2.94 by the end of freshman year. But if I retake those classes, my cumulative GPA would be at 3.67. My science GPA right now is at a 3.017. When I include my calculus classes in for the predental classes, I get 2.438 which isn't enough at all.

For my Pre-Dental classes, I got a: C in Physics, D- in Calc (advanced calc), B+ in Gen Chem 1, B in Gen Chem 2, B in Gen Chem 1 lab, A in Gen Chem 2 lab, A in physics lab.

I'm a bit scared since I want to get in, but I'm scared that my low grades will harm me in the end.

 

[AMin2012313]

I'm also planning on taking the DAT at the beginning of junior year and I plan on studying really hard for that to get a high DAT score.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

For the AADSAS GPA calculation, retaking does not replace the existing grades. It's treated as a separate, additional course. So don't retake it if the only reason you're doing so is because you think doing so will raise your GPA to a 3.67 - for the purpose of a dental school application, it won't.

 

[AMin2012313]

I read that they would average the retake and the original grade to replace it? I'm also retaking it because I want to prove to myself and show dental schools that although my freshman year was awful, I can do well in my classes. I didn't prioritize school as much, and instead, focused on myself.

What do I do? I'm sort of lost and I'm freaking out a bit because of how bad I did freshman year.

For science classes, do they mean all the science classes that you took are just the ones that were needed for premed?

 

[DocJL]

nursing?

dental hygiene?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

I read that they would average the retake and the original grade to replace it?

There's no real averaging being done, or replacement period. It's just calculated as another course. Your school's police may be to average or replace grades for retaken courses, but AADSAS does not.

 

[AMin2012313]

OK. Since I'm already retaking Calc 1 and CS lab, I may as well still shoot for an A. But I won't retake Physics and instead, I'll just make sure to improve my grades and study hard for the DAT. And I'm shadowing a dentist this summer. Other than that, I'm not sure of what else I could do for my GPA.