After doing well on MCAT, expecting poor grade in Biochem. Thoughts?

[MetsFan96]

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I took the MCAT this past summer as a sophomore, got a 515 (129, 130, 129, 128)

Took Cell Biology this semester (equivalent of Biochem, which is offered formally in the Spring).

I've done incredibly poorly in the class, a lot of concepts and research-based information I've struggled with along with other personal problems regarding health, etc.

Likely to end up with a C- or C, C+/B- if I somehow ace the Final (Very unlikely). Should I consider signing up for the Biochem equivalent of this class for next semester? It is more focused on enzymes and proteins which are a stronger area for me. I know AMCAS would only view this favorably if I got an A. Thoughts?

 

[MetsFan96]

Also, regardless, since the course # will be different, it will both show up on my Transcript and count towards my GPA, which is why I'm considering the option.

At a 3.6, 3.4 sGPA so doing well in Biochem may raise my GPA and help offset my psuedo-Biochem poor grade?

 

[Papa Oso]

I've struggled with along with other personal problems regarding health, etc.

Until this is resolved, I wouldn't take any particularly difficult courses if you can help it until things get better. Make sure to comment in your personal statement and/or secondaries about why you struggled with your classes and some med schools won't hold that bad grade against you.

Good luck and I hope things work out!

 

[MetsFan96]

Until this is resolved, I wouldn't take any particularly difficult courses if you can help it until things get better. Make sure to comment in your personal statement and/or secondaries about why you struggled with your classes and some med schools won't hold that bad grade against you.

Good luck and I hope things work out!

Appreciate it, thanks! Have a chronic condition which had a flare-up early in the semester. I'm much better now, back to normal, but that early set-back led me to drop Orgo 2 (Retaking next semester) and do poorly in this class somewhat. Luckily, I'm on par for 3 A's in my other classes so wouldn't say the semester has been a disaster.

I am definitely planning on mentioning the condition in my personal statement/somewhere in an essay, as it's a field I'd like to go in and am involved in research!

 

[Papa Oso]

I am definitely planning on mentioning the condition in my personal statement/somewhere in an essay, as it's a field I'd like to go in and am involved in research!

Your welcome!
As bad as this sounds, having something interesting, compelling, and believable as this as for "why medicine" in your PS will be more beneficial for you than getting an A over a C on one science course. There is a reason why 3.8+ GPA/515+ MCAT applicants sometimes get no acceptances. Be proud of the fact that you have had to overcome this in your future medical school interviews, and that will go a long way to differentiate yourself from the herd of sheep so to speak during interview day.

 

[efle]

There have got to be better options for sGPA repair than Biochem, at most universities that is among the toughest classes. At a 3.4 sGPA I'd be asking around for the easiest upper level Bio course recommendations.

 

[Frogger27]

Also, regardless, since the course # will be different, it will both show up on my Transcript and count towards my GPA, which is why I'm considering the option.

At a 3.6, 3.4 sGPA so doing well in Biochem may raise my GPA and help offset my psuedo-Biochem poor grade?

Are you sure this course will fulfill the biochem requirement or do you need to take the one offered in the spring. I would look into it. If you do not need to take it, take some easy science class to raise your gpa. You have already proved you can succeed by doing well on MCAT. Work on your gpa. Schools won't care about a C on your transcript

 

[MetsFan96]

There have got to be better options for sGPA repair than Biochem, at most universities that is among the toughest classes. At a 3.4 sGPA I'd be asking around for the easiest upper level Bio course recommendations.

No doubt, but thinking that taking biochem would atleast perhaps show improvement over this poor cell bio grade. def looking for some easier Bio courses

 

[MetsFan96]

Are you sure this course will fulfill the biochem requirement or do you need to take the one offered in the spring. I would look into it. If you do not need to take it, take some easy science class to raise your gpa. You have already proved you can succeed by doing well on MCAT. Work on your gpa. Schools won't care about a C on your transcript

So the current cell bio course does fulfill the biochem requirement. I do not need to take the titled 'Biochem' class in the Spring.

Yeah, I have one other C from last year on a Biology elective that wasn't even a requirement, on relationship between humans and environment :/ Sadly don't think I could classify it as anything other than towards my science GPA

 

[MetsFan96]

My main concern is Adcom feeling that my MCAT score was a fluke, after seeing my poor grade in Biochem. Or does the fact that I did well on the MCAT make it seem the other way around, that I just messed up in the course?

 

[Papa Oso]

My main concern is Adcom feeling that my MCAT score was a fluke, after seeing my poor grade in Biochem. Or does the fact that I did well on the MCAT make it seem the other way around, that I just messed up in the course?

The latter. There is no way to "fluke" the MCAT. The former might be true if you had a really subpar GPA and then somehow drastically outperformed on the MCAT than your GPA would predict. Again, one grade won't be the make/break point.

 

[MetsFan96]

The latter. There is no way to "fluke" the MCAT. The former might be true if you had a really subpar GPA and then somehow drastically outperformed on the MCAT than your GPA would predict. Again, one grade won't be the make/break point.

Ah, I see what you're saying.

I really appreciate your comments, they've really helped me! Going to give it my all on this last midterm and Final and hope for the best!

 

[Frogger27]

My main concern is Adcom feeling that my MCAT score was a fluke, after seeing my poor grade in Biochem. Or does the fact that I did well on the MCAT make it seem the other way around, that I just messed up in the course?

No way to fluke the MCAT. My advice is take easy classes to raise gpa. Tbh, they won't even look that closely at your transcripts most likely. Just your gpa by year.