which class should I choose...

[zxcv1234]

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What would be the better choice:


Should I retake a 3 credit D+ non-science course from freshman year - course is unrelated and does not contribute toward my major at all (I really don't want to take it again)

or

take new 4 credit science class that contributes to my major (and obviously ace it)?

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A gpa boost is nice, but i really would not gain much from the old class....

 

[MossPoh]

I'd go with the one that raises the BCMP if I had to choose. You're just going to get that one class averaged if you take it again I believe. What course was it that you pulled a D+ in?

 

[146233]

I'd go with the one that raises the BCMP if I had to choose. You're just going to get that one class averaged if you take it again I believe. What course was it that you pulled a D+ in?

I agree, but remember, for AACOMAS, it's just the BCP. No math in the 'science' GPA. Good luck!

 

[jonb12997]

hmmm... this is a very good question.

IMO, I personally would say, do you have a good reason that you got a D+? (a good excuse in my book is that you were a young immature freshman and didn't take things seriously enough, but you got your act together and got good grades from there on out). If you can show that you've gotten your act together and can score well in upper level science courses, I think that would be better than retaking a unrelated, non-science course.

 

[SunshineNYC]

A friend of mine on an ADCOM told me that they really only look at your last 2 years... and that they cut out freshman and sophomore year from the mix when considering you as a candidate. The course seems unrelated to your goals now and just explain that you were immature or not ready for school or whatever, if it ever comes up... which it probably won't since it's not a pre-req. I think it would be much better to take an upper-level science course and do well in it... this will show you are dedicated and ready for medical school.

 

[Jpc984]

A friend of mine on an ADCOM told me that they really only look at your last 2 years... and that they cut out freshman and sophomore year from the mix when considering you as a candidate. The course seems unrelated to your goals now and just explain that you were immature or not ready for school or whatever, if it ever comes up... which it probably won't since it's not a pre-req. I think it would be much better to take an upper-level science course and do well in it... this will show you are dedicated and ready for medical school.

I hope all adcoms have this philosophy because that would be great!

 

[SunshineNYC]

Sorry... I was speaking sort of loosely. Unofficially, they look at it that way...

I was in a similar boat, with poor early grades and I was told hands down not to retake those courses and to take upper level sciences. I had a D in calc from freshman year, and they just wanted to see that NOW I can handle and am dedicated to upper level science courses, so I didn't retake calc... instead took biochemistry. No ADCOM I spoke with wanted me to retake a course from freshman year, and I imagine especially if i's not a science course. But, then, a friend of mine who works on an ADCOM, unofficially told me that they don't really look at your early performance anyway since there's an adjustment period when entering college and many factors could make one not reach their highest potential. So, go for the science course.

 

[Chargers]

I agree, but remember, for AACOMAS, it's just the BCP. No math in the 'science' GPA. Good luck!

😱 Are you serious? This is great news. yeahhhhhhhh, screw that B in Cal II

 

[Jpc984]

I'd go with the one that raises the BCMP if I had to choose. You're just going to get that one class averaged if you take it again I believe. What course was it that you pulled a D+ in?

IN AACOMAS, the grade is replaced... not averaged.

 

[Lamont]

A friend of mine on an ADCOM told me that they really only look at your last 2 years... and that they cut out freshman and sophomore year from the mix when considering you as a candidate. The course seems unrelated to your goals now and just explain that you were immature or not ready for school or whatever, if it ever comes up... which it probably won't since it's not a pre-req. I think it would be much better to take an upper-level science course and do well in it... this will show you are dedicated and ready for medical school.

false. period. First two years matter, regardless of the school. If they didnt count, I could pull a 2.0 for 2years, a 4.0 for the last 2 years and waltz into any school I please (as long as the MCAT is good). do whatever it takes to get your GPA up. Knuckle under, retake those classes and then make A's elsewhere. 7 A's sounds better than 4 A's and 3 D+'s (maybe those numbers are reversed, whatever). 28/7 = 4.0 19/7 = 2.71. One thing I do know is that adcoms dont really care about +/-'s since most schools do not follow that system (gotta level the playing field). Which of those numbers gets into med school? Exactly. This will also show some maturity and help you get in and you are able to avoid some rough questions. good luck.

 

[SunshineNYC]

false. period. First two years matter, regardless of the school. If they didnt count, I could pull a 2.0 for 2years, a 4.0 for the last 2 years and waltz into any school I please (as long as the MCAT is good). do whatever it takes to get your GPA up. Knuckle under, retake those classes and then make A's elsewhere. 7 A's sounds better than 4 A's and 3 D+'s (maybe those numbers are reversed, whatever). 28/7 = 4.0 19/7 = 2.71. One thing I do know is that adcoms dont really care about +/-'s since most schools do not follow that system (gotta level the playing field). Which of those numbers gets into med school? Exactly. This will also show some maturity and help you get in and you are able to avoid some rough questions. good luck.

I was being rigid, I didn't mean they throw out your first two years in school... but I meant that they MOSTLY look at your most recent grades. I was in this situation personally... I had a bad first two years, with some D's... I had a D in calculus and economics and I didn't retake those courses to lift the GPA. I went into an ADCOM office for advice and they told me they didn't care about those courses or grades and that they'd prefer to see that I got an A in some upper level science course and to put those courses that were unrelated to medicine behind me. I then received the same advice from a friend on an ADCOM at a different school.

Take a course relevant to the study of medicine and do well instead of re-taking some unrelated course you did poorly in your freshman year. That's my advice. I think taking a course to learn its substance is better than just taking a course to boost your numbers.