B- on retake in post-bacc? :(

[sonadora14]

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When I graduated a year ago, I knew my GPA was not competitive for really any U.S. medical school, so I decided to do an informal post-bacc by retaking classes I made C's in and taking some new upper-level science courses.

After this semester, my sGPA and cGPA will both be around a 3.1 (graduated w/ 2.6 sGPA and 2.9 cGPA), but it looks like I'm going to make a B or more likely a B- in gen chem II, which I made a C in the first time I took it several years ago. I'm definitely not proud of that grade at all considering 1) it's a retake and 2) *sigh* I have a chemistry degree.

There's no great excuse, but I basically bombed one of the exams during a stressful few weeks when my 4-month-old got extremely sick and required my attention pretty much 24/7 since he couldn't go to daycare. Two nights before the exam, I was up literally all night with him and ending up being at the Emergency Department from about 4 am until 8 am the next day. Whenever I got opportunities to study, they were really brief and I was just too exhausted to really accomplish anything. My other grades in the class are pretty good, but the one awful exam grade really brings my average down.

How bad will a B- in this course look considering the circumstances? I feel quite disappointed in myself because I realize this is my chance to shine, and I feel like I'm still screwing up. On a positive note, however, I should come out with A's in all the other courses I am taking this semester including Biochemistry, Physical chemistry (retake), Genetics, A&P, and Bio lab.

In general, how bad is it to get B's in post-bacc courses? Is it pretty much necessary to get all A's or else you are hurting your chances? What is considered a good post-bacc GPA? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mke520]

I don't think a B or B- in gen chem will prevent you from getting in to medical school whatsoever. it's the overall picture, not just one course, even if it is a retake. the most important thing for you to do is to raise your cGPA and sGPA with a strong upward trend in your post-bac courses. a 3.1 cGPA and sGPA is just about the bare minimum for DO schools, but you can get in if you score very well on the MCAT. but don't worry about a B- in gen chem, nobody is going to really care. if they ask you in an interview, just tell them why and be honest. getting straight A's is not necessary and i'd say a good post-bac is 3.7+

 

[GypsyHummus]

Retakes are necessary to boost that GPA. Get it to a 3.2 science and 3.3 cumulative, ace the mcat, and become a doctor.

DO it.

 

[coolingglasses]

How bad will a B- in this course look considering the circumstances? I feel quite disappointed in myself because I realize this is my chance to shine, and I feel like I'm still screwing up. On a positive note, however, I should come out with A's in all the other courses I am taking this semester including Biochemistry, Physical chemistry (retake), Genetics, A&P, and Bio lab.

In general, how bad is it to get B's in post-bacc courses? Is it pretty much necessary to get all A's or else you are hurting your chances? What is considered a good post-bacc GPA? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I had a bunch during mine lol. As long as your final numbers are over 3.1 (which, it sounds like they will be) you'll probably be fine, but of course it's in your best interest to slay your grades as much as you can.

And do well on your MCAT.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

If you have a chemistry degree and you retake the introductory course but the best you can do is a B- it's enough to make me want to tank your application. Please retake it a one more time to clear that up.

Edit: Actually, ignore me. It's not that terrible, but it looks bad. I would retake.

 

[coolingglasses]

If you have a chemistry degree and you retake the introductory course but the best you can do is a B- it's enough to make me want to tank your application. Please retake it a one more time to clear that up.

Edit: Actually, ignore me. It's not that terrible, but it looks bad. I would retake.

I wouldn't waste time on another retake of the same class. Just keep moving forward and kick ass in your other ones.

 

[Makati2008]

I wouldn't waste time on another retake of the same class. Just keep moving forward and kick ass in your other ones.

Agreed

 

[DocWinter]

Repeating what gonnif said. Don't strain yourself on this; it's not good, but you can makeup in a different way.

While no application is perfect, you simply have to make sure you don't repeat this. Multiple Cs and Bs in a postbac will do you no favors at all.

 

[WalSlave]

Seriously, don't sweat it. If your only vice is something as irrelevant to being a doctor as Gen Chem II, then I'd say you're going to be just fine. I'm working on my masters in freaking biochemistry for christ sakes and I'm STILL terrible with Gen Chem II. I can talk about enzyme kinetics all day, but Gen Chem-esque kinetics? Forget it.

As long as you can pull off a suitable score in the physical science section of the MCAT, I'd say most DO schools won't care too much. I also think your A in biochemistry will be of much greater interest, considering that's a difficult and extremely relevant subject.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I was wondering the same thing about a couple of my classes OP, I have all A's and B's in my science classes except a B- in Physiology and Organic Chemistry I (I did better in Orgo II.) My sGPA is a 3.4, is it okay to leave those classes alone and do some upper level science classes instead?

 

[darkeon]

I was wondering the same thing about a couple of my classes OP, I have all A's and B's in my science classes except a B- in Physiology and Organic Chemistry I (I did better in Orgo II.) My sGPA is a 3.4, is it okay to leave those classes alone and do some upper level science classes instead?

Oh you silly cute kitty. Please do not retake anything, nor take any upper level sci classes. Your sgpa is very good for DO admissions. You'll be more productive playing with a ball of yarn.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I was wondering the same thing about a couple of my classes OP, I have all A's and B's in my science classes except a B- in Physiology and Organic Chemistry I (I did better in Orgo II.) My sGPA is a 3.4, is it okay to leave those classes alone and do some upper level science classes instead?

If you retake that B-, you either have NOTHING else to do or you lost a few neurons, maybe both. You are above 3.2, which makes you competitive at D.O schools.

In general, how bad is it to get B's in post-bacc courses? Is it pretty much necessary to get all A's or else you are hurting your chances? What is considered a good post-bacc GPA? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It's fine. Just focus on getting A's on all your future courses. Raise that GPA as high, >3.25. You can do this. +1 on working so hard with a child on your hand.