a C. i've read all the other relevant threads.

[FairytaleMD]

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I got 2 C's in undergrad. I've punished myself into an anxious wreck, and I've rationalized into HMS.

Aside from GPA, I know the MCAT is the other dealbreaker. I just want to know: Are there current students at top med schools who had received 1 or 2 C's in their prereq courses?

I really just want hope. I swear I'm not dumb.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

simple probability & common sense tells us that there must have at least one C in at least one transcript of at least one student in a so-called "top" medical school.

 

[FairytaleMD]

I know, but with all the blaring '3.7-3.8' median GPAs from those schools...I just want a personal story.

thanks

 

[muhali3]

Don't be so set on getting into a top 10 school. Chances are you won't get accepted, not because of the C's, just due to probability. People get into top schools even with below average GPAs, it all depends on the rest of your app.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Assuming your overall GPA is still competitive at those schools, they're unlikely to look too deeply at the individual grades, and they won't be a deal-breaker. However, of course one's entire application must be a complete stand-out, and so if your overall GPA is only average for their school, that's one less spot on your application where you can impress them.

 

[CoolWhipp]

...Chances are you won't get accepted, not because of the C's, just due to probability...

This is the reality. Even if those C's didn't exist, I'd put money on you not getting in. Once you realize this, you will be in a better state of mind. Try your best and move on.

 

[Beta Cell]

This is the reality. Even if those C's didn't exist, I'd put money on you not getting in. Once you realize this, you will be in a better state of mind. Try your best and move on.

I think it's healthy to set lofty goals, though. If he or she doesn't make it into a "top 10," the effort they put in to building their resume might land them in a better school than he or she would have been able to attend normally. All you can do is try your best and see what happens.

 

[SketchsaurusRex]

"C" is for Caribbean...

 

[Mattabet]

Are there any medical students at "top" medical schools that have ever gotten two Cs?

Sure. We're talking hundreds of thousands of graduates.

Sure there are.

I'm pretty sure that in Yale's class of 1978, there was even a guy with a D+. For real!

 

[FairytaleMD]

Thanks Beta Cell. I'm sure a hundred other despairing undergrads have the same question, so the constructive responses really help.

I love opinions. Real stories would be awesome though...

A determined 60 year old man wants to know if anyone older than 65 has ever climbed Everest. As the old man attempts his goal, he shouldn't be regarded as naive or unprepared for just pondering the question. When people find a terrific source of inspiration, they often feel really...inspired.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Thanks Beta Cell. I'm sure a hundred other despairing undergrads have the same question, so the constructive responses really help.

I love opinions. Real stories would be awesome though...

A determined 60 year old man wants to know if anyone older than 65 has ever climbed Everest. As the old man attempts his goal, he shouldn't be regarded as naive or unprepared for just pondering the question. When people find a terrific source of inspiration, they often feel really...inspired.

I think a better metaphor would be a man with a missing toe wondering if anyone with one or two missing toes had ever climbed Everest. And the answer would be, as long as he had strong hands, legs, and torso, his toes wouldn't keep him from his goal 😉

 

[RogueUnicorn]

i feel the appropriate analogy is - a person sits in a car with a stain on the carpet. he wonders if it can get him to his job.

 

[DendWrite]

i feel the appropriate analogy is - a person sits in a car with a stain on the carpet. he wonders if it can get him to his
job.

👍 Yes.

 

[JJMrK]

i feel the appropriate analogy is - a person sits in a car with a stain on the carpet. he wonders if it can get him to his job.

I like it.

OP, I'm not sure what you mean by "top" school, but getting into a top 10 or 20 school takes a mixture of outstanding achievements, great LOR, good conversational and writing skills, and luck. This is JMO, but a lot of these schools seem to be more about prestige; your undergrad might matter a little bit more at these places. If you have all of these things going for you, one C shouldn't matter too much.

 

[FairytaleMD]

thanks JJMrK. top 25 schools sounds about right for 'top' schools.

I'm definitely a believer of there always being a way. I just want to place my faith in a real example. Someone please say "I got a couple C's and I'm at Duke MS" or something. 😱

please remember when you were premed and all the little anxieties built up over time...🙂

 

[cubssox2000]

In order to answer, we need to know what you consider "top" schools. You said top 25, but according to whose ranking? US News? And if so, rankings under what title? Research? Primary Care? We need more info before anyone can say if they are at any of those schools.

Also, see my link for why having the C will not keep you out of medical school.

 

[oaklandguy]

You got a C in a class? I don't think medicine is the appropriate career for you; however, Burger King seems like a very viable option... dude just relax, why the need to go to a top school? You want a place that will appreciate you for the C getting student that you are!

Seriously though, stop worrying, get good grades that will overshadow those C's and you'll be fine. Most med schools, even the top ones, look at the whole overall applicant and not just the grades of a couple classes.

 

[Longshanks]

If you get this worked up over a C, how will you maintain your composure when things aren't going according to plan while practicing?

 

[Isoprop]

Learn from your mistakes, OP. Nothing can be done about it now.

 

[Mellymel09]

You got a C in a class? I don't think medicine is the appropriate career for you; however, Burger King seems like a very viable option... dude just relax, why the need to go to a top school? You want a place that will appreciate you for the C getting student that you are!

Seriously though, stop worrying, get good grades that will overshadow those C's and you'll be fine. Most med schools, even the top ones, look at the whole overall applicant and not just the grades of a couple classes.

Haha love the BK comment. About the C, I don't think it's a biggie, but what I've read on some school websites is that if you get BELOW a C on the pre-reqs, then there may be some problems... but the key word here is: BELOW.

I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck! 🙂

Mel

 

[JJMrK]

In order to answer, we need to know what you consider "top" schools. You said top 25, but according to whose ranking? US News? And if so, rankings under what title? Research? Primary Care? We need more info before anyone can say if they are at any of those schools.

Also, see my link for why having the C will not keep you out of medical school.

When most people say top 25 they are referring to US News research rankings.

 

[cubssox2000]

When most people say top 25 they are referring to US News research rankings.

Not necessarily, there are other rankings out there, including rankings of just publics, just privates and so on. Most importantly, the OP may have made a list of their own schools that they consider top 25 which goes beyond the US News rankings. Also, US News has different rankings (eg. Primary Care, Research), and the rankings are different. If the OP is interested in research, then they are probably more interested in the Research lists than anything else.

 

[kevster2001]

one of my roommates in college had a couple of C's i think. He's at UF now and dropped a 245 on the boards.

but really, stop being so premed

 

[JJMrK]

Not necessarily, there are other rankings out there, including rankings of just publics, just privates and so on. Most importantly, the OP may have made a list of their own schools that they consider top 25 which goes beyond the US News rankings. Also, US News has different rankings (eg. Primary Care, Research), and the rankings are different. If the OP is interested in research, then they are probably more interested in the Research lists than anything else.

Sure, but I said "most people". On this site most people who talk about top 25 or top 10 are referring to US News research rankings.

 

[cubssox2000]

Sure, but I said "most people". On this site most people who talk about top 25 or top 10 are referring to US News research rankings.

I am very well aware of that. I was trying to help the OP elicit some responses by narrowing the request down to a more specific list of schools than just general top 25.