Bad grades

[Columbia22]

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Anyone get in on their first try with any C's in the required sciences???

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Medical school isn't like a lot of PA schools where they require you to get "at least a B" in the sciences. That's because medical schools look at each applicant individually. One thing that medical schools like to see is improvement, i.e. a C first semester and a B second semester is better than a C both semesters or a B first semester and a C second semester.
They also take into account where you took the class.

 

[Columbia22]

the only reason im asking is because i have 3 C's on my transcript (one term bio, and physics), while the rest of my sciences are A's and B's (biology major, Ivy league). I also have a 34 MCAT. Will those bad grades affect my chances at getting an interview??

 

[bubbajones]

i made a c- in gen chem 1 should i retake it over? help!

 

[Columbia22]

have you considered dentistry???

 

[Dr Trek 1]

Even if you retake a course, at most schools both grades will still show on your transcript. Usually, general chemistry and biology are considered the "easiest" out of the premed requirements and you probably really don't want a C for either one of them. I would say to talk to your pre-med advisor and see what he/she thinks.

A 34 MCAT score is a great score and with a high overal GPA most schools won't really care about a C or two in the sciences becuase the 34 shows a high level of understanding in the sciences (standardized amongst all other applicants).

Remember that Hitler himself could have a 45 MCAT score and a 4.0 overall GPA and 4.0 science GPA. But he wouldn't necessarily be admitted. Also remember that someone with a 2.5 science GPA who spent a year or two in the Peace Corps probably has a good chance at some very good schools.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

Really, one should consider retaking say a gen chem or bio class that they got a C in? All the advice I've ever heard has disagreed with this. My gen chem grades were C+, B-, C+ (on quarters here at OSU so 3 quarters = 2 semesters) and I've NEVER been told to consider retaking but rather just make As in ochem and from here on out and nail the mcat. Do you really think someone in my position, or in the above poster who got a C- in gen chem should seriously consider retaking the class?

 

[mellantro]

Originally posted by crystal18mc
Really, one should consider retaking say a gen chem or bio class that they got a C in? All the advice I've ever heard has disagreed with this. My gen chem grades were C+, B-, C+ (on quarters here at OSU so 3 quarters = 2 semesters) and I've NEVER been told to consider retaking but rather just make As in ochem and from here on out and nail the mcat. Do you really think someone in my position, or in the above poster who got a C- in gen chem should seriously consider retaking the class?

I think if you get below a C you'd have to retake it, right?, b/c I thought you have to complete requirements with no grade lower than a C. In your case, I think the advice you got about taking o-chem and getting As, nailing the MCAT, etc. sounds good. (FWIW, I liked O-chem much better than gen chem.)

 

[zzeyfzz]

i went to an ivy league, i got a c and a c+ in organic chemistry my sophomore year (and my science grades weren't all perfect either), and my mcat was lower than yours. i got plenty of interviews from schools that i carefully chose because they were in my range, and i am going to med school this fall.

and about retaking classes, i really don't think it's such a good idea unless you really think you'll learn something new and get something out of it. and if it's two or three c's that are there, i don't think it's a big deal. schools get over it. show that you've improved since then, and it'll be fine.

 

[bubbajones]

which med school are you going to?

 

[Columbia22]

I actually think retaking the classes are a bad idea...sound advice would be to take upper levels and do well in them...retaking a basic science comes off to me as someone is insecure and unconfident in their science abilities

 

[Jillianrae]

I got a C+ in Calc. Physics I, and a B- in Gen chem and I got in first try.

 

[ShaylaFinn]

Yep, my transcript is awash in C's (in science prereqs) and I got in on the first try. However, those grades were 9 & 10 years ago in my case, so I don't think they carried an excesssive amount of weight.

 

[coldchemist]

Originally posted by Columbia22
Anyone get in on their first try with any C's in the required sciences???

Columbia!!!

Dude, you're so in. It's intuitive that better schools have stricter grading standards. It's also intuitive (or it should be) that many applicants get in with one or two (and possibly more) C's in their science classes. It is possible that the higher tier schools might frown on anything less than a B, but does it really matter? A graduate of NYU med school will have comprable earning power and upward mobility to someone that graduates from Harvard med (assuming both graduates perform well in med school, residency, etc.). But with your MCAT score and a transcript from an IV leage school, I wouldn't be surpised if you got into both. Good luck!

CC

 

[cocoabutter]

I had C's in organic I&II, and I got into more than one school first try. I would not take the classes over. Your MCAT proves that you know your stuff. Don't worry about it!

 

[Kownell]

For those of you that got in to med school on the first try with several Cs on their record, what was your final BCPM GPA?

Were you asked about it during interviews?

 

[xaelia]

Cs in the sciences will hurt you more than other Cs....

I had 12 Cs and a D from undergrad in a non-premed major, but after a one-year postbac my overall GPA had crept back above 3.0 and my science GPA was 3.64. I definitely needed that 35S on the MCAT to get interviews and acceptances, though....

 

[jennie 21]

I had a C+ in second semester orgo, and a C+ in biochem, ended up with an overall BCPM GPA between 3.2-3.3 depending on if you count my senior year grades (which I received after submitting AMCAS) or not. I think the strong upward trend in my junior and senior years, and the fact that I did well on the MCAT, were the reasons I got in in spite of lowish science grades.

 

[jennie 21]

I had a C+ in second semester orgo, and a C+ in biochem, ended up with an overall BCPM GPA between 3.2-3.3 depending on if you count my senior year grades (which I received after submitting AMCAS) or not. I think the strong upward trend in my junior and senior years, and the fact that I did well on the MCAT, were the reasons I got in in spite of lowish science grades. I did get asked about it in some of my interviews.

 

[jennie 21]

Whoops...didn't mean to post that twice. Sorry.

 

[kito]

Originally posted by Dr Trek 1
Remember that Hitler himself could have a 45 MCAT score and a 4.0 overall GPA and 4.0 science GPA. But he wouldn't necessarily be admitted.

Am I the only person who finds this perversely amusing?

 

[Columbia22]

my GPA is a 3.4, BCPM around 3.25., double major, Ivy league. MCAT 34R. Any hope for any good schools?

 

[ready]

the best way to find out is to apply

 

[SM-UCLA tech]

I had 2 C's.....One in Ochem and one in bio.....I also had a D in a stupid Women's Studies class, ( no offense to any females out there), as a freshman........

that being said......I still got into 4 allopathic schools and 2 osteopathic schools.


The best advice is not to worry and do everything you can to your best ability. Be confident yet humble, and don't give up. With persistence and a great attitude, you'll make it.