C- in Chem 2, so I have to retake it???

[EZV32]

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Hi all:

I read in another thread that having a C- in Chem 2 will basically discount my application because most schools require a C or better in all prereqs. Is this true? Granted its not a great grade, but Ive been doing postbacc work for a while to boost my GPA. I have not retaken this class nor planned to. Does anyone know what the required grade is, if any, for the prereqs? I assumed you could still apply with a C-, but now Im scared.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[mlw03]

That's a good question because a lot of schools don't have -, so I'd check with the schools you're interested in specifically. It's always best to go straight to the source.

A more important question is whether you understand the material - not only is it important for the MCAT, but there's probably stuff in chem 2 that you'll need in orgo, so if you don't understand it now you'll be in trouble in the future.

 

[angstrom55]

I had received a C- in biochem and was worried about that as a prereq too. I had talked to my counselor at school and she said that yeah....med schools did have minimum grades you needed to get (which i think was a C). I never heard of them discounting the minus before though.

I'd say double check with the schools that you're going to definately apply to and get an answer from them. Personally, I retook my biochem class b/c i was paranoid about schools rejecting my app b/c of it....plus...I also didn't want that C- plaguing me forever hehe

 

[Sweet Tea]

This situation sounds familiar. I got a C- in gen chem 2 and didn't retake it. However, I did retake organic after I graduated (made As...who knew studying was so important?? 😉), and I had some good upper-level chemistry grades later on in undergrad. I also did well on the physical science section of the MCAT.

One of the schools I interviewed at said "You made a C- in chemistry? How do you even expect to do well in med school?". My response was "That was 6 years ago, and my study skills have improved significantly since then. My upper-level chemistry grades and MCAT score show that I have since learned the material." I didn't get in there, but after that interview I didn't really want to go there. At another interview, my grades weren't even called into question. I brought them up, and my interviewer said "Well, yeah, you made a C- there, but looks like you've improved since then so I really don't care about the C-." I got in, and I love my school.

If the C- was recent and you don't have any further course work to back you up, then you might want to think about retaking it. However if the C- was in undergrad and you're doing a post-bacc, and doing well, and if you do well on the PS section of the MCAT I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[TotalEclipse]

I got a C- in Orgo II as well. It was during the course of a really tough semester (due to personal reasons). I wrote my personal statement about what I went through that semester and how it has made me a stronger person and a good medical school candidate, and I let the adcoms infer that my grades slipped because of the experiences I had. When it came up on interviews, I explained why I had done so badly that semester, and I emphasized how well I did in biochem the next semester to show that the C- was just a fluke. I got in to medical school without having to retake Orgo II (thankfully!). If you can provide a good explanation for why you got a C- and show that your grades have improved, you should be fine. Good luck!

 

[OrGoMan]

I would retake the class, why go in with a C- if you dont have to?? If you retake, get an A or A-, I'm sure it will be forgiven. That is the only reason you should retake, to appease the adcoms, not because it will help in Orgo.. In fact, 99% of gen chem is totally unrelated to orgo. I could have taken orgo before Gen chem. gluck