How to Take Extra Classes to Raise a College GPA

A low GPA is a serious obstacle for anyone wishing to continue her education in graduate, law or medical school. A low GPA is also problematic when the time comes to begin a professional career. A student's GPA is an average based on the student's total number of courses. One bad semester -- excessive partying, a lack of discipline and commitment, personal or family troubles -- can easily result in low grades. One way of improving a GPA is to take extra coursework. This may involve repeating certain classes as well as carrying a bigger load of courses overall.

Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule a meeting with the chairperson of your department and arrange another meeting with your academic adviser. Go into detail about the desire to raise your GPA. Outline the academic plans and goals for the future, such as gaining admittance to a master's or doctoral program. Ask for advice about what additional courses you should will both raise your GPA and give you academic credibility.

    • 2

      Take an extra course each semester. Your GPA is calculated by averaging the grades received from the total number of courses. The average load for a college student is 15 hours, and college degrees require a certain number of hours to complete the degree. Taking extra courses and exceeding the minimal number of hours for the degree provides the opportunity to increase your GPA. It is important to follow the advice of your academic adviser and chairperson. Taking lightweight courses to increase your GPA may backfire. Graduate schools consider the types and quality of courses over the quantity of courses.

    • 3

      Repeat courses which you have received a low degree in. Some colleges and universities permit students to retake a class and then substitute the new grade for the old one. The specific details vary from one university to another and sometimes from one department to another within the same university. Find out the policies concerning which courses may be repeated and retake the ones that will help improve your GPA.

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