Retaking Organic chem 3 times! - DO school

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

dragonjinse

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
84
Reaction score
5
Hello everyone,

I'm disappointed, sad and nervous right now. I'm Junior in undergrad. I'm taking Ochem 2, Bios 2, English writing and Acct 1 (for my business minor)

This is my second time retaking Ochem 2. I got D for the first time. So I'm really focusing on this second time retaking. However, I got REALLY low grade for the first exam because I had 3 exams + 1 quiz in the week.

I just took second exam on Monday, and I didn't finish it. I know I will get a low grade also. I studied really hard for this exam. I slept for 6 hours in 3 days. I was in library most of time. I also had other 2 exams with Ochem. But still, this exam was really hard. NO ONE in my class finish it.

I'm really afraid that I don't have any chance for DO school. Because I retook for 4 classes already (not included the third time retaking ochem in the future).

I try to study harder and harder for the upper level science classes. I am a volunteer in hospital. I plan to do research next year.

Do you think that I still have a chance for DO?
What I should do next?

P.S. I won't give up! I will do everything to get into DO school.
Please give me some advices


Thank you
(English is not my first language. I'm apologized about the grammar)
 
Yes you do have a chance at DO schools. In fact, I took orgo 2 three times and I got in this cycle.
You seem to be on top of things with volunteering and research. Just keep working hard and do well on the MCAT and you will be fine.
 
It wasn't until the third time I took O-Chem I that I finally "got it". Don't worry. Sounds like English is not your first language, either. That doesn't help considering that the subject is basically learning a new language also 😀 Just keep working hard and getting those A's and B's. And learn how to study more efficiently, this 6 hours of sleep in 3 days is not healthy or smart. Do you have a job or other activities on the side that limit your time?
 
HybridTheory: Thank you so much! You make me feel better.
ManBroDude: I know 6 hours in 3 days is not smart way to do, but I had no choice. I have 2 exams and 1 quiz in the same week. So I needed to study for those classes too. I don't have a job right now, but I do volunteer in hospital every week. I will try my best to get As and Bs in the future. I'm really stressed right now because I keep thinking about my chance to become a doctor. Thank you again
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.
 
cabinbuilder: Sorry to hear that, and thank you very much for sharing your experience.
Did you get accepted right away after you graduated from under-grad? Or you were in post-bac program or you got master degree before going to med school?

Thanks
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

You deserve to be a doctor, probably more than most people.
 
cabinbuilder: Sorry to hear that, and thank you very much for sharing your experience.
Did you get accepted right away after you graduated from under-grad? Or you were in post-bac program or you got master degree before going to med school?

Thanks
Applied 1993
Ended up being homeless the summer of 1993 since my husband spent all our $$, lived in a shack on the tundra for 8 months.
I graduated undergrad with a B.S in biology1994 (7yrs total) my mom died just before
Had a child 1995
Did one year post-bacc myself, did all the pre-req's at once 97-98
Applied Jan 1999
Had 2nd child Feb 1999
Applied Sept 1999
Husband left Oct 1999
Applied June 2000, accepted for class of 2005
Divorce final Jan 2001
Life got in the way, went to post bacc at med school 2001
Graduated with class 2006



I should add that I took the MCAT 3 times too.
I figure if I did it, anyone can.
 
Last edited:
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.
Holy retakes batman (or batwoman in your case). I don't think we can argue that you should/shouldn't be a doctor as you are a licensed physician! Just have to say that your case is an interesting situation of extreme perseverance... I doubt many people would keep going back for more after not succeeding the first time.
 
Holy retakes batman (or batwoman in your case). I don't think we can argue that you should/shouldn't be a doctor as you are a licensed physician! Just have to say that your case is an interesting situation of extreme perseverance... I doubt many people would keep going back for more after not succeeding the first time.

Just goes back to how bad do you really want it? I was sick of being in poverty, never getting ahead. I had a lot of friends and physicians who were rooting for me so my support was really awesome. I did it for me, I did it for my kids.
 
Thank you very much. You deserve to be a doctor!

Thanks again, you make me feel better
 
Do you guys think that I still have a chance to get into DO school without Post-bac program or master degree?

I plan to apply in 2014.
 
Figure out what you've been doing wrong, work hard, and you should be fine. I think I took Calc I three times before passing, took another science class twice without even passing it, and had well over 10 retakes on my AACOMAS app. Oh the joys of early-adulthood immaturity.
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.
Are you serious? Look at me thinking that my chances are low-to-none with my C in biochem and B- in genetics (first attempt for both). You give me some hope now...
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

You give me so much hope. I've had to retake 2 chem classes 3x because I've been dealing with 3 jobs/family/$$ issues for the past 4 years. Of course, even mentioning it on SDN (esp Allo boards) resulted in me getting chewed out multiple times for attempting to want to be a dr. Your persistence is admirable! Thanks for giving us hope!
 
dragonjinse: I am currently taking orgo II over again right now. My problem the first time was I try and memorize everything. With organic chemistry this cannot be done. If you learn the mechanism and why/what it does (which after I realized this wasnt that hard) it will come easier. I think people have a hard time with orgo because the overthink it. I know at least that was my problem. So far so good for me this time around. Good luck to you 🙂
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

Applied 1993
Ended up being homeless the summer of 1993 since my husband spent all our $$, lived in a shack on the tundra for 8 months.
I graduated undergrad with a B.S in biology1994 (7yrs total) my mom died just before
Had a child 1995
Did one year post-bacc myself, did all the pre-req's at once 97-98
Applied Jan 1999
Had 2nd child 1999
Applied Sept 1999
Husband left Oct 1999
Applied June 2000, accepted for class of 2005
Divorce final Jan 2001
Life got in the way, went to post bacc at med school 2001
Graduate with class 2006


I should add that I took the MCAT 3 times too.
I figure if I did it, anyone can.

I love you.
 
You give me so much hope. I've had to retake 2 chem classes 3x because I've been dealing with 3 jobs/family/$$ issues for the past 4 years. Of course, even mentioning it on SDN (esp Allo boards) resulted in me getting chewed out multiple times for attempting to want to be a dr. Your persistence is admirable! Thanks for giving us hope!

Don't listed to the guys on the pre-allo forum most of them are pretentious kids that think they are geniuses. The hype that those specific premeds place on grades and the way some of them put others down is absolutely disgusting.
 
Are you serious? Look at me thinking that my chances are low-to-none with my C in biochem and B- in genetics (first attempt for both). You give me some hope now...

Yes, I am serious. I have no reason to lie. My life has been a rollercoaster to say the least. I had a lot of people who believed I could do it and until I believed it myself, my own doubt got in the way. It has always been my goal to be inspiring to those who think getting into medical school is nearly impossible. I felt that way too. It's a gamble, yes, but if you show that you can be successful after a lot of failure, it is entirely possible.

So, I retook all of my pre-req's while I was in undergrad a total of three times each, there are more than the four classes I listed that I took over. I finally got sick of battling my GPA that could not be changed and just decided to graduate and take a break. When I went back 3 years later, I was fresh, I was determined, I had a great study partner, I had a schedule and I did much better and the classes were much easier.
 
Last edited:
You give me so much hope. I've had to retake 2 chem classes 3x because I've been dealing with 3 jobs/family/$$ issues for the past 4 years. Of course, even mentioning it on SDN (esp Allo boards) resulted in me getting chewed out multiple times for attempting to want to be a dr. Your persistence is admirable! Thanks for giving us hope!

Forget the allopathic group. A cut throat gang who thinks that if you have any faults at all, you don't deserve to be a doctor. That's why I love the DO gang so much, we all have a struggle, we all have a story, and we all have persevered and come together for the greater good and take care of the patients who get thrown aside by doctors more worried about their pocketbook than taking care of humanity. DO's take care of those patients no one else will. I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY CHOICE. LECOM chose me and I will be forever grateful for them educating me and giving me the life I always wanted.
 
I agree with you ..
OP I can say don't be nervous because things happen in life ,just do fine in other science classes retake bad grades and also study really hard on MCAT then you should be fine
I know someone a friend who he took physics 3times and he is attending medical school right now (do md) doesn't matter if u wanna help ppl be a doctor who cares what initials do u have md do ku Ty lp ft lol :/
Gluck I'm sure u will be fine 🙂
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

Applied 1993
Ended up being homeless the summer of 1993 since my husband spent all our $$, lived in a shack on the tundra for 8 months.
I graduated undergrad with a B.S in biology1994 (7yrs total) my mom died just before
Had a child 1995
Did one year post-bacc myself, did all the pre-req's at once 97-98
Applied Jan 1999
Had 2nd child 1999
Applied Sept 1999
Husband left Oct 1999
Applied June 2000, accepted for class of 2005
Divorce final Jan 2001
Life got in the way, went to post bacc at med school 2001
Graduate with class 2006

I should add that I took the MCAT 3 times too.
I figure if I did it, anyone can.

Wow😱. With all your persistence, I am positive that you're an amazing doctor now. The end result is always worth all the struggles on the path to that goal. 👍
 
You give me so much hope. I've had to retake 2 chem classes 3x because I've been dealing with 3 jobs/family/$$ issues for the past 4 years. Of course, even mentioning it on SDN (esp Allo boards) resulted in me getting chewed out multiple times for attempting to want to be a dr. Your persistence is admirable! Thanks for giving us hope!

You're still awesome, and will eventually be an even more awesome doctor.
 
Forget the allopathic group. A cut throat gang who thinks that if you have any faults at all, you don't deserve to be a doctor. That's why I love the DO gang so much, we all have a struggle, we all have a story, and we all have persevered and come together for the greater good and take care of the patients who get thrown aside by doctors more worried about their pocketbook than taking care of humanity. DO's take care of those patients no one else will. I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY CHOICE. LECOM chose me and I will be forever grateful for them educating me and giving me the life I always wanted.

First off, that comment about the "DO gang" here on SDN could not have been more true! Very well said, and I definitely agree with it...

Secondly, I hope your ex-husband is eating his heart out. Your clearly an amazing and very strong person. Hearing success stories from people like you keeps my faith in the world from dying out. Incredible! 👍 :bow: :claps:
 
Forget the allopathic group. A cut throat gang who thinks that if you have any faults at all, you don't deserve to be a doctor. That's why I love the DO gang so much, we all have a struggle, we all have a story, and we all have persevered and come together for the greater good and take care of the patients who get thrown aside by doctors more worried about their pocketbook than taking care of humanity. DO's take care of those patients no one else will. I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY CHOICE. LECOM chose me and I will be forever grateful for them educating me and giving me the life I always wanted.

Couldn't agree more! Thanks for the inspiration, you are a truly remarkable human being, and I am sure an extremely kick-butt doctor. :claps:
 
First off, that comment about the "DO gang" here on SDN could not have been more true! Very well said, and I definitely agree with it...

Secondly, I hope your ex-husband is eating his heart out. Your clearly an amazing and very strong person. Hearing success stories from people like you keeps my faith in the world from dying out. Incredible! 👍 :bow: :claps:

Lets just say that my ex-husband got what he deserved. A bitchy wife who he wanted (had the affair while still married to me). He still lives paycheck to paycheck and I make way over 6 figures. Sucks to be him for sure.😀

I will have to add that while I am personally strong, I do have a husband who has been with me for the last 12 years who has done all the child rearing, shuttling, laundry, dishes, and even learned to cook so I get to do what I do. Without him, it would have been so much harder.
 
Last edited:
Applied 1993
Ended up being homeless the summer of 1993 since my husband spent all our $$, lived in a shack on the tundra for 8 months.
I graduated undergrad with a B.S in biology1994 (7yrs total) my mom died just before
Had a child 1995
Did one year post-bacc myself, did all the pre-req's at once 97-98
Applied Jan 1999
Had 2nd child 1999
Applied Sept 1999
Husband left Oct 1999
Applied June 2000, accepted for class of 2005
Divorce final Jan 2001
Life got in the way, went to post bacc at med school 2001
Graduate with class 2006

I should add that I took the MCAT 3 times too.
I figure if I did it, anyone can.

Kudos. You're a breath of fresh air in a sea of arrogant whining self-entitled premeds who go through the motions in their volunteering and shadowing for their apps without an iota of true empathy or humanity.
 
Kudos. You're a breath of fresh air in a sea of arrogant whining self-entitled premeds who go through the motions in their volunteering and shadowing for their apps without an iota of true empathy or humanity.

I totally hear you. Most of these students trying to be doctors need to get out in the world, travel, live, and work a little bit to get a clue about other people's struggles instead of expecting "daddy" to fork over the cash and get their degree handed to them.

Anyone out there should read the book "How Starbucks Saved my Life" here is a guy who had his life handed to him but never really lived in reality since he was handed the high society corporate business world right after his Ivy league graduation. It wasn't until he was forced to get a "real" job that his eyes opened to the struggles of the working poor and the folks who really run this country.
 
Lets just say that my ex-husband got what he deserved. A bitchy wife who he wanted (had the affair while still married to me). He still lives paycheck to paycheck and I make way over 6 figures. Sucks to be him for sure.😀

I will have to add that while I am personally strong, I do have a husband who has been with me for the last 12 years who has done all the child rearing, shuttling, laundry, dishes, and even learned to cook so I get to do what I do. Without him, it would have been so much harder.

Goes to show you, never ever settle. There's always someone out there that will make you happy, it's all about finding them. Whether that journey will be easy is going to depend on the person.... clearly :laugh:
 
@cabinbuilder: Your compassion and attitude is truly inspiring. It's people like you who really make me excited to become a D.O.
 
@cabinbuilder: Your compassion and attitude is truly inspiring. It's people like you who really make me excited to become a D.O.

Thank you, I'm probably the most grateful doctor out there. So happy to have made it and get to live my dream every day.

Oh, and I have time to type so much right now cuz I'm on a very low volume travelling rent-a-doctor (locums) gig that has a lot of down time.
 
Dragon, Yes you have a chance. Despite taking classes multiple times remember the AACOMAS gives you a chance to show improvement in grades and even replaces your grade (the school will see a class' particular grades but they will see your improvement).

The D.O. schools are very, very good at considering you as a person (research experience, clinical experience, etc) and not just your grades (which for our colleagues remaining hell-bent on the AMCAS they don't get this consideration as much from the allopathic route).

I personally have seen a friend get into one of the top D.O. programs in the nation, run into multiple problems in Med School (retaking first year, facing academic suspension, COMLEX issues, etc) and he is getting ready to attend one of the top Residency programs in Family Practice after graduating.

So, I will mention this quote from a professor that I respect dearly "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, You're Right." The application process is about withstanding the forces that be, making yourself stand out as an applicant, and not getting too narrow minded on just one school (apply early and apply broadly which you will see multiple times here on SDN).
 
Applied 1993
Ended up being homeless the summer of 1993 since my husband spent all our $$, lived in a shack on the tundra for 8 months.
I graduated undergrad with a B.S in biology1994 (7yrs total) my mom died just before
Had a child 1995
Did one year post-bacc myself, did all the pre-req's at once 97-98
Applied Jan 1999
Had 2nd child 1999
Applied Sept 1999
Husband left Oct 1999
Applied June 2000, accepted for class of 2005
Divorce final Jan 2001
Life got in the way, went to post bacc at med school 2001
Graduate with class 2006


I should add that I took the MCAT 3 times too.
I figure if I did it, anyone can.

I'm a little late on this thread... but holy freakin' moly; you are the definition of determination. Your ex-husband left the same year your 2nd child was born??? Really...? What a pathetic individual he is... fortunately the "trash" was taken out before you started making your 6 figures. That's one heck of a story you got there, cabin. 😉 Kudos on your success. You're history has probably made you one of the most genuine, empathetic doctors ever... and I'm sure all your future patients will appreciate you for this!

Anyway, I like where this thread has gone... so I shall avoid teh pokemanz.
 
I'm a little late on this thread... but holy freakin' moly; you are the definition of determination. Your ex-husband left the same year your 2nd child was born??? Really...? What a pathetic individual he is... fortunately the "trash" was taken out before you started making your 6 figures. That's one heck of a story you got there, cabin. 😉 Kudos on your success. You're history has probably made you one of the most genuine, empathetic doctors ever... and I'm sure all your future patients will appreciate you for this!

Anyway, I like where this thread has gone... so I shall avoid teh pokemanz.

Yes, really, he left when my daughter was 6 months old and my son was 3. He was having an affair with a chick at work and would disappear for days staying at her house. Yes, he is pathetic and he just turned 50 with no future, is crippled, and no retirement savings hating his life every day. Oh, well, sucks to be him. Thanks for the nice comments.

I went into medicine because I knew I could do it well, I didn't want to be in poverty anymore, and I wanted my kids to not have to struggle as I did being raised by a single mom. I will always have a job no matter what but it took 15 years to get to this point. Graduated residency at age 40. My "baby" turns 13 tomorrow, my son is now 16.
 
Last edited:
Please don't post the same thread in multiple forums. Others wishing to answer the OP's question may do so here: forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=12159396
 
I totally hear you. Most of these students trying to be doctors need to get out in the world, travel, live, and work a little bit to get a clue about other people's struggles instead of expecting "daddy" to fork over the cash and get their degree handed to them.

Anyone out there should read the book "How Starbucks Saved my Life" here is a guy who had his life handed to him but never really lived in reality since he was handed the high society corporate business world right after his Ivy league graduation. It wasn't until he was forced to get a "real" job that his eyes opened to the struggles of the working poor and the folks who really run this country.

That is GREAT book, is an excellent read for a fresh perspective in humility.

I'm 26 (did not start school until I was 23) and I'm consistently at odds with the system that I see - I'm surrounded with 18-19 year olds at campus, the party scene, little or no clue of the value of a dollar and cost of education.
So glad I spent 4 years working in Africa and pulling a job since I was 14 and all through school. I don't care if I don't get into med school til I'm 29. If you don't have some struggles and troubles along the way, I doubt you'll ever fully appreciate what you have.
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

Wow... Did you talk about these things in your personal statement?
 
Wow... Did you talk about these things in your personal statement?

No, didn't see the point. I talked in general about the journey and the struggle. About how I'm not a quitter in the face of a adversity, etc. I have much more interesting things to talk about.
 
Hello everyone,

I'm disappointed, sad and nervous right now. I'm Junior in undergrad. I'm taking Ochem 2, Bios 2, English writing and Acct 1 (for my business minor)

This is my second time retaking Ochem 2. I got D for the first time. So I'm really focusing on this second time retaking. However, I got REALLY low grade for the first exam because I had 3 exams + 1 quiz in the week.

I just took second exam on Monday, and I didn't finish it. I know I will get a low grade also. I studied really hard for this exam. I slept for 6 hours in 3 days. I was in library most of time. I also had other 2 exams with Ochem. But still, this exam was really hard. NO ONE in my class finish it.

I'm really afraid that I don't have any chance for DO school. Because I retook for 4 classes already (not included the third time retaking ochem in the future).

I try to study harder and harder for the upper level science classes. I am a volunteer in hospital. I plan to do research next year.

Do you think that I still have a chance for DO?
What I should do next?

P.S. I won't give up! I will do everything to get into DO school.
Please give me some advices


Thank you
(English is not my first language. I'm apologized about the grammar)

....
 
Last edited:
I don't mean to hijack the thread but I was just curious will ACCOMAS have the final re-take caluclated into your GPA of the three/four times you re-take a class?

Say the OP got an A the fourth time they took Ochem, will the previous three attempts be wiped out?
 
I don't mean to hijack the thread but I was just curious will ACCOMAS have the final re-take caluclated into your GPA of the three/four times you re-take a class?

Say the OP got an A the fourth time they took Ochem, will the previous three attempts be wiped out?

All attempts will be listed and will be seen by adcoms but only the final grade is calculated into the GPA.

So all those classes I took over. The first three times was during undergrad and I did attempts back to back. The 4th time was 3-5 years after that where I had taken a break from it all and then dove back in. I did much better that final time and was able to show that I could bounce back from all those failures, had my head in the game and did really well. The final grades are what was used to calculate my pre-req GPA.
 
I took Orgo I 4 times
I took Orgo II 4 times
I took Physics 4 times.
I took Biochem 4 times.

Sometimes things just don't click until you relax about it. Before the naysayers start bitching me about how I don't deserve to be a doctor. blah, blah, blah. I will just say in my undergrad I had lots of personal issues, parents attempting suicide, abusive husband, working two jobs, etc. There always seemed to be some tragedy happening during these classes. It wasn't until the drama was gone that I was able to focus and do well.

I don't think anyone could ever fault you for a lack of persistence. That's pretty admirable.
 
Top