Take more upper div or re-take prereq?

[dcalbano]

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Hello!
I'm going to be signing up for spring semester classes next month and I wanted some advice on what to take. This will be my last semester before starting applications in May.

CUM GPA: 3.46
SCI GPA: 3.51
MCAT: 26 (9,9,8)

I have the option of taking 2 upper division science courses (genetics & conservation bio) or re-taking Gen chem 1 (originally a C+). Re-taking the gen chem has the potential to have a bigger impact on moving my cumulative and sci gpas to 3.5 & 3.6. However, as for now the only upper div science I will have on my transcript is biochem. I was not a science major in undergrad so I took all the prereqs after graduating through postbac. As low as my MCAT is, will it be a red flag to have such a lack of upper div science courses? Would it look better to take the 2 upper div science courses?

Thanks 🙂

 

[AlteredScale]

Take more upper division! Your GPA is fine and you need to prove (via having the grades on your transcript) that you can do well in rigorous basic science courses. Good luck!

 

[calbear0959]

So you don't think a 3.5 cum gpa and 3.6 sci gpa would make much of a difference? Applying with 3 upper divs would be better (biochem, conservation bio, and genetics)?

 

[AlteredScale]

So you don't think a 3.5 cum gpa and 3.6 sci gpa would make much of a difference? Applying with 3 upper divs would be better (biochem, conservation bio, and genetics)?

Nah, my stats were close to that and that is around the matriculant average for MD schools so you'll be fine. You need to prove to AdComs that you can take rigorous courses. Biochem and genetics are great courses to prove that. Not so much conservation bio but it's fine either way.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Retake the Chem. Its important to show that you can do well in these pre-req courses since this is what they use to compare all students (since everyones takes the same pre-med courses). Also, rather than 2 upper level courses take 1. Its is important like @AlteredScale mentioned that upper level courses show how well you can handle med school courses.

 

[Buddy.the.Elf]

Why not retake chem and take one upper division class together? Genetics is often recommended.

 

[AlteredScale]

Retake the Chem. Its important to show that you can do well in these pre-req courses since this is what they use to compare all students (since everyones takes the same pre-med courses). Also, rather than 2 upper level courses take 1. Its is important like @AlteredScale mentioned that upper level courses show how well you can handle med school courses.

Hmm yeah I didn't thing about that. OP can retake the Chem course while also taking the UD course and probably bumping out conservation bio. Chem, biochem, and genetics.....very close to what I took (Ochem, biochem, genetics) ...that'll be a fun term OP! 😉 Good luck!

 

[baxt1412]

I wouldn't worry about a single C+ if you are averaging in the B+ range
if you have a bunch of Cs with some As that get you to that 3.5 then maybe yes start retaking the Cs, but it sounds like the C+ is the only "bad grade" that you have.

either decision you make is unlikely to have a huge impact on the outcome in all honesty. do whatever allows for more free time and is better for your schedule IMO.

 

[calbear0959]

The only reason I didn't consider taking 1 UD and the chem together was because of time commitment. The Gchem requires more time (lab, discussion, and lecture), whereas the 2 UD's are just lecture. I think you guys have given me good advice and will just suck it up and take genetics and gchem.

To add to this, @baxt1412, My first year in undergrad (2009) I failed calculus and received a "NP" (no pass) in a basic bio course. I discussed this in another thread but for administrative reasons I'm not able to retake the calculus. As for the bio 1 & 2 prereqs, I received a B+ and an A (hoping this makes up for the "NP" 5 years ago). The NP from the bio course was an extra reason I thought taking the 2 UD's might be better for my overall application.

 

[baxt1412]

The only reason I didn't consider taking 1 UD and the chem together was because of time commitment. The Gchem requires more time (lab, discussion, and lecture), whereas the 2 UD's are just lecture. I think you guys have given me good advice and will just suck it up and take genetics and gchem.

To add to this, @baxt1412, My first year in undergrad (2009) I failed calculus and received a "NP" (no pass) in a basic bio course. I discussed this in another thread but for administrative reasons I'm not able to retake the calculus. As for the bio 1 & 2 prereqs, I received a B+ and an A (hoping this makes up for the "NP" 5 years ago). The NP from the bio course was an extra reason I thought taking the 2 UD's might be better for my overall application.

admissions committees know that freshman year can be a tough transition for a lot of people. most freshmen aren't even mature enough to wash their own laundry (okay that is sort of and exaggeration), let alone perform their best after they just moved into a video game, alcohol, and drug-laden land away from parents. I wouldn't worry about the F in Calc nor the NP in bio. seems like you've significantly changed your ways and your GPA is fine.

if you've got that F, an NP, and a C+ in gen chem, I wouldn't worry about it. that's three grades out of what? like a future total of 40 classes (5 classes per semester)?


good luck, I think you're probably doing fine. keeping getting some solid As and apply early and appropriately and I think you will have multiple II

 

[calbear0959]

Thanks for the advice! @baxt1412 can't thank you enough for all the comments on my threads 🙂

 

[calbear0959]

Sorry to resurrect this thread guys but I really need some advice. Due to some ridiculous administrative issues I'm not able to retake Gchem. I also decided that since biochem is only required at a handful of schools that I was just going to apply with it in progress. The only place for me to take it would be at a local 4 year and I thought it would be unwise to shell out ~1200 for a class that I might or might not need to take. I was a nonscience major in undergrad so I have 0 upper division science courses. I am, however, enrolled in 2 UD's at my local cc (genetics and conservation bio). Do you guys think this is going to severely hinder me during applications? Applying with only 2 UD's and biochem in progress?