retake or not?

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
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<p>I just discovered this site from a friend of mine, we both go to a competitive, top tier university & naturally are premed. For both if us, freshman year was difficult, with family situations and adjustments to university life, etc. Consequently, grades ( inorganic chemistry&one quarter of organic chemistry)...were sub-par. I received 2 C and to my knowledge, she did not do much better. Many pre-med counselors @ this university say "dont worry about it" medical schools are more forgiving your freshman year, but I think that straight c frosh year chemistry is kind of bad and I am thinking about retaking general chemistry, since I could take a general chemistry course in one quarter and not be behind for taking the MCAT ~ spring junior year. She is thinking about just taking her Cs and continuing on, because she thinks she figured out how to be successful in chemistry.If I did retake it, would med school officals see the old scores in the class? And does the c still affect my GPA. Also, should I retake it if there is a chance I would make ~ b+</p>

<p>I really want to get to medical school, because I want to be a doctor and I would hate to see chemistry stop my dream so I am asking for honest advice...I know that GPA is important to medical schools and with some good grades,my GPA can rise to ~3.6. But for the moment, my chemistry grades are hurting me big time. What to do??</p>

<p>ps- poor chemistry grades are not for a lack of trying. i literally had no social life last quarter because i studied alot but i dont think it helped. quality over quantity...</p>

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<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=196090%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=196090&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=204667%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=204667&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I must be honest: it would probably be more reassuring if your bad grades were from lack of trying. That would tell you that there were things you could do to fix it.</p>

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<p>I've read a lot on this question/issue. The general thought is: don't retake the course. If you do retake it and don't do any better - that will look really bad, and if you do make an "A" the med. school admission reps will think, "of course they made an "A" the second time around. </p>

<p>If you improve in all your other premed classes, you will still have a decent shot at being admitted to med school (because an improvement over time is a good thing). </p>

<p>Yes, your old grade will still be on the transcript, even if you retake it. </p>

<p>You might find your time (and money) better spent with a tutor to help you do better in future courses and the MCAT.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Yes, your old grade will still be on the transcript, even if you retake it.

[/quote]
This is usually the case, but I think there are some undergraduate schools that will actually erase it for you. Not sure, though.</p>

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<p>thanks all =)</p>

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<p>the C's will definately hurt ur gpa and look "bad." your councelor is partially correct in telling u not to worry. but use the C's as a spring board to work harder in all ur other classes. u have till the end of ur junior year to prove to med schools that u can get a high gpa.</p>