Should I retake?

[StrawPipes]

I currently have a 3.3 science GPA and a 3.2 overall. I'm a pre-med major but I'm also doing a Clinical Lab Science major because many of those classes correspond to the MCAT and will be a benefit overall. I also want to try to get into Pharmacy school if I cant get into Med School.

I have a C in Anatomy and Physiology 2, and a C+ in Pharmacology. The reason for this is that I was very depressed at the time and etc etc. I know now that if I retake either I will for sure get an A (sounds egotistical i know, but it's the truth)

So my question is. Would it be wise to retake either of the two? I will hopefully have an upward trend in grades over these next 2 years and I'm hoping to have my final science GPA as a 3.6. I read on studentdoctor.net people say don't retake classes but for some reason I feel that if I would I would have a better chance. Especially Pharmacology, which I know I could have done better..

So ya. Opinions?

 

[wizekrak]

How much of an increase in your GPA would scoring an A in those two courses make? If its an appreciable difference then go for it so long as your other courses don't decrease and you can still maintain your extracuriculars.

 

[StrawPipes]

Well I'm not quite sure. Maybe increase .5 - 1 point; not the first integer.

Lol, so like say i ended with a 3.5 and I would retake those classes and Ace them, I would probably end up with like a 3.6 or 3.65. I think anyways? =\ I'm not very good at Math and I never understood how they figure out your GPA when the three credit classes and four credit classes are collaborated together?

 

[wizekrak]

If it will give you a 0.1 increase in GPA then definitely do it. As I understand it GPA plays a much larger factor in the US than it does up here. Also start studying for the MCAT as soon as possible. See if you can find a set of used Kaplan books, and I highly recommend the NOVA physics, I suck at physics and it really saved my ass on the physical sciences section. But the sooner you are at least comfortable with all the concepts that you might see on the exam the better. I think if you can score an 11 composite, pull a 3.65 GPA and have solid EC's then you should be ok. Also take a look at the websites of the schools you are thinking of applying to, they usually have a file with the class stat breakdowns for accepted students, the median GPA and MCAT scores listed there will give you an idea of what numbers you should shoot for.

 

[StrawPipes]

Yeah, I found a 3-month study program on studentdoctor.net .. That site is filled with nothing but pre-med and medical students, residents, and attendings. Anyways, people that followed that MCAt study guide received 35 and even higher on some of them. It's a 3-month program and the guy who made the study guide breaks it down into what to study each day, how long to study it and shit like that.

I also have shadowing experience with numerous doctors of all different specialties. I will have volunteer services as well as being a member of support groups for Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke victims, breast cancer patients, etc.

Then I'm trying to get a job as a Physical Therapy aide. If I can't get a job doing that by June, I'm going to take the CNA course and just be a CNA. So basically all that stuff mentioned above along with a 3.5 gpa and a decent MCAt score of 33 or higher should hopefully get me in.

The higher my MCAT scorer the better chance I'll have cause I really don't think I'll be able to raise my gpa any higher than a 3.6 in science classes. So I need to get a good MCAT.

I plan on taking the MCAt either next summer or the following. I still have 2.5 years left to get my Bachelor degree so I think I might wait till summer of 2011 to take the MCAT; this way I'll finish with my Bachelor in Clinical Lab Science and can start reviewing for the MCAT