B's required in pre-reqs?

[BurghStudent]

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I feel like this is an SDN myth, because I haven't hear do of it anywhere else. Does anyone know for sure if their are schools and which ones that require a B or better in pre-reqs?

My problem is I got a C+ in Orgo II. I wouldn't prove anything by retaking it and it is my only pre-req C. I am a biochemistry major so I have plenty of courses that could show my Orgo grade was an anomaly.

(For what its worth, I got an A- in Orgo I)

Thanks for the help.

 

[wlee43]

I think on websites of med schools it says B or higher on pre reqs

 

[transfec]

I feel like this is an SDN myth, because I haven't hear do of it anywhere else. Does anyone know for sure if their are schools and which ones that require a B or better in pre-reqs?

My problem is I got a C+ in Orgo II. I wouldn't prove anything by retaking it and it is my only pre-req C. I am a biochemistry major so I have plenty of courses that could show my Orgo grade was an anomaly.

(For what its worth, I got an A- in Orgo I)

Thanks for the help.

You really need to work on those grades. A C+ following an A- looks pretty bad. For most schools, the requirement is around a C-. However, you should be focusing on doing your best 100% of the time. If you do that, none of this will be a problem. Hope that helps.

EDIT: I thought you meant the grade required to move on to the next class in a sequence, which is usually a C-.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

The minimum grade you should ever get in a pre-req is a C. However obviously you want better grades in terms of being competitive. But there are plenty of people who got into medical school and have a C in one of their pre-reqs especially orgo.

 

[transfec]

Getting C's, in the case of getting into medical school, warrants retaking the course.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Usually it's C-'s, but if you're from FL USF requires you to explain each B- or lower that you get. I'm not sure what to say for my C+ in Gen Chem II. I might just say that it was in the B range before the final and I sucked big time on the exam. Lame excuse, and even though its true I doubt it'll make much difference for me. I'd retake it if you have time, but if you're like me then you do not have the time. Perhaps you should take some time to figure out why there was such a disparity from first to second semester, and hope your other grades overshadow it. A couple bad grades will not keep you from getting into medical school.

 

[transfec]

Usually it's C-'s, but if you're from FL USF requires you to explain each B- or lower that you get. I'm not sure what to say for my C+ in Gen Chem II. I might just say that it was in the B range before the final and I sucked big time on the exam. Lame excuse, and even though its true I doubt it'll make much difference for me. I'd retake it if you have time, but if you're like me then you do not have the time. Perhaps you should take some time to figure out why there was such a disparity from first to second semester, and hope your other grades overshadow it. A couple bad grades will not keep you from getting into medical school.

If you get ANY C's, you should expect to be asked about it at each and every one of your interviews. Using the excuse you have would be a bad idea. Try to connect it to some motivation in doing well in the future and provide several examples.

Also, not having time makes very little sense. Spending potentially thousands of dollars during the application process, only to have to apply the following year because of these low marks, make little sense.

 

[IrishCalini]

Don't worry. A couple of my friends that have acceptances to medical school have C+ s in their prereqs. I would just not make it a habit. Its really good though that you did get such a good grade in Orgo I. Congrats!

 

[WorldChanger36]

Some people on here make it seem like anything lower then a B is the end of your chances. It is not. There have been people that pulled themselves out of a Failing freshmen year to get into med school. There are stories of people who have failed the prerecs, retook them and get into med school. If you are willing to do the work you can get in. If I were you and I had time to retake the Orgo, I would. If not then don't worry about and do better in upper level sciences and the MCAT and you will do fine. At worst, you will have a chance to explain at interviews how you have grown from your last C+ in Orgo.

 

[Hah]

I got a C+ in Gen Chem I first semester of freshman year.... I hold multiple acceptances. Though going from A- to C+ might raise an eyebrow or two.

 

[BurghStudent]

Thanks for the responses.

When I took Orgo II I ended up with mono that semester and had to miss the first exam. I was in a constant state of catch-up after that. I explained this to my pre-med committee and they said they will specifically mention this in their letter.

Point is, getting that C+ was not my full absolute potential. I just had to deal with the situation and move on. Hopefully, schools will be willing to listen.

Thanks!

 

[eli20]

No, you can get accepted with a/a few C's in prereqs. As said before don't make it a pattern.

If you did well in orgo I and then dipped in orgo II I'd recommend taking Biochem and doing well - it can really balance out the dip.

 

[gravitywave]

You really need to work on those grades. A C+ following an A- looks pretty bad. For most schools, the requirement is around a C-. However, you should be focusing on doing your best 100% of the time. If you do that, none of this will be a problem. Hope that helps.

EDIT: I thought you meant the grade required to move on to the next class in a sequence, which is usually a C-.

Getting C's, in the case of getting into medical school, warrants retaking the course.

no, and no. One C is fine, just don't show up on their doorstep with a 2.0 sGPA, cause they won't open the door lol.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

If you get ANY C's, you should expect to be asked about it at each and every one of your interviews. Using the excuse you have would be a bad idea. Try to connect it to some motivation in doing well in the future and provide several examples.

Also, not having time makes very little sense. Spending potentially thousands of dollars during the application process, only to have to apply the following year because of these low marks, make little sense.

My applications will be free, but I see your point. I transferred into Vanderbilt and if I want to graduate on time I will be taking 16 or more credits per semester. These aren't sociology classes, it's typically something like physics/calc/psychopharm and a few others. I realize everyone has a full schedule, but this is my personal limit. Taking it over and getting a B because I don't have enough time to study would be pointless (even though it's slightly higher).

 

[transfec]

My applications will be free, but I see your point. I transferred into Vanderbilt and if I want to graduate on time I will be taking 16 or more credits per semester. These aren't sociology classes, it's typically something like physics/calc/psychopharm and a few others. I realize everyone has a full schedule, but this is my personal limit. Taking it over and getting a B because I don't have enough time to study would be pointless (even though it's slightly higher).

Either, sounds like a game plan. Best of luck 🙂

 

[transfec]

no, and no. One C is fine, just don't show up on their doorstep with a 2.0 sGPA, cause they won't open the door lol.

My point is that interviewers will certainly ask about it. One C IS fine. However, with it following an A, you should be prepared to answer for it in the best way possible. And with this, if one has prepared for it, allows a prospective medical student to shine during an interview.

As for your first "no" (lol) I had thought the OP was asking for the typical pre req requirement to advance to the next course in the series.

 

[gravitywave]

My point is that interviewers will certainly ask about it. One C IS fine. However, with it following an A, you should be prepared to answer for it in the best way possible. And with this, if one has prepared for it, allows a prospective medical student to shine during an interview.

As for your first "no" (lol) I had thought the OP was asking for the typical pre req requirement to advance to the next course in the series.

ok. but retaking a C is dumb, unless you are forced to by your program or whatever. take something else, dominate that, and learn something new in the process.

 

[Jstone123]

i would retake the C, it would help your mcat possibly too

 

[eli20]

I don't know how true the "YOU WILL BE ASKED ABOUT IT" mantra is. One of my best friends is applying right now and dropped from a B to a C+ in ochem II, It's her only C and she turned around and made an A in biochem. Has had 6 interviews and not a single question about grades.

I really think the importance of individual grades is overstated on SDN. Your cGPA and your sGPA matter - that true - But not a single person I know has had individual grades in classes brought up during interviews.

 

[gravitywave]

I don't know how true the "YOU WILL BE ASKED ABOUT IT" mantra is. One of my best friends is applying right now and dropped from a B to a C+ in ochem II, It's her only C and she turned around and made an A in biochem. Has had 6 interviews and not a single question about grades.

I really think the importance of individual grades is overstated on SDN. Your cGPA and your sGPA matter - that true - But not a single person I know has had individual grades in classes brought up during interviews.

👍

i applied with several C's, but a solid cGPA/sGPA, strong upward trend. at one interview i was asked about my only W, which was over 10 years old no other questions otherwise.

seriously, it's not that big a deal. adcoms understand how tough curves can be in some places, and they can definitely be persuaded to overlook Cs if they are obvious outliers. retaking Cs is silly, the thing to do is take the next course in the sequence (biochem is a good idea after orgo) and do well. or dominate the MCAT. nothing says "that C in orgo 2 wasn't reflective of my overall ability" like a 12 on the bio section.