I need cheap classes to boost GPA

[bjcheung77]

That's correct, I created a post/thread in regards to Med School because I saw this thread and thought it may help others seeking Med School.  I would focus on three main things, GPA, MCAT, exceeding minimum entry requirements.  The easiest way to boost up your GPA is to retake the failed classes or classes you have a C on from the institution you took it, that's why I asked for more info on the addendum and template. Link: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ting-Lists

Does retaking courses replace worse grades for Med schools? When I was applying for optometry schools, they looked at all grades regardless of whether they were retaken.

Basically, I would still try to replace failed grades or get a better grade for the classes at a C or lower. It's faster than taking more classes to offset your current GPA. Med School admissions working at those institutions may look at things differently than the institution you get the classes from, they may not have a policy for academic forgiveness. But should/will take into account your current overall GPA/grades.

US medical schools don't grade replace, basically. MD schools never did. DO schools used to but stopped circa 2017. You can improve your GPA and in particular your science GPA slowly by taking additional courses.

That's what I think as well, but by retaking the class, you're getting a higher average right off that bat between the repeated class. It'll be cheaper, easier, faster to do so and bump up the GPA than slowly taking extra classes to bump up the GPA. For those who have F's or C's and lower, it'll take a few classes to bump up that GPA, I suggest OP to take a look at the GPA calculator to find out how many is needed.

I am going to have to disagree with a lot of the information listed above this post, as I used to be in your shoes about 4 years ago. I graduated with my BS Chem with a 2.2 GPA (and that's 2.2 with a lot of retakes) and spent the past 8 years just clawing my GPA up to get it up to a reasonable level (above 3.0)  . I took over 150 postbacc undergrad credits and 33 credit masters bio, ALL ONLINE at a 4.0 with many courses self-paced and non-proctored.

I got an acceptance to a bunch of MS to DO bridge programs and I start the one I chose this Fall. With my resume, clinical hours, personal statement, mid MCAT, and GPA reinvention, many medical schools were "highly confident" I would get a DO spot without their MS but I'm doing one anyway to make sure I have a guaranteed spot without waiting a whole cycle to start school. 

DO schools are more forgiving to people who didn't do well in college and reinvented themselves. For a lot of schools such as DO and a few MD, online = in-person courses. After covid there was a shift and a lot of med schools started accepting online science/non science courses and BEYOND to today in 2025. Most transcripts, even mine, don't even show "online" and schools wouldn't know if it was. 

Great write up, I see clearly what your previous GPA was and how you went about bumping that up to the current level. My suggestion remains as is and is similar to how you've done things. Basically, if I was in OP's shoes, "I would focus on three main things, GPA, MCAT, exceeding minimum entry requirements." and provide "more info on the addendum and template."

[Duneranger]

I am going to have to disagree with a lot of the information listed above this post, as I used to be in your shoes about 4 years ago. I graduated with my BS Chem with a 2.2 GPA (and that's 2.2 with a lot of retakes) and spent the past 8 years just clawing my GPA up to get it up to a reasonable level (above 3.0)  . I took over 150 postbacc undergrad credits and 33 credit masters bio, ALL ONLINE at a 4.0 with many courses self-paced and non-proctored.

I got an acceptance to a bunch of MS to DO bridge programs and I start the one I chose this Fall. With my resume, clinical hours, personal statement, mid MCAT, and GPA reinvention, many medical schools were "highly confident" I would get a DO spot without their MS but I'm doing one anyway to make sure I have a guaranteed spot without waiting a whole cycle to start school. 

DO schools are more forgiving to people who didn't do well in college and reinvented themselves. For a lot of schools such as DO and a few MD, online = in-person courses. After covid there was a shift and a lot of med schools started accepting online science/non science courses and BEYOND to today in 2025. Most transcripts, even mine, don't even show "online" and schools wouldn't know if it was. 

Check out Johns Hopkins University's stance on online coures. 

You have to use the DO Explorer Tool to figure out which ones say "We don't care if its online as long as you did well" 

Not every single one accepts it online but I'm filling out a list of which ones don't show any negative bias towards online. For example, look at Kansas City University DO and open up the "admissions tab". They are one of the schools that also offered me admissions based off my online GPA. None of the schools even cared that they were self-paced. 

[b]Virtual Shadowing Options?[/b] Will accept EITHER virtual or in-person shadowing
[b]Accepts online coursework to fulfill prerequisite requirements?[/b] Yes
[b]Accepts online lab coursework?[/b] Yes

I am currently building a step by step guide and a list of all the easiest courses and how I would have done it today if I knew everyhting I know now. But for now this is a very quick guide on how I did it 

Step 1: Read the SDN Goro "How to Reinvent Yourself Post" . I have been lurking here since 2018. 


Step 2: Take as many ANY regionally accredited classes as possible. Science or non-science? Take it IF its easy and will guarantee you an A. It doesn't matter what school you take it  from as long as its regionally accredited and in the US.  Doesn't matter how many schools you get courses from either. 

If your overall GPA (every single college course you've ever taken) is below 3.0, you're going to have a tough time. Enter all your grades into an Excel sheet and figure out your OVERALL GPA with everything including retakes (the F you retook and got an A still gets factored)

DO cGPA = UG+Grad cumulative GPA (every UG and Grad credit) - DO GPA includes all grad courses 
DO sGPA = UG + Grad GPA (every science course - science courses are defined differently by DO)
DO UG sGPA = UG only science 
DO Grad GPA = Grad only GPA 

MD cGPA = UG cumulative GPA (every UG credit) 
MD sGPA = UG science only 

UG Postacc cGPA = GPA of all  your courses taken after the FIRST BA/BS 
UG Postbacc sGPA = science GPA of all courses 

I mainly focus on the DO cGPA = UG + Grad = every single regionally accredited courses as possible 

Step 3: What specific colleges/course do I recommend? 

Right, these are common tactics Ivy League schools do for their PhD programs. Come pay for the MA and we might give you a shot at a funded PhD. Most people here screech at spending a few thousand for a degree. For many, a potentially empty MS is a hard sell for just an interview.

Look we get it, you did an ultra non traditional path and you were able to backdoor into a DO school. Point is you at least HAD a degree in chem even if your GPA wasn't good. Most people here do not have hard science background. You are trying to sell a dream that is not going to come to fruition for 99% of people.

Fact is, medical schools are not dumb. They know all of these routes people choose to inflate their GPA and are catching on QUICKLY (I know people in admissions at a few programs). How is it fair that students grinded through in-person or proctored hard science classes just to get dunked on by someone taking a half-*** unproctored gimme courses online? C'mon schools and ADCOMs KNOW this.

Not saying its impossible but its pissing into the wind for the average person here.

I DO think the Upper Iowa University option is the best option here and one I have heard about a few times.

[Captainrekt000]

Right, these are common tactics Ivy League schools do for their PhD programs. Come pay for the MA and we might give you a shot at a funded PhD. Most people here screech at spending a few thousand for a degree. For many, a potentially empty MS is a hard sell for just an interview.

Look we get it, you did an ultra non traditional path and you were able to backdoor into a DO school. Point is you at least HAD a degree in chem even if your GPA wasn't good. Most people here do not have hard science background. You are trying to sell a dream that is not going to come to fruition for 99% of people.

Fact is, medical schools are not dumb. They know all of these routes people choose to inflate their GPA and are catching on QUICKLY (I know people in admissions at a few programs). How is it fair that students grinded through in-person or proctored hard science classes just to get dunked on by someone taking a half-*** unproctored gimme courses online? C'mon schools and ADCOMs KNOW this.

Not saying its impossible but its pissing into the wind for the average person here.

I DO think the Upper Iowa University option is the best option here and one I have heard about a few times.

I choose not to be like you and try to help people who want to find ONE path forward. I don't think it helps to discourage people by telling them they can't do something they want. 


How are you helping people by telling them "99%" of people cant. I remember the professors that told me to quit because "almost no one gets into medical school".

Your "look we get it" comment sound highly dismissive toward my journey and OTHER people who couldn't figure out college the first time. I want to help these people, not tear them down and discourage them like yourself. 

What alternative do you suggest for our OP here? The truth is a second degree or more in-person courses ARENT feasible for most people especially if they have a sub 3.0 GPA. Not everyone can go back to school and take all their science prereqs in person as adults working full time while married with kids and sick parents. I simply offer a way forward you seem to throw away. I am fully aware my way was a non-conventional way to do it. Probably overkill with the credits. Not feasible for MOST people. But I'm here for those who want to listen to my story and learn from it. 

Yes I did have a science bachelor's but it was irrelevant because I ended up retaking every single prereq. I used all my money. I worked as a CNA for years because they paid for a lot of my schooling. Adcoms aren't dumb you're right. They all noticed it and appreciated me for it. The fact is, no one asked me if anything was proctored or self-paced or online. 


 No medical school path is for the "average person". The "average person" doesn't want to be a doctor. My goal is to help the ones who want to achieve this goal and are willing to listen to my advice.

 You don't need a SCIENCE BA/BS that's not a requirement at ANY medical school. Plenty of people have bachelor's in non-science, then do postbaccs to get their science prereqs and move on to medical school
 

I recognized your name from a different post 

https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ode=linear

What would you have told a 23 year old me with all those C, D, and F grades at a 2.2? I would have quit because of you but I chose to ignore people like you who told me I had a dream "that won't come to fruition". The online postbacc/masters I did was the ONLY way I could've achieved my goals. I'm sorry you have the need to tear people down who want something you don't want.

---

Great write up, I see clearly what your previous GPA was and how you went about bumping that up to the current level.  My suggestion remains as is and is similar to how you've done things.  Basically, if I was in OP's shoes, "I would focus on three main things, GPA, MCAT, exceeding minimum entry requirements." and provide "more info on the addendum and template."

Thanks I appreciate it BJ. Ive been following a lot of the advice here for years to get myself to this point. I've been giving back by personally helping people on Reddit get from shitty GPA to med school ready. 

My route isn't exactly aimed towards the 18 year old starting in person college 2025 (although many elements can be used by a motivated one). It's more towards the shitty GPA older person who graduated college and its looking for ways to fix it. But also doesn't have a ton of time to go in-person courses or can afford it. The truth is a lot of online credits are far cheaper than in-person and is affordable to more people who don't get undergrad loans (BA/BS holders generally don't get funding for undergrad courses like the prereqs) 

I took the MCAT 3 times. The truth is, if you don't have a good foundataition of how to learn and do well in classes, you HIGH CHANCE won't be able to figure out the MCAT. My advice (like the advice I was given) is to get your GPA up first. Learn why you sucked as a student and get a bunch of A's under your belt. I suggest to people retake the prereqs if you got less than a B (Gen chem 1+2, gen bio 1+2, orgo 1+2, physics 1+2, biochem, Gen soc + Psych). 

For anyone who's taken the MCAT, you know first hand that you couldve killed your prereqs 4.0 and still do bad in the MCAT because its not a knowledge based tested. It purposely puts questions you WONT know and tests you on HOW to figure out the answer

So overall, fix overall GPA first, then the prereq, MCAT and exceed minimum requirements such as the 3.0 GPA and 500 MCAT autoscreen. 

Of course this guide is only for FIXING GPA. Not really focused on MCAT, getting good clinical patient experience (I had over 10000+ as an EMT/CNA during 2015-2023,), in person physician shadowing (I had 200+), virtual shadowing (I had 100+), some killer letters of rec from MD/DOs from work, great personal statement, and good interview skills

[Duneranger]

Right, these are common tactics Ivy League schools do for their PhD programs. Come pay for the MA and we might give you a shot at a funded PhD. Most people here screech at spending a few thousand for a degree. For many, a potentially empty MS is a hard sell for just an interview.

Look we get it, you did an ultra non traditional path and you were able to backdoor into a DO school. Point is you at least HAD a degree in chem even if your GPA wasn't good. Most people here do not have hard science background. You are trying to sell a dream that is not going to come to fruition for 99% of people.

Fact is, medical schools are not dumb. They know all of these routes people choose to inflate their GPA and are catching on QUICKLY (I know people in admissions at a few programs). How is it fair that students grinded through in-person or proctored hard science classes just to get dunked on by someone taking a half-*** unproctored gimme courses online? C'mon schools and ADCOMs KNOW this.

Not saying its impossible but its pissing into the wind for the average person here.

I DO think the Upper Iowa University option is the best option here and one I have heard about a few times.

I choose not to be like you and try to help people who want to find ONE path forward. I don't think it helps to discourage people by telling them they can't do something they want. 


How are you helping people by telling them "99%" of people cant. I remember the professors that told me to quit because "almost no one gets into medical school".

Your "look we get it" comment sound highly dismissive toward my journey and OTHER people who couldn't figure out college the first time. I want to help these people, not tear them down and discourage them like yourself. 

What alternative do you suggest for our OP here? The truth is a second degree or more in-person courses ARENT feasible for most people especially if they have a sub 3.0 GPA. Not everyone can go back to school and take all their science prereqs in person as adults working full time while married with kids and sick parents. I simply offer a way forward you seem to throw away. I am fully aware my way was a non-conventional way to do it. Probably overkill with the credits. Not feasible for MOST people. But I'm here for those who want to listen to my story and learn from it. 

Yes I did have a science bachelor's but it was irrelevant because I ended up retaking every single prereq. I used all my money. I worked as a CNA for years because they paid for a lot of my schooling. Adcoms aren't dumb you're right. They all noticed it and appreciated me for it. The fact is, no one asked me if anything was proctored or self-paced or online. 


 No medical school path is for the "average person". The "average person" doesn't want to be a doctor. My goal is to help the ones who want to achieve this goal and are willing to listen to my advice.

 You don't need a SCIENCE BA/BS that's not a requirement at ANY medical school. Plenty of people have bachelor's in non-science, then do postbaccs to get their science prereqs and move on to medical school
 

I recognized your name from a different post 

https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...ode=linear

What would you have told a 23 year old me with all those C, D, and F grades at a 2.2? I would have quit because of you but I chose to ignore people like you who told me I had a dream "that won't come to fruition". The online postbacc/masters I did was the ONLY way I could've achieved my goals. I'm sorry you have the need to tear people down who want something you don't want.

---

Great write up, I see clearly what your previous GPA was and how you went about bumping that up to the current level.  My suggestion remains as is and is similar to how you've done things.  Basically, if I was in OP's shoes, "I would focus on three main things, GPA, MCAT, exceeding minimum entry requirements." and provide "more info on the addendum and template."

Thanks I appreciate it BJ. Ive been following a lot of the advice here for years to get myself to this point. I've been giving back by personally helping people on Reddit get from shitty GPA to med school ready. 

My route isn't exactly aimed towards the 18 year old starting in person college 2025 (although many elements can be used by a motivated one). It's more towards the shitty GPA older person who graduated college and its looking for ways to fix it. But also doesn't have a ton of time to go in-person courses or can afford it. The truth is a lot of online credits are far cheaper than in-person and is affordable to more people who don't get undergrad loans (BA/BS holders generally don't get funding for undergrad courses like the prereqs) 

I took the MCAT 3 times. The truth is, if you don't have a good foundataition of how to learn and do well in classes, you HIGH CHANCE won't be able to figure out the MCAT. My advice (like the advice I was given) is to get your GPA up first. Learn why you sucked as a student and get a bunch of A's under your belt. I suggest to people retake the prereqs if you got less than a B (Gen chem 1+2, gen bio 1+2, orgo 1+2, physics 1+2, biochem, Gen soc + Psych). 

For anyone who's taken the MCAT, you know first hand that you couldve killed your prereqs 4.0 and still do bad in the MCAT because its not a knowledge based tested. It purposely puts questions you WONT know and tests you on HOW to figure out the answer

So overall, fix overall GPA first, then the prereq, MCAT and exceed minimum requirements such as the 3.0 GPA and 500 MCAT autoscreen. 

Of course this guide is only for FIXING GPA. Not really focused on MCAT, getting good clinical patient experience (I had over 10000+ as an EMT/CNA during 2015-2023,), in person physician shadowing (I had 200+), virtual shadowing (I had 100+), some killer letters of rec from MD/DOs from work, great personal statement, and good interview skills

I’ll ignore the snark. I’m a realist. No you don’t need a science degree but if you SUCKED at school, it sure does help show ADCOMs you can handle the rigor. I thought this was obvious.

Sounds like you figured it out. If you sucked as a student, cheap easy GPA boosters aren’t going to hide your application from getting wrecked by the pre reps and you will have 0 foundation for the MCAT. I remember the questions vividly .

This is my entire point. For OP, they are going to need solid evidence they can handle school full force because medical school is pre reqs x10.

Basically OP is going to need to punch every box to have a shot. This isn’t directed at YOUR journey, it’s directed at the OP who really didn’t mention any backstory at all. A quick post asking for cheap and easy As comes across as lazy tbh.

Killer MCAT
Amazing LORs
Research 
Post grad science classes (tons of online masters science courses like genetics or biochemistry)
Shadowing/patient care experience.

Without that, things are moot and the deck is already stacked

[Stonybeach]

If people are recommending a master's for a chance at medical school, why not apply for the master's in physician assistant studies (MPAS)? At least you have a degree with utility if you don't get accepted into a DO or MD school. I'm sure there are PA schools that accept "medical school rejects" (lower GPA/MCAT) all the time as long as you have the prerequisites! I also noticed a DO school that accepts PAs with advanced standing, but one can always apply to the full MD/DO programs. https://lecom.edu/college-of-osteopathic...ways/apap/

[bjcheung77]

Basically... If it was for me, I'd think about the PA vs the MS and which may propel them further into getting accepted into a MD/DO program. Then... There are many BSc/MD, MSc/MD or PhD/MD programs available, those are options to investigate as well. Here's an example for those who are Christian and like Liberty University, they've got the 3+1 BSc/DO program, your last year BSc is your first year DO. Link: https://www.liberty.edu/lucom/admissions...-do-degree

[Duneranger]

If people are recommending a master's for a chance at medical school, why not apply for the master's in physician assistant studies (MPAS)? At least you have a degree with utility if you don't get accepted into a DO or MD school. I'm sure there are PA schools that accept "medical school rejects" (lower GPA/MCAT) all the time as long as you have the prerequisites! I also noticed a DO school that accepts PAs with advanced standing, but one can always apply to the full MD/DO programs. https://lecom.edu/college-of-osteopathic...ways/apap/

I know a guy who did the LECOM bridge.

---

Basically... If it was for me, I'd think about the PA vs the MS and which may propel them further into getting accepted into a MD/DO program. Then... There are many BSc/MD, MSc/MD or PhD/MD programs available, those are options to investigate as well.  Here's an example for those who are Christian and like Liberty University, they've got the 3+1 BSc/DO program, your last year BSc is your first year DO. Link: https://www.liberty.edu/lucom/admissions...-do-degree

MD/PhD programs are no joke. There is a reason why they are funded by grants (i.e. free).

[ReyMysterioso]

" ASU UL - You pay $25, take the course, when you get your grade, you either pay $400 to add it to your transcript OR drop it (No W or grade) then retake it until you get an A and THEN pay the 400. Guaranteed 4.0. "

This is the way.

Low risk, high reward.

[Hotdogman1]

Step 4 - Now we have a good level of confidence taking college courses! Now for the prereqs 

Check out the ASU courses on the website and you'll find some sciences already (I dont recommend their chem courses though)

Be careful, some of them make you do an at home physical lab. I recommend labs with Labster (online video game platform). Check the syllabi of every course. 

Upper Iowa U - $350/credit - 6 months max self paced - no proctors for exams + quizzes - has EVERY SINGLE PREREQ 

APUS - $350/credit - not self paced - 8 week courses - no proctors for exams/quizzes, has a handful of upper level sciences (300-400) - SCIN course # - has many many gen ed prereqs 


I'm going to write up a proper report will each prereq and MY PERSONAL recommendation on where to take each one 

Awesome write up. I usually recommend the people I help to take the prereqs first then the rest of the credits. I understand your rational, but if you can't pass the prerequisites in person, what's the point in proceeding? There is no way a CC General Chemistry course is harder than any med school course. Also, if you mess up your science GPA, you could give up early and not pay the additional tuition money to improve the overall gpa. However, some optometry and pharmacy schools also accept online prereqs so I previously looked into it. To be transparent, I haven't taken any of these courses online and I would retake them in person if I had to.

Barton Community College has online courses available Fall 2025: https://www.bartonccc.edu/enrollment/classes
General Chem (College Chem) 1&2, Organic Chem 1&2, Biochemistry, Bio 1, A&P 1&2, Physics 1&2 and a bunch more.
Don't know which tuition rate applies here: https://bartonccc.edu/enrollment/cost
Out of state tuition: $160 per credit hour
Barton Online - $165 (regardless of state residency)

Whatever's missing, you could probably take at Portage learning. $223 per credit hour. Some med school don't accept Portage. https://portagelearning.edu/courses
Westcott Courses might also work. Transcribed at Umass Global  $~500-600 per course https://westcottcourses.com/courses/ I personally do not know anyone that has taken courses from this provider.
I have another document which included Upper Iowa U but I can't find it. It was a list of schools with self paced science prereqs and the only schools I remember that were included is Oregon State University and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

I don't know how feasible it would be, but WGU might be an option? It feels way too blatantly online for me but could technically work
Lab: Gen Bio 1, Gen Chem 1&2, Biochemistry 1, Gen physics
Not sure if they have lab: O chem 1, Physical Chem 1
https://www.wgu.edu/online-teaching-degr...ogram.html
https://www.wgu.edu/online-teaching-degr...ogram.html

Cheaper individual alternatives
General Biology with Lab
TOCC: BIO 181N 1 - Unity of Life I: Life of the Cell (available Fall 2025)
TEL: Principles of Biology I and Lab  $300 https://www.tel-education.org/product/in...y-and-lab/
UOPeople: Biology 1 for Health Studies Majors $140 https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/book/view.ph...rid=160032
UOPeople: Biology 2 for Health Studies Majors $140 https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/book/view.ph...rid=160033

General Chemistry with Lab
TOCC: CHM 151N 1 - General Chemistry I (available Fall 2025)
TEL: General Chemistry with Labs $300 https://www.tel-education.org/product/ch...1-and-lab/

Human Anatomy & Physiology
TOCC: BIO 201N 1 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 (available Fall 2025)
UoPeople: Human Anatomy & Physiology https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/book/view.ph...rid=175878

Biochemistry
UOPeople: Biochemistry $140 https://my.uopeople.edu/mod/book/view.ph...rid=389994

MicroBiology
Luna CC: BIOL2310E - Microbiology(DL) (available Fall 2025)

Physics
TEL: General Physical Science and Lab $300 https://www.tel-education.org/product/in...s-and-lab/

TOCC: https://www.tocc.edu/course-schedules $34.25 per credit hour
Luna: https://luna.edu/schedule $51 per credit hour up to 6 credit hours per semester

[Captainrekt000]

Awesome write up. I usually recommend the people I help to take the prereqs first then the rest of the credits. I understand your rational, but if you can't pass the prerequisites in person, what's the point in proceeding? There is no way a CC General Chemistry course is harder than any med school course. Also, if you mess up your science GPA, you could give up early and not pay the additional tuition money to improve the overall gpa. However, some optometry and pharmacy schools also accept online prereqs so I previously looked into it. To be transparent, I haven't taken any of these courses online and I would retake them in person if I had to.

I appreciate the critique, and I definitely see where you're coming from. However I'm speaking from my own experiences. I say the exact opposite because if you don't have the study skills and strategies to get an A in an easy introduction to communication course, you probably won't do well in general chemistry 1. 

I was one of those 18-year-olds who should have started with just the easiest non-science courses first to get a handle on how to become a student, learn how to take notes, and how to prepare for exams. 

My parents are immigrants who don't know English and didn't go to high school or college. Not using it as an excuse but students with parents from these backgrounds generally don't go to college or do well enough to graduate, let alone go to medical school.  

Those kids who flame out of gen bio and gen chem aren't always dumb kids who can't be doctors who "have no point in proceeding". Most of the time, I believe that they are students who never learned how to be effective students.

By starting out with easy courses, they get a firm and confident background in study strategies to start the significantly harder prereqs.

With your logic, "What's the point in learning how to walk if you can't run a marathon first? Just give up early and not even try."