Another bad grade!

[hoops123]

---

Members do not see this ad.

OK.
i need some honest advice.
i was applying for the 2012 cycle this year, i had bought all of my oat study material and got all my references ready but i just found out i did horrible on my analytical chem 2 final. i got 12 marks below class average and because we are curved it will probably turn out to be a D. my gpa was a 3.1 but now i dont even want to think about what will happen.
my plan was to take four easy summer classes and ace them, get my gpa to a 3.3 and score average on the OAT (apply early) and get an interview but things are not looking that good. i will probably have to retake chem 2 and microbio (which i also did bad in).


now im confused because i used to go to a different university (where they didn't curve) and i was doing fine. it was small, really well known but not as "prestigious" as this one. i had a 3.1 when i transferred to the "more prestigious" one (that is when everything went down hill because i got 2 D's here) . i know that if i had stayed at my old one i would be at least at a 3.3 and would definitely not have any D's on my transcript.

now i have two choices, stay here and keep getting horrible grades and end up with a 2.3 (which is what happens after you get 2 D's) and no optometry school would even consider my application
or
transfer back and try to undo this mess that i got my self into.. i can go back there and try to get better grades so it neutralizes this gpa. if i went there and even got a 3.3 i know that the optometry schools would at-least consider my application.

i dont know if this is the right approach which is why i am posting this, what should i do?

and as far as applying this year i dont see that happening specially after this semester. should i take the risk of transferring there and doing a semester, which should be over in dec. and then applying? but i know by then they start filling up spots and the chances get slimmer. i have no idea what to do but i am sure of one thing that i want to spend my life as an optometrist and and willing to work as hard as i have to so i can get there.

any suggestions??

 

[mintyjulep]

OK.
i need some honest advice.
i was applying for the 2012 cycle this year, i had bought all of my oat study material and got all my references ready but i just found out i did horrible on my analytical chem 2 final. i got 12 marks below class average and because we are curved it will probably turn out to be a D. my gpa was a 3.1 but now i dont even want to think about what will happen.
my plan was to take four easy summer classes and ace them, get my gpa to a 3.3 and score average on the OAT (apply early) and get an interview but things are not looking that good. i will probably have to retake chem 2 and microbio (which i also did bad in).


now im confused because i used to go to a different university (where they didn't curve) and i was doing fine. it was small, really well known but not as "prestigious" as this one. i had a 3.1 when i transferred to the "more prestigious" one (that is when everything went down hill because i got 2 D's here) . i know that if i had stayed at my old one i would be at least at a 3.3 and would definitely not have any D's on my transcript.

now i have two choices, stay here and keep getting horrible grades and end up with a 2.3 (which is what happens after you get 2 D's) and no optometry school would even consider my application
or
transfer back and try to undo this mess that i got my self into.. i can go back there and try to get better grades so it neutralizes this gpa. if i went there and even got a 3.3 i know that the optometry schools would at-least consider my application.

i dont know if this is the right approach which is why i am posting this, what should i do?

and as far as applying this year i dont see that happening specially after this semester. should i take the risk of transferring there and doing a semester, which should be over in dec. and then applying? but i know by then they start filling up spots and the chances get slimmer. i have no idea what to do but i am sure of one thing that i want to spend my life as an optometrist and and willing to work as hard as i have to so i can get there.

any suggestions??

I think this is a good example of how a particular GPA at one school does not at all equate to the same thing at a more difficult/prestigious university--hence why we have standardized tests like the OAT to level the playing field.

Anyhow, why did you transfer in the first place, hoops?

 

[KHE]

OK.
i need some honest advice.
i was applying for the 2012 cycle this year, i had bought all of my oat study material and got all my references ready but i just found out i did horrible on my analytical chem 2 final. i got 12 marks below class average and because we are curved it will probably turn out to be a D. my gpa was a 3.1 but now i dont even want to think about what will happen.
my plan was to take four easy summer classes and ace them, get my gpa to a 3.3 and score average on the OAT (apply early) and get an interview but things are not looking that good. i will probably have to retake chem 2 and microbio (which i also did bad in).


now im confused because i used to go to a different university (where they didn't curve) and i was doing fine. it was small, really well known but not as "prestigious" as this one. i had a 3.1 when i transferred to the "more prestigious" one (that is when everything went down hill because i got 2 D's here) . i know that if i had stayed at my old one i would be at least at a 3.3 and would definitely not have any D's on my transcript.

now i have two choices, stay here and keep getting horrible grades and end up with a 2.3 (which is what happens after you get 2 D's) and no optometry school would even consider my application
or
transfer back and try to undo this mess that i got my self into.. i can go back there and try to get better grades so it neutralizes this gpa. if i went there and even got a 3.3 i know that the optometry schools would at-least consider my application.

i dont know if this is the right approach which is why i am posting this, what should i do?

and as far as applying this year i dont see that happening specially after this semester. should i take the risk of transferring there and doing a semester, which should be over in dec. and then applying? but i know by then they start filling up spots and the chances get slimmer. i have no idea what to do but i am sure of one thing that i want to spend my life as an optometrist and and willing to work as hard as i have to so i can get there.

any suggestions??

Transferring back is not the right choice.

You have to ask yourself why you keep making low scores at the new university. The curve is not the reason because what that's saying is that you're doing much worse than the class average. Why? Why are you not able to keep up with your classmates at your school?

 

[hoops123]

I think this is a good example of how a particular GPA at one school does not at all equate to the same thing at a more difficult/prestigious university--hence why we have standardized tests like the OAT to level the playing field.

Anyhow, why did you transfer in the first place, hoops?

I transferred because it was closer to my house and some of the courses i needed to take (ex. microbio with a lab) were not offered at my other uni.
i was doing much better there not because it was any easier because i basically took the same classes, but because of the fact that i was in smaller classes 120 people at max. and was able to approach my profs more easily, even the profs seemed to care and were much nicer.

when i transferred i was in a class of 400 people, none of the profs care and have all have major ego, i am not used to this environment. so im thinking that if the environment is bothering me that much then why not go back to my old uni.

.........
but i don't know what to do, i am still figuring it out.

 

[hoops123]

Transferring back is not the right choice.

You have to ask yourself why you keep making low scores at the new university. The curve is not the reason because what that's saying is that you're doing much worse than the class average. Why? Why are you not able to keep up with your classmates at your school?

I wish i had the answer to that question, i don't know why i couldn't.
i am still trying to figure it out and what went wrong.

 

[Mewcakes]

The optometry schools are going to ask the very same question that KHE did. Even more so if they see that you've flip-flopped with your schools. And you will have to explain yourself. I agree that transferring back to your school is not the answer. Did you get your Ds in two like...10 unit classes or something? How can 2 Ds bring your GPA down almost an entire gradepoint? Do you have like...60 total units to begin with? You should see a counselor at your school to make sure you really know where you are with your GPA.

 

[hoops123]

Transferring back is not the right choice.

You have to ask yourself why you keep making low scores at the new university. The curve is not the reason because what that's saying is that you're doing much worse than the class average. Why? Why are you not able to keep up with your classmates at your school?

ok.. so i thought about it and talked about it with a few friends. The CURVE is designed so that only 200 out 400 will be above class average which means 50% of the class will always be below and if the class is curved to a B-(which they usually are) then 50% of the class ends up with C's D's and F's... in my case i've apart of the bottom 50% because im not a smart studier.. .. this just what my friends say about me who have observed me studying over and over again.

 

[nicmc]

I agree. You have to figure out why you are in this situation. Maybe you need to re-evaluate your study skills. I have done my undergrad at a school where I have taken classes with 400 people and the professors are no help. It can be very difficult, but you have to improvise to be able to do well in the situation. I would recommend seeking tutoring or outside help because you really can't expect the professors to help you in that type of environment. Also, maybe talk to people in your classes who you know are consistently scoring in the top distribution to see how they succeed.

 

[fly10]

It's also important to notice and recognize that not everyone one can be successful in a class of 400 people, we are all different types of learners and are comfortable in different environments.. so hoops123 if switching to your old uni will help then i say go for it.. if you are successful there then you can explain to the schools that you were not comfortable being in huge classes and the environment that came with it, because it didn't work for you....

 

[KHE]

It's also important to notice and recognize that not everyone one can be successful in a class of 400 people, we are all different types of learners and are comfortable in different environments.. so hoops123 if switching to your old uni will help then i say go for it.. if you are successful there then you can explain to the schools that you were not comfortable being in huge classes and the environment that came with it, because it didn't work for you....

It's also important to recognize that not everyone can be successful in science or make it into or through optometry school.

I'm not necessarily saying that's the case with the OP here but they might want to consider that very possibility with the understanding that there's absolutely no shame in that whatsoever.

 

[KHE]

ok.. so i thought about it and talked about it with a few friends. The CURVE is designed so that only 200 out 400 will be above class average which means 50% of the class will always be below and if the class is curved to a B-(which they usually are) then 50% of the class ends up with C's D's and F's... in my case i've apart of the bottom 50% because im not a smart studier.. .. this just what my friends say about me who have observed me studying over and over again.

So just being in the top half would have gotten you a B.

What is your definition of a "smart studier?" Maybe you should seek out some of your classmates who are making these scores and ask them for some tutoring or study suggestions.

 

[Mewcakes]

I really don't think there is much difference between a class of 400 and 100 students. Especially if you're the type that doesn't ask a lot of questions, then all you're doing is sitting there taking notes. What's the difference if you're surrounded by 99 or 399 people? If you like to ask questions, then sit in the front where the professor can see/hear you and you can get their attention easily. If you don't ask questions, then I think it's your study strategies that need to be re-visited.

 

[pieman396]

You should be ok. I got a D in one class and several Cs in my sciences and just got into Nova.

 

[optsuker]

I'd use this as a big wake up call!
One bad grade does not make for a poor student, but keep in mind:

• A larger % of classes in opt school will be more difficult than anything you see in undergrad.
• It will be presented much faster & a much higher volume of material
• You'll be sitting in a class full of honor students, so when there is a curve, it will be much steeper.

Now's the time to decide if your commited to the hard work it's going to take to succeed. I hope you are. Good luck!

 

[Mewcakes]

• You'll be sitting in a class full of honor students, so when there is a curve, it will be much steeper.

Unless like..half the entire class is going to fail (like, for real D fail) the course, we don't get a curve.

So don't be expecting a curve all the time in optometry school! I've only been here a year, but I've yet to see one applied to any of our grades.

 

[319671]

You should be ok. I got a D in one class and several Cs in my sciences and just got into Nova.

can i know your stats?

 

[hoops123]

My mom went to med school so trust me when i say i am completely aware of what it takes, And i'm quite sure that they don't normally curve.

And my only problem with the curve is that half of the class will always be below. At my other uni i went to.. take for example my calculus 1 class, we were 28 students and if all of us got 75%-85% then our grades would range from B to B+. but lets say they curved it (to a B-, which is what 1st yr classes r curved to) then 14 of them would get C's, D's and F's..
so personally i would rather be at an institution where i know they are not looking to hand out C's,D's and F's to half of their students, this is just my PERSONAL preference. If you think that there is no difference between being curved and not curved then that your personal point of view.
i have experienced both and one of them just doesn't work for me.

 

[fly10]

@pieman396

yes i would also like to know your stats since i am in a very similar position and also wanted to ask you if you applied to PCO or NECO because those are my top two choices.

 

[nicmc]

My mom went to med school so trust me when i say i am completely aware of what it takes, And i'm quite sure that they don't normally curve.

And my only problem with the curve is that half of the class will always be below. At my other uni i went to.. take for example my calculus 1 class, we were 28 students and if all of us got 75%-85% then our grades would range from B to B+. but lets say they curved it (to a B-, which is what 1st yr classes r curved to) then 14 of them would get C's, D's and F's..
so personally i would rather be at an institution where i know they are not looking to hand out C's,D's and F's to half of their students, this is just my PERSONAL preference. If you think that there is no difference between being curved and not curved then that your personal point of view.
i have experienced both and one of them just doesn't work for me.

Are you sure about this? Don't curves always curve UP? I find it hard to believe that a school would give someone who made a 75 an F. Also, for those classes where the class average is far below a B-, that's a pretty generous curve. At least at my school, class averages are always Cs (and there is no curve period unless just about everyone is seriously failing).

 

[nc2tarheels]

Are you sure about this? Don't curves always curve UP? I find it hard to believe that a school would give someone who made a 75 an F. Also, for those classes where the class average is far below a B-, that's a pretty generous curve. At least at my school, class averages are always Cs (and there is no curve period unless just about everyone is seriously failing).

I wish more university's curved down. Sorry to say it, but a "C" is supposed to be AVERAGE. There should not be a class where 90% of people get B's and higher.

 

[nicmc]

I wish more university's curved down. Sorry to say it, but a "C" is supposed to be AVERAGE. There should not be a class where 90% of people get B's and higher.

Oh I completely agree that a C should be the average. I just don't understand why you would not write tests up to the level of difficulty that would create the desired distribution instead curving high grades down. I believe that you should have to really work to make an A, especially in science classes.

 

[hoops123]

at my uni.
1st yr classes are curved to a B-, when i took physics which is a first year class, i got a 71% and ended up with a C because class average was 78%. I have talked to numerous profs about it and they have told me that the department forces them to curve because if they give 15As then they have to give 15Fs thats how it works.

 

[nc2tarheels]

at my uni.
1st yr classes are curved to a B-, when i took physics which is a first year class, i got a 71% and ended up with a C because class average was 78%. I have talked to numerous profs about it and they have told me that the department forces them to curve because if they give 15As then they have to give 15Fs thats how it works.

Your mistaken I think. I don't think a university chooses to give 15 A's, then they do 15 F's, to even it out. I think as a whole, the classes should be curved to a C. Let's say there are 100 students in a class and 40 of them make A's, 30 makes B's, 20 makes C's, 5 makes D's and 5 makes F's. Just because 40 made A's, that doesn't mean that 40 should fail. If that was the case, then the 5 F's, the 5 D's, the 20 C's, and 1/3 of the B's would automatically get an F. That makes no sense. It's pretty easy to use Excel and come up with a distribution chart. For most hard classes, there will be some that fail, but there will be a some that make A's. I've worked my ass off for some "C's" that i've gotten and I've done jack $hit for some of the A's I've gotten, seems odd, but that's just the way it is. Your not the only person to run into problems with tough classes, but it seems to me that you're trying to make excuses in your mind and you refuse to accept the fact that you may not have what it takes to be successful in undergrad. That's ok, some people can't. I hate to see people that sign up for courses and just because they wrote a check to the university for X amount of dollars, they believe they are owed an education. They aren't owed anything. Work your ass off, bust your tail, and make something of your education. I'm not saying that you don't...you very well may, but it seems like you need to quit making excuses and figure out what it is that is holding you back.

 

[hoops123]

Your mistaken I think. I don't think a university chooses to give 15 A's, then they do 15 F's, to even it out. I think as a whole, the classes should be curved to a C. Let's say there are 100 students in a class and 40 of them make A's, 30 makes B's, 20 makes C's, 5 makes D's and 5 makes F's. Just because 40 made A's, that doesn't mean that 40 should fail. If that was the case, then the 5 F's, the 5 D's, the 20 C's, and 1/3 of the B's would automatically get an F. That makes no sense. It's pretty easy to use Excel and come up with a distribution chart. For most hard classes, there will be some that fail, but there will be a some that make A's. I've worked my ass off for some "C's" that i've gotten and I've done jack $hit for some of the A's I've gotten, seems odd, but that's just the way it is. Your not the only person to run into problems with tough classes, but it seems to me that you're trying to make excuses in your mind and you refuse to accept the fact that you may not have what it takes to be successful in undergrad. That's ok, some people can't. I hate to see people that sign up for courses and just because they wrote a check to the university for X amount of dollars, they believe they are owed an education. They aren't owed anything. Work your ass off, bust your tail, and make something of your education. I'm not saying that you don't...you very well may, but it seems like you need to quit making excuses and figure out what it is that is holding you back.

I will keep that in mind, yes you are right i may have been making excuses for my grades. But i was not by any means implying that i did bad because my classes were curved, i just noticed that i PERSONALLY tend to come out with better grades in non-curved classes. but i completely agree with you.

 

[honey0207]

You should be ok. I got a D in one class and several Cs in my sciences and just got into Nova.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your profile when you got accepted?