should i retake this class?

[GreyBlueEyes]

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i took genchem 1 my first quarter of college (11 years ago) and made a C. i wasn't even trying. for my AS in math and science i've done a biology sequence, for which i've pulled a 4.0. i've transferred to UNF and start there in january. i was going to major in chemistry, but i'm missing 3 of the prereqs before i can even start on junior/senior level classes. if i major in biology instead, i'm only missing one: genchem 2

my question is, should i just review genchem 1 on my own and go on with genchem 2, or should i retake genchem 1? will it matter to a med school that i made a C in one basic science course my first quarter at college if i have 3 recent years of science with a good GPA (assuming i continue with the high GPA)?

i hate to be another biology major (although i DO enjoy biology), but time is a factor. also, i'd really like to work in a psychology minor, and that's more feasible with bio than chem (just due to time).

does anyone have any thoughts on any of this?

 

[MossPoh]

While time is an issue, I think it is always a good idea to retake a class if it has been a long time...never hurts to solidify the ideas in your head a bit. While it is a personal thing, i find that self teaching tends to focus more on the parts you like and less on what you actually need to study. (Maybe I'll see you at UNF, since I am possibly heading there starting next summer)

 

[GreyBlueEyes]

i'm extremely good at self-teaching 🙂 i did my last three semesters online (SUNY). i'm working on refreshing now to see how i feel about it, and if it doesn't feel strong i might re-take it, but that would delay things A LOT with how they do prereqs at UNF (i would have to take genchem 1 one semester and then genchem 2 the next, and THEN start on my junior/senior level courses).

it's really hard to know what to do. if the C wouldn't be an issue with the adcoms, and if i can get a solid feel for it before january, i'll probably just skip ahead. if it doesn't feel solid, i can take genchem 1 and psych courses spring 2007 and then take genchem 2 in the summer, if they're offering it...and hopefully it wouldn't be an accelerated 6-week course. man i hate those.

 

[brookliner7]

I don't think the C will be a big deal. Especailly that long ago. I had a few C's and was still accepted.
Good Luck! 🙂

 

[pingouin]

OP, I was about the same amount of time away from Gen Chem (also got a C) as you were when I started my post-bacc classes. I decided to retake Gen Chem and Gen Bio, and am very glad that I did.

One of my deciding factors to retake was that my C was a very low C. I'm pretty sure that the curve was the only thing that saved me from getting lower than that way back when. So I knew that I had never really mastered the material.

Retook, got an A, definitely have a much better base knowledge now to study for/take the MCAT.

 

[GreyBlueEyes]

brookliner7 - thanks 🙂

jlw9698 - if it was both 1&2 that i'd taken with Cs, i'd definitely retake. since it's only one semester i need to refresh and then i'll be taking genchem 2, i THINK i can get by with it. i'm using "Schaum's Outlines: College Chemistry" to refresh, and so far it's clicking along nicely (i'm working all the problems and everything).

i actually took AP chem in high school, but it was one of 3 (with english and calc) and i had the exam last. i was too burned out to study for it, so only made a 3, but i had an A in the class. when i took genchem 1 (it was GA Tech, so i had to have at least a 4 on the AP to exempt anything), i never went to class and never opened a book. i showed up for tests which i took just with what i remembered from high school, so i wasn't kidding when i said i didn't even try (the shape of my labs was truly dismal).

you can see how after basically taking it twice, i'm reluctant to take it again 😉 if i struggle at all with schaum's, though, i'll definitely retake. i've got a ways to go with that.

 

[Johnny_D]

You need to consider a few factors. First, how will the C affect your GPA? Do you intend to have all A's with the one C? If it turns out that way, then the C probably will not hurt you, although you will have to explain it.

Second, are you rusty on the material? This is very important for the MCAT. Gen chem comprises half of one of the sections, and you need to know the material cold. If you don't, then retaking the class may be a good idea.

 

[GreyBlueEyes]

You need to consider a few factors. First, how will the C affect your GPA? Do you intend to have all A's with the one C? If it turns out that way, then the C probably will not hurt you, although you will have to explain it.

Second, are you rusty on the material? This is very important for the MCAT. Gen chem comprises half of one of the sections, and you need to know the material cold. If you don't, then retaking the class may be a good idea.

with the C i currently have a 3.63 cumulative GPA (all the credits i've ever earned, many of which were 5 years ago or older). my GPA since i've been enrolled full time is a 3.9. my science GPA without the C is 4.0, and hopefully i'll continue with that.

the MCAT point is an excellent one. im' going to talk to my advisor and find out what my options would be if i DID retake it (how much i'd be limited in what else i could take until gchem was complete).