Which classes to retake?

[Debster]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,

I have a very low gpa to improve, so I wanted to know, is it better to retake prepharmacy courses or do you retake any course you did poorly in? I've read in some threads that some Pharmacy schools only look at your prepharmacy gpa. I already have a degree so I am hoping that I just have to show a trend and prove myself by doing well in some courses. If I took class after class just to get a gpa over a 3.0, it will take me years. So am I being unrealistic? Can about 1 year to 1.5 years of good grades be enough to prove myself with a great PCAT score(I have been studying;the test is on the 18th)?

 

[Kirbypuff]

Hey guys,

I have a very low gpa to improve, so I wanted to know, is it better to retake prepharmacy courses or do you retake any course you did poorly in? I've read in some threads that some Pharmacy schools only look at your prepharmacy gpa. I already have a degree so I am hoping that I just have to show a trend and prove myself by doing well in some courses. If I took class after class just to get a gpa over a 3.0, it will take me years. So am I being unrealistic? Can about 1 year to 1.5 years of good grades be enough to prove myself with a great PCAT score(I have been studying;the test is on the 18th)?

Some schools will look at your final pre-pharmacy grades, some look at your most recent grades, some look at your cumulative GPA and cumulative science+math GPA. If I were you, I would apply only to schools that focus on recent grade trends and final pre-pharmacy grades. I would retake the courses you have the worst grades in (C+ and below) so that you can kill two birds with one stone by proving that you've mastered those courses, and improving your GPA. I would also take one science course that is beyond the required prerequisites to demonstrate that you can apply what you've learned from previous courses to a new course... which is precisely what you will have to do in pharmacy school. Oh, and you MUST get A's (A- is okay too). And apply to as many schools as you can afford. Good luck!!

 

[Debster]

Great advice!!! I didn't notice that type of information on the school websites so I guess I'm going to just call them and find out what exactly they look at. I'm probably going to save my money and not apply to the schools that concentrate mainly on cumulative gpa. Unless they favor PCAT scores. I'm really confident about the test. I've taken a couple practice exams and I did pretty well. I'm confident that I will get above an 88%. I hope I'm not jinxing myself. Thanks!

 

[YiYaoYue]

How do you find out how schools look at grades?

 

[atticus27]

How do you find out how schools look at grades?

The school's website



So many students have a less than perfect start in college. With a great upward trend you should be fine. Needless to say, if you have a sub 3.0 GPA you will need a stellar PCAT. Like the girl above said, take some higher level classes if you can. Also, mention your turnaround in your P.S. and realize that if you are still struggling/slacking your probably going to eat **** if you even get into pharm school, so try and kick some ass.

One more thing, work on EC's. Not just some bake sale crap, but an experience that has real value.

 

[fhx06]

Try to go for Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, essentially the more specialized science courses.

 

[FireyDragon]

I say look at your transcript. If you got a C in any pharm prereq I would retake them. If not, do upper level bio classes: A & P, molecular bio, Biochemistry etc. Getting an A in 4 credit courses will look good.