<p>I am graduating this spring and want to apply to geology grad school next fall but I didn't do that well in general chemistry, physics, or differential equation. I did extremely well in all my other classes and all my upper level geology classes. </p>
<p>Should I retake general chemistry, physics, and differential equations during my year off like at another school. Will it count towards my grad school application. Will they accept it? I want them to know I can do well in these classes I just couldn't at the time because of the professors teaching styles.</p>
<p>You need to give us more information. What is your overall GPA and what is your GPA for the last two years? How about your GRE scores? If your grades in later courses are good, there is no need to retake elementary courses.</p>
@xraymancs I haven’t taken the GRE yet. I have overall 3.15 GPA and a 3.05 science gpa. The last two years were I had a 2.5 and a 3.76. I took chem and physics the second to last year which is why my gpa is low.
I see. I would think that your upper level geology courses depend somewhat on the chemistry and physics at the very least. The fact that you did well in those courses should outweigh the poor grades in the fundamental courses but if you feel that you are not in command of the material, then take them again at a community college. It is not clear how the graduate programs will account for these additional courses but they will take them into consideration.
I suspect that you have a reasonable shot at getting into a graduate program even if you do not re-take these courses. Just make sure that your letter or recommendation writers emphasize your performance in the upper division geology courses.
@xraymancs thank you for your words. I also want to point out that I go to a top 20 university (Vanderbilt). And the academics are extremely hard, but I’ve got a lot of good faculty connections. My professors know how hard I work and I know I’ll get good recommendation letters. I also have research experience.
I also plan on working really hard on the GRE and scoring high.
The only thing I have working against me are those classes that I did bad in. I just got unlucky.
I don’t really know how understanding grad schools are about things like this? What do you think?
If you and your letter writers make the case that your grades in the upper division geology courses are more indicative of your ability, you should be able to get into a Ph.D. program. Unfortunately, I think that the overall GPA may eliminate you in the early stages at the most selective programs unless your letter writers can make some personal connections for you. Those programs have so many applicants that they need to triage based on overall GPA and GRE scores. It is not the best way but it is A way.