Re-Take College Algebra and/or Chemistry Classes?

azmomof2 · Dec 10, 2008

I am not planning to repeat algebra, but I will repeat A&P. I dropped Chemistry and I am not looking forward to doing that. How long ago did you take the two classes?

Mr_Tom · Dec 10, 2008

I took them 18 years ago. WOW. Just typing that makes me feel old. =)

I am not planning to repeat algebra, but I will repeat A&P. I dropped Chemistry and I am not looking forward to doing that. How long ago did you take the two classes?

azmomof2 · Dec 10, 2008

Well, mine were 20 years ago. I feel I can't possibly be this old.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

math has not changed! so i would only refresh it! get good grade on your sciences as a&P and micro! (if you need a gpa bump up then retake them!)

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Dec 10, 2008

I think it would be helpful to take both of the classes. You may be required to re-take the chem since it has been so long.

Mr_Tom · Dec 11, 2008

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

sunray12 · Dec 11, 2008

Don't second guess admissions at whatever school(s) you're looking at. They're the ones who have the last word on whether or not your courses will transfer or not transfer. If they say your courses are acceptable then you don't have to retake them. If you choose to retake a course as a refresher even if the school tells you what you have is fine - that's your decision to make.

Mr_Tom · Dec 11, 2008

Excellent point. Thanks!

Don't second guess admissions at whatever school(s) you're looking at. They're the ones who have the last word on whether or not your courses will transfer or not transfer. If they say your courses are acceptable then you don't have to retake them. If you choose to retake a course as a refresher even if the school tells you what you have is fine - that's your decision to make.

c_white1 · Dec 11, 2008

I'm surprised that some schools would take a chemistry class from so long ago, but as someone else said, if they will, they will. The longest "shelf-life" for a pre-req I cam across when I was looking at programs was 7 years. As such, I needed to retake (or take for the first time) everything.

If you will need to take statistics at some point (required for all MSNs I know of and as a pre-req for most ABSNs) then I'd strongly suggest a refresher in algebra. But that's just me. I took some algebra classes to prep for stats and have discovered that a) I actually like math now AND can actually do it with some ease and b) the teachers and texts are FAR superior to what I had in HS and college 20+ years ago.

However, if you can get away with not retaking chemistry, go for it!!

Good luck!

liquidblue · Dec 13, 2008

I took these two classes 18 years ago as a young freshman and got C's in them both. I just wanted to get opinions on whether I should repeat them?
1) to improve the C grade.
2) to get a refresher, especially for the Math class. I don't know how much algebra type math there is in higher level Nursing classes.
Thanks for your feedback!

The nursing program that I hope to get operates on a "points" system for admission. We get more points for higher grades, and less points for lower grades. If your program operates the same way, and you can get additional points for bringing up those C grades, then I would definitely consider re-taking the algebra and chemistry. If not, then you will need to decide if you simply want to re-take those courses as a refresher, or just try to get high grades on the rest of the prerequisites.

Also, like someone else mentioned, check and see how long the chemistry you took is good for. My school has a limit of 5 years on the sciences...