Apply first or take remedial courses first?

Graduate School
1

<p>So the tl;dr version is: Apply for graduate school first then take remedial courses or take the remedial courses first and then apply to schools?</p>

<p>Fortunately my job of now 3 years, which is in the field I want to study, environmental engineering, will pay for graduate courses and I’d be able to do research at work. However, one of my bachelors is in environmental science which did not require me to take extensive math, physics or chemistry courses. The programs I look at require these as pre-reqs for their courses. I’ve heard varying opinions about what to do about this. One being to take those courses now to not only show I’m dedicated and have the background for the program but to boost my GPA as well. The other says apply now and then take those courses. I have great professional references from PhDs in this field but I am afraid my lack of these courses will make it hard to be admitted into a program.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>It depends on the level at which the remedial courses are to be taken. If it is at the Sophomore or Junior undergraduate level then you might be able to take them more easily at a community college with your work schedule. If they are advanced undergraduate courses, they sometimes can be counted in your graduate program (on a limited basis). My suggestion is to find the graduate program you are interested in and then ask the department what they suggest.</p>