C in O-chem

[Mistress S]

Not to be too much of a neurotic pre-med, but I just took an o-chem final and am pretty sure I bombed it, which means I am looking at a C this term in the class (my school is on the quarter system; last term I got a B). I know this is not the end of the world, but I can't help feeling like I have this blemish now on my transcript that will be the first thing adcoms notice when I apply next year. My overall GPA is still good (3.8)and so is my science GPA (3.6), so how big of a deal is one C? Should I try to retake the class later, or would that just be a waste of time? Have any of you who have applied/are applying now received a C in o-chem, and if so, how much of an issue was it? For what it's worth, I currently attend a no-name state school, but I don't care about necessarily getting into a top 10 school or anything- as long as I get into a US med school, I'll be happy.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[nray]

Your GPA is good so you have nothing to worry about. And I wouldn't worry too much about one grade. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that ochem is one of those classes admissions committee look at to see how well you think. The fact you got a C when all your other grades are solid will definitely be a red flag that is brought up in interviews. Be ready to explain yourself, otherwise you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Trek]

No big deal. Just don't make it a habit, or make dumb excuses in your personal statement. --Trek

 

[SMW]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Trek:
•No big deal. Just don't make it a habit, or make dumb excuses in your personal statement. --Trek•••••Do not mention it at all in your personal statement! I had one C on my transcript (biochem) and it never came up in 13 interviews.

 

[willy]

You don't even know if you've gotten a C yet. Chill, B.

 

[Esco]

Got TWO, count them TWO C+'s my first year in general chemistry...got seven interviews at all top 25 schools and will be attending Penn in the fall...one or two bad grades doesn't mean a thing and they never ask about it (at least they never made it an issue in my case)...just keep that gpa up there and you'll be just fine

 

[Mystique]

Mistress S,
You'll be fine!! Don't fret anymore! No med school is going to close their doors to you b/c of one C! Don't retake the class...that'll be a waste of your time. Many who successfuly matriculate have a C or two or even more somewhere on their transcript, so just rest easy! Your grades are fantastic right now.

 

[UCMonkey]

I'm gonna agree with what everyone else has said. Just be able to explain the C in an interview. Do NOT, however, draw attention to it in your personal statement or bring it up if it is not asked about.

Take it from me: I too have one C in o-chem, my GPA is much lower than yours, and I've been on 3 interviews, and am accepted x2.

 

[Diogenes]

I'll add one thing. Most people are right that it is no big deal by itself, if you can explain it well when asked.

but DON'T GET ANOTHER ONE. Can't emphasize that enough. A bunch of C's will be hard to explain.

 

[Nogpa]

Hi all. I'm a bit confused now...the C seems fine to me, but you were all adamant about not mentioning it in a personal statement. Does that mean we shouldn't mention ANY of our academic, *ahem* shortcomings(ie my entire freshman year), or just don't mention those that appear to be anomolous(sp?)?

 

[trout]

I actually had 6 Cs on my transcript...(some were in random fluid flow classes, however 1 in orgo and 1 in Gchem) I stressed about talking about them in my essay but I figured making excuses was what got me into the situation in the first place...so I focused on my strengths...I did much better than I (or my pre-med advisor) ever dreamed in this application proces...focus on your strengths not your weaknesses...doing well on the mcats will easily make up for 1 or 2 Cs along with strong EC

 

[EMDrMoe]

I had 3 Cs and 3Ds (all in bio/chem classes) and mentioned them in my personal statement. I've been out of undergrad since '95, though, so I spun it to show how much I've grown. You'll be fine

 

[Ibis]

it's all over.....best to throw in the towel now <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Pity]" title="" src="graemlins/pity.gif" />

 

[willy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Mistress S:
•Not to be too much of a neurotic pre-med, but•••••One last thing, never introduce an argument with this line...

 

[megkudos]

Nogpa,
If you had a bad sememster or a bad "year" and have valid reasons or explanations, definately explain them in you personal statement. If it was just one or two grades, it is not necessary, and would probably seem "neurotic". A larger amount of trouble calls for some explanation. I did it in my personal statement (had a really bad first semester). It gave me a chance to explain myself. the best thing to do, like the previous poster said , is to show how you've grown, what you've learned, and why you turned yourslef around. Good luck.

 

[RNAgirl]

Several ideas:

(1) Rather than re-taking the class, take another class, such as biochem, that has o-chem as a pre-requisite (and of course, do really well in it).

(2) Do well on the biological sciences section of the MCAT.

(3) Don't mention your grades in your personal statement. Have a short answer ready in case an interviewer questions you about it. (However, I had two C's and a C+ on my transcript, and was never asked about it in any of my interviews)

(4) As others have said, with your high GPA and science GPA, one C will be no problem at all. (I had several and will be joining the MSTP at a top ten school this year)

Good Luck!

 

[A. Caveman]

yeah, you're toast. forget about your future. in fact..let me be the first to call you a loser.