DennisG Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I got my final grades for the semester back and got a D in calc-based Physics 1. I'm freaking out right now and trying to consider my odds of getting in a PA program at this point. This pushed my cumulative GPA down from a 3.38 to 3.25 and similarly with my science GPA. Instead of going up, my grades are declining. I know Physics isn't a pre-req at most PA programs but CASPA still factors it into its GPA calculations, so it'll bring it down considerably. What can I do at this point? I have 75 credits and need 126 for my degree, is it too late to bring it up to a 3.5? Should I retake Physics and ace the class this time? Would I have to mention/justify this grade in my personal statement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadaada Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Just make sure you do well in your remaining credits, possibly get A's and B's. I got a D grade in Calculus and still got accepted to my top choice PA school next year. All is not lost yet. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Brake Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I got a D the first time I took gen chem 1 and I think it may have helped me relate to one of my interviewers. She had a similar experience in college and had to retake a chemistry class. I retook the class and got a B+. It's not the kiss of death by any means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted December 22, 2013 Moderator Share Posted December 22, 2013 do yourself a favor. if you retake do the algebra version. no one needs to take calc based physics unless they want to do engineering. I took a yr of algebra based physics a decade ago or so when I was considering going back to medschool and really enjoyed it actually. better than any chem class I ever took. . if it's good enough for med school it is good enough for pa school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisG Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Would it look bad though? "He failed the calc based one so went ahead and took the easy way out?" Maybe I'm overthinking this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted December 22, 2013 Moderator Share Posted December 22, 2013 Would it look bad though? "He failed the calc based one so went ahead and took the easy way out?" Maybe I'm overthinking this. yup, you are. it isn't even a prereq. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchampigny Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 It likely is not as crucial as a D in bio 1 or another class that is a pre req for PA school, but as stated it isnt the best letter you want to see. Are you planning on taking physics 2? If so you could make up for that D by improving in physics 2. It has been my experience through interviews that most of them genuinely look at you as an entire person, which works well. We all have things we dont excel in. I wouldnt worry about it too much, just do your best to make the remainder of your application good! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctstone1 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 As a soph I'm fairly certain I got a D in Survey of Physics for Health Professions. Maybe it was a C. Either way, I got into PA school and you have plenty of time to improve. Don't freak out. Don't get into the habit of making sub-par grades, but this one isn't a deal breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisG Posted December 24, 2013 Author Share Posted December 24, 2013 Thanks guys. I'm going to retake the calc based one since I got a B- in the lab so I don't want to take the algebra-based one's lab as well. After that I'll take the second semester with algebra-based and make my life easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceschlorff Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 If you don't need physics for schools you are planning to apply to then I wouldn't bother retaking it...I would focus on the rest of your major classes and prerequisites.....however, from my own PA interview experiences...you have a bad grade on your transcript (even if its like a C or B-) they will definitely ask about it! So start thinking of a good answer to why you received this D in physics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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