Would schools discriminate about re-taking classes?

[canuckdent]

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I've been wondering what the better plan would be for me...I have low grades in a few first year science classes (pre-reqs, B's mostly, a C or two) but I can finish school with around a 3.5 cGPA. Would an admissions committee look down upon me going back another year, retaking those first few classes (which would make my gpa shoot up pretty quick seeing as my last 2 years have been solid) or would it be a better route to do a masters?

 

[Sonny881994]

As far as i know pretty much all school look down on retaking classes cause that shows that you were not serious about studying or didn't have ability to take on heavy science class. I think it would be a MUCH better route to do a master.

 

[canuckdent]

As far as i know pretty much all school look down on retaking classes cause that shows that you were not serious about studying or didn't have ability to take on heavy science class. I think it would be a MUCH better route to do a master.

Thanks for the info. If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free to do so.

 

[Kahr]

I've been wondering what the better plan would be for me...I have low grades in a few first year science classes (pre-reqs, B's mostly, a C or two) but I can finish school with around a 3.5 cGPA. Would an admissions committee look down upon me going back another year, retaking those first few classes (which would make my gpa shoot up pretty quick seeing as my last 2 years have been solid) or would it be a better route to do a masters?

No, I doubt any adcom would look down on you re-taking a class, especially if you showed 1-2 letter grade improvement. However, you need to know that they will still be factoring both grades (old and new) into your calculated GPAs when you apply.

I'm not sure you'd need to do a masters with a 3.5 in hand, and with some improved grades, you might just consider doing some upper level sciences along with the retakes (though honestly I wouldn't retake a class with a "B" grade). If your DAT is solid, that would also be a factor to consider, because that might negate the need to do a masters as well. I'm sure there are a lot of opinions on the "masters vs post-bac" coursework, while you may not get them all here in your thread, you might try searching through the forum.

 

[canuckdent]

No, I doubt any adcom would look down on you re-taking a class, especially if you showed 1-2 letter grade improvement. However, you need to know that they will still be factoring both grades (old and new) into your calculated GPAs when you apply.

I'm not sure you'd need to do a masters with a 3.5 in hand, and with some improved grades, you might just consider doing some upper level sciences along with the retakes (though honestly I wouldn't retake a class with a "B" grade). If your DAT is solid, that would also be a factor to consider, because that might negate the need to do a masters as well. I'm sure there are a lot of opinions on the "masters vs post-bac" coursework, while you may not get them all here in your thread, you might try searching through the forum.

Hmm I see...well the main limitation I'm facing is that I'm Canadian, and I'm aware that I'll NEED some pretty decent stats to be considered....I haven't written the DAT yet (won't be able to this summer) but I'm well aware I'm going to need 21+, which I honestly can achieve. I have very good EC's and will have LOR's with around 200 hours of shadowing.

I'm just worried about being an international applicant without stellar stats 🙁 That's why I was thinking a master's is the way to go...We will see come next year I suppose.

 

[Barking Lamb]

I always preface with, call the schools you are interested in and ask them directly.

But I digress, adcoms have told me they prefer individuals raise their GPA via upper level classes rather than re-taking lower level classes.

Will colleges discriminate? An interesting word choice. Do you mean will they consider you equal with someone who received an 'A' the first time they took a class? No, they probably would not consider you equal. But, call the schools and ask for advice on your situation!

 

[Kahr]

Hmm I see...well the main limitation I'm facing is that I'm Canadian, and I'm aware that I'll NEED some pretty decent stats to be considered....I haven't written the DAT yet (won't be able to this summer) but I'm well aware I'm going to need 21+, which I honestly can achieve. I have very good EC's and will have LOR's with around 200 hours of shadowing.

I'm just worried about being an international applicant without stellar stats 🙁 That's why I was thinking a master's is the way to go...We will see come next year I suppose.

Best of luck with that 21+ (I sure missed it, damned QR! 😡)

You seriously may just need to take a bunch of upper level science courses (as in, looking to see which courses are recommended at the schools you're interested in, and knocking those out). Though I suppose if you can do it in time, the masters with an excellent GPA could be impressive, may also depend on what your masters is in.

(The below advice is good, I think before you make any decisions, following it could make all the difference in what you think would be a better use of your time and efforts):

I always preface with, call the schools you are interested in and ask them directly.

But I digress, adcoms have told me they prefer individuals raise their GPA via upper level classes rather than re-taking lower level classes.

Will colleges discriminate? An interesting word choice. Do you mean will they consider you equal with someone who received an 'A' the first time they took a class? No, they probably would not consider you equal. But, call the schools and ask for advice on your situation!

👍

 

[dantemac]

I would not re-take unless you think that area of study is a total black hole of knowledge for your DAT preperation. A 3.5 GPA is nothing to scoff at and the adcoms can forgive a few B's and C's...they did in my case 🙂

 

[canuckdent]

I always preface with, call the schools you are interested in and ask them directly.

But I digress, adcoms have told me they prefer individuals raise their GPA via upper level classes rather than re-taking lower level classes.

Will colleges discriminate? An interesting word choice. Do you mean will they consider you equal with someone who received an 'A' the first time they took a class? No, they probably would not consider you equal. But, call the schools and ask for advice on your situation!

This was some great info, thanks alot! I've got some phone calls to make lol 😎

Best of luck with that 21+ (I sure missed it, damned QR! 😡)

You seriously may just need to take a bunch of upper level science courses (as in, looking to see which courses are recommended at the schools you're interested in, and knocking those out). Though I suppose if you can do it in time, the masters with an excellent GPA could be impressive, may also depend on what your masters is in.

(The below advice is good, I think before you make any decisions, following it could make all the difference in what you think would be a better use of your time and efforts):


👍

I plan on taking 2-3 months studying for the DAT, I want to knock it outta the park. I'll keep what you said in mind though!

I would not re-take unless you think that area of study is a total black hole of knowledge for your DAT preperation. A 3.5 GPA is nothing to scoff at and the adcoms can forgive a few B's and C's...they did in my case 🙂

Haha that's a reassuring thing to hear! It's not that I didn't know the material in some of my classes, I had some personal issues going on at the time, combined with "freshman immaturity" (aka girls and booze lol) That combined to give me less than stellar scores. I've been working damn hard to raise my marks though, I'm hoping that trend will impress the adcoms.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ADVICE!! This website is just great. 👍

 

[dantemac]

Yeah, an upward trend will suit you fine. No reason to retake!

 

[WastedTime]

Yeah, an upward trend will suit you fine. No reason to retake!

what do you think qualifies as an upward trend? like how many semesters or classes would it take for adcoms to see it as an upward trend?

 

[dentalprodigy]

Pretty much all

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[doc toothache]

What ds would not be impressed by an applicant who spends a year rehashing the same material instead of venturing into more advanced/upper level courses.

 

[canuckdent]

What ds would not be impressed by an applicant who spends a year rehashing the same material instead of venturing into more advanced/upper level courses.

Yeah this makes sense. My plan (for now) is to probably do some upper level sciences in the gap year, if I don't hear anything from next cycles application. I am retaking 2 classes this summer though, want to upgrade from a C at least...hopefully that wont be looked down upon?