A bad situation...

[scota]

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During the last semester at community college, I took Bio, Gen Chem and Calculus. The chem professor was SO terrible that- I was given a "C" in the course. I did well in the other courses. I have yet to take the rest of my pre-meds, as I am not a science major. After getting my bachelor's, I plan on attending a post-bac program where I will complete all the reqs, biochem, cell bio, and genetics. The point is: should I retake gen chem at a university? What will adcoms feel about that? What, if any, are acceptable reasons for my having screwed up?! Thanks...

 

[shadow]

One C won't keep you out of med school. I don't think it will matter at all, especially if you do well in future science courses. I would be more concerned about whether you actually learned the material. If not, you might want to retake the course so you'll have a good chem foundation for future courses.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

First off, congrats on doing well in bio and calc. That's a rough semester and it's good that you did well in 2 out of your 3. As for gen chem, I wouldn't retake. You still have another semester of it, right and even if you don't you still have ochem. I got 2 C+s in gen chem and never retook them. The key is to figure out why you did poorly and then not let it happen again. Adcom's don't mind a few bad grades but don't make a habit of it. If you did well in ochem that C wouldn't even be much of an issue anymore. Then there's the mcat. When it's early on in your premed career there are plenty of chances to redeem yourself.
Are you new to college or non-traditional? If you're fresh to the college scene, maybe the difficulty transitioning to the pace of college work was difficult. Or maybe you've never really worked or studied a day in your life before; which was my case. After I realized why I did so poorly my freshman year, I could refine the way I studied and re-dedicate myself; I have been making A's ever since.
The one thing that does concern me is that you're at a community college and also that you are planning on doing a post-bac. Most premeds don't PLAN on doing post-bac work, rather it's something they decide to do after applying and not getting in due to a less than stellar GPA or some low science grades. Is there anyway you can get to an actual university or college? It's not too too advisable to do all your premed req's at a community college; I'm not knocking your school at all, that's just sort of a fact. I would suggest going to a university even if it means taking out big loans, etc. However, I don't know the details of your situation so I may be way off base here.
But one final point...you didn't get a C because the professor was so terrible. I don't mean to be harsh, but that kind of a statement is my biggest pet peeve and alot of people on here are gonna back me up on that I think.
Good luck!! It's hard starting out. It was for me. PM me anytime 🙂

 

[sgilani]

Originally posted by crystal18mc
But one final point...you didn't get a C because the professor was so terrible. I don't mean to be harsh, but that kind of a statement is my biggest pet peeve and alot of people on here are gonna back me up on that I think.

ditto. you're not "given" a C. you earned it.

but it's only one grade and if you do well from now on, you'll be fine.

 

[Doni]

I don't want to disappoint you but you will probably have to take chemisty for chem/bio majors because that one is different than Chem 101 at a community college. In some cases universities/colleges work with jucos and they will count. In my case I was told by my advisors at the college that I am currently attending not to take any science classes at a juco because they are not at the same level and wouldn't count. If you do have to take it again, atleast you have some background and can do better. 🙂

 

[scota]

I am currently at UCLA, finishing up a degree is sociology, of all things. I graduate in June 2004, and will then take all the science reqs, genetics, biochem and molecular bio at SFSU. I am 21 now, and don't expect to start med school 'til 2007 🙁

The reason I didn't complete my reqs at LA is because I originally planned on attending law school, but changed my mind during my junior year.

As for my comments about the "terrible" teacher, nearly everyone (except for 3 students) was given a C. That was the my first C ever, so it was definitely a suprise.

Thanks to everyone for the replies....

 

[greggth]

Originally posted by scota
...The chem professor was SO terrible that- I was given a "C" in the course. ... The point is: should I retake gen chem at a university? What will adcoms feel about that? What, if any, are acceptable reasons for my having screwed up?! Thanks...

Yes! Retake the course! Getting an A will demonstrate your mastery of the subject, even if your MCAT scores are not good. Also, if your professor was bad, maybe you didn't really learn all that you should have learned. "A lesson is repeated until it is learned." -attributed to Charles Fitzsimmons

In the med school applications sometimes they ask you to list the courses that fulfill their prerequisite requirements. You will feel miserable if you have to put only "C" down for general chemistry. It would be better if you could put down As to balance out the Cs. Retake the course to get a decent grade.

Just my 2 cents.

I am in the same boat as you. I got Cs in Intro to biology in freshman year of college, but in my case, it was entirely my fault. (But I did well on advanced bio courses.) I cringe every time I have to put those Cs down on the apps.

If they ask you why you got a C, just say what you think the true reason was- the professor was incompetent. But be prepared to defend your answer by giving examples of how you know he/she was incompetent.