Retaking a class for PA school?
CASPA counts both grades. When you retake a class, CASPA averages every attempt into its GPA; the new grade doesn't replace the old one. Some programs then do their own math for prerequisites: UNC Chapel Hill uses the higher grade in its prerequisite GPA, and Saint Elizabeth uses the most recent one.
How CASPA handles your grades
- Retakes: every attempt counts in CASPA's GPA.
- Withdrawals: a WF counts as an F. A plain W has no grade value on CASPA's grade chart, so it doesn't add to your GPA; confirm with CASPA if a W matters to your plan.
- Pass/fail and AP credit: count as credits with no grade, so they don't change your CASPA GPA.
How some programs treat retakes
| Program | What its page says |
|---|---|
| UNC Chapel Hill Jan 2027 entry cycle | Uses the higher of two grades for its prerequisite GPA, but every attempt counts in your overall GPA |
| Saint Elizabeth page checked Oct 2026 | Uses your most recent grade in the prerequisite GPA; one retake per course |
| Michigan State page checked Oct 2026 | Accepts up to two repeated prerequisites, with none repeated more than once |
| St. John's July 2026 FAQ | Gives preference to applicants who repeated no more than one prerequisite, once, to reach a C; every attempt still counts in its GPAs |
| Pacific page checked Oct 2026 | Uses the GPA CASPA calculated and won't recalculate it |
Examples, not a ranking. Rules can change from one cycle to the next, so check each program's own page.
The math on raising a GPA
Because every grade stays in, a GPA moves slowly once you have a lot of credits. With 60 credits at a 3.0, it takes about 26 more credits of straight A's to reach a 3.3. With 120 credits at a 3.0, it takes about 52.
Before you retake a class
- Check how each program on your list treats repeats: higher grade, most recent grade, or CASPA's average.
- Check for repeat limits, like Michigan State's two-course limit.
- Think about a W before the deadline if you're failing. A WF counts as an F; a plain W has no grade value on CASPA's grade chart.
Related guides
Free: the Patient Care Hours Starter Kit. A 3-step check for whether a job counts at your schools, CASPA's categories on one page, and a simple hours log. Built from the same program pages as this guide.
Get the free kit →Quick answers
Does CASPA replace a grade when you retake a class?
No. CASPA averages every attempt into its GPA. Some programs recalculate their prerequisite GPA: UNC Chapel Hill uses the higher grade and Saint Elizabeth uses the most recent grade.
Does a W hurt your PA school GPA?
A WF counts as an F in CASPA's GPA. CASPA's grade chart gives a plain W no grade value, so check with CASPA before you count on it.
Sources (all opened October 2026)
- CASPA Applicant Help Center: How your GPA is calculated: https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Submitting_and_Monitoring_Your_CASPA_Application/Verification_and_GPA_Calculations_for_CASPA/2_How_Your_GPA_is_Calculated
- CASPA Applicant Help Center: Grade value charts: https://help.liaisonedu.com/CASPA_Applicant_Help_Center/Submitting_and_Monitoring_Your_CASPA_Application/Verification_and_GPA_Calculations_for_CASPA/CASPA_Grade_Value_Charts
- UNC Chapel Hill PA Program: FAQ: https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/unc-pa/admissions/frequently-asked-questions
- Saint Elizabeth University PA Program: Admission requirements: https://www.steu.edu/academics/aas/physician-assistant/admission-requirements.html
- Michigan State University PA Program: FAQs: https://pa.com.msu.edu/future-students/faqs
- St. John's University PA Program: Admissions FAQs (July 2026): https://www.stjohns.edu/sites/default/files/2026-07/Admissions%20FAQs.pdf
- University of the Pacific PA Program: FAQ: https://www.pacific.edu/healthsciences/programs/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/physician-assistant-program-faq