Should I Retake Prereqs?

[FrkyBgStok]

Ok here is my situation.

I recieved an AAS in automotive science out of high school and have been taking classes ever since part time (about 7 years) at a community college. About a year and a half ago I attended a private college and first semester I took Bio I, Chem I, Phys I, and Prealgebra. Second I took Bio II, Chem II, and Phys II. Other than the math, I basically got all C's. Had to work because I had a daughter and my wife was pregnant. Then we had the second and my wife got pregnant again so I moved back to the community college.

Not including these C's I have 121 credits with a 3.81 GPA. So if I get As and Bs the rest of college I should maintain that. I plan to move back to the four year while majoring in a science (either biology or biochem). If I do well in these, would it help offset my C's. My question is should I retake none, some, or all of these prereq classes or just move on, bust nuts, and do well on the rest? If i don't retake these, they will be the only Cs on my transcript.

I really appreciate all the help.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I also plan on going osteopathic. dream school is DMU as I am from des moines.

 

[njbmd]

Unless you retake those classes that you received Cs in, you can't say that you have a 3.81 uGPA. Your uGPA is whatever is on your transcript with those classes and if you retake and get all As, under the osteopathic system it will be what it will be with those As substituted. In short, you have to include those Cs until you replace them.

You need to take the Medical College Admissions Test. What is your knowledge base for this test? Since many of those classes that you plan to retake have knowledge that is tested on the MCAT, you may need to retake for the purposes of making sure that you are well-prepared for this test. No osteopathic school is going to take you with a poor score so that doing well on this important test may be of paramount importance in your desire to get into osteopathic school.

Calculate with and without retakes in those courses so that you actually know where you are and where you can go. Many people get into medical school with Cs on their transcripts but you may need to be sure that you have a solid grounding and knowledge base for the MCAT (easier said than done). There have been plenty of people who had As on their transcripts that "hit the wall" on the MCAT. Don't underestimate this test and be realistic in where you stand within how competitive you are for the schools that you want to apply to.

If you are not competitive, then get yourself competitive by whatever means necessary. If you have to work and support a family, then don't expect that this will be an easy process. Is it doable? Yes, it is, but go slow, do excellent work and keep your eye on your long-term goals.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

thanks for the input. figuring it up with the classes I have taken and these classes puts me at a 3.52 cum GPA. So assuming i take upper level classes and get mostly a's i might be able to raise it up. but i hear what you are saying about the MCAT and getting C's may mean the material isn't as grounded as I had hoped. thanks again.