Chem issues

[GonnaBeADDS]

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Hey guys,
So, I did pretty bad in Gen chem 1 last year and was told by an academic adviser that if I took an upper level chem course, it would in effect 'replace' the poor grade on my dental school application. They gave me basically two choices for upper level chem.
'Quantitative Analysis I'
or
'Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry'

Which would be better?

 

[4thMolar]

What was your grade for GC1? If you got a C- or below, you are going to have to re-take it b/c a lot of dschools have a pre-req requirement of "C" or above and a C- would be unacceptable. Even if you made a C, taking an upper level chem course will not "replace" your grade. On your AADSAS application you are going to have to report ALL classes taken, even the ones you did poorly in. If you made a C- and then an A, these grades would essentially be averaged.

From the two upper levels you listed, I don't think there is a preference for one over the other, but I would take quantitative analysis.

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

I got a C- in GC1. I want to retake it but my school's policy is that once a course is completed and a grade other than a W or an F is given, you are not eligible to retake the course. Could I possibly retake GC1 at another school?

 

[4thMolar]

I got a C- in GC1. I want to retake it but my school's policy is that once a course is completed and a grade other than a W or an F is given, you are not eligible to retake the course. Could I possibly retake GC1 at another school?

Yeah I would suggest re-taking the course at another local university, but try to not to do it at a CC since some schools also do not take CC credits. You can also try to see if you can take it online, so you don't have to commute to another university.

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

Hmm. Ok, well I'll seriously have to consider retaking the course. I'm in GC2 right now, and hopefully I'll do well in it, so I'll have that grade to support me. I really don't want to seem pessimistic, but is it fair to say that even if I take upper level chem and leave my GC1 grade at a C-, my chances of getting into d school will be slim to nil?

 

[iamgosu]

Well to answer your question, quantiative analysis sounds like analytical chem. So if you like doing a bunch of calculations involving titrations, Henderson-Hasselbach equations, and LOVE making solutions in the lab for instruments to run, take QA1.

Inorganic chem is much more interesting in my opinion though. The labs don't just involve making solutions, you get to synthesize compounds, and BEST OF ALL, some experiments want a DRY ICE/ACETONE bath! AWESOMENESS!
I <3 solid carbon dioxide!

And another note, how come these courses are considered "upper level" chem? Are they Junior level? These courses at my school are only sophomore level, and our school considers upper-level as Junior and Senior courses (300 or 400 level)

 

[doc toothache]

You are having trouble with lower division courses but you think you will do better by jumping into upper division courses?

 

[UndergradGuy7]

I got a C- in GC1. I want to retake it but my school's policy is that once a course is completed and a grade other than a W or an F is given, you are not eligible to retake the course. Could I possibly retake GC1 at another school?

Getting 1 C in a class is not bad. You can still definitely get accepted if the rest of your grades are fine. Do better in general chemistry 2 to show them that you know it.

I would be a little worried about the C-, I would call schools to check and see what you should do/if they will accept it. I know some people continue on with part 2 of the class while getting a C-, since the university allows it. But then they decide to apply to Med/Dent and are in some trouble, because they can't retake the first part of the class after taking the 2nd.

Also don't worry about the upper level chem courses yet, you still have to take organic chemistry I and II.

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

So, sorry to resurrect this thread, but I need to make a decision on my chem class soon. The schedules for next year have just been released and I have a week before I can enroll. ANYWAY:
I talked to a few schools and they suggested supplementing the poor grade (C- in GCI) with a (presumably) better grade in a higher level chem. Still, none of the schools I spoke with said which course to take. So I'm just asking for everyone's opinion:

'Quantitative Analysis'
or
'Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry'

Just out of interest, I'm leaning more towards inorganic, but I don't know which would look better to an adcom. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[two thirty]

Take organic 1 and 2 first. Honestly, unless you are a chem major, there is little to no reason to take any more difficult chem classes than you have to.

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

I'm doing Orgo I right now with a B average and I'm planning on taking Orgo II next fall, but I still need to pick a class for next year before they fill up, that's really the only issue.

 

[bing12]

So, sorry to resurrect this thread, but I need to make a decision on my chem class soon. The schedules for next year have just been released and I have a week before I can enroll. ANYWAY:
I talked to a few schools and they suggested supplementing the poor grade (C- in GCI) with a (presumably) better grade in a higher level chem. Still, none of the schools I spoke with said which course to take. So I'm just asking for everyone's opinion:

'Quantitative Analysis'
or
'Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry'

Just out of interest, I'm leaning more towards inorganic, but I don't know which would look better to an adcom. Any ideas?

Thanks!

I am not an expert on chem classes, but it would make sense that if you want to make up for anything, it would be by taking upper level bio classes that are recommended by Dental schools. If you want to make up for the gen chem, then do well on the DAT gen chem section. I dont believe upper level chems will be as relevant to Dschool as upper level biology courses. I personally did poorly in gen chem, and scored the 98th percentile on the DAT(gen chem section) by making sure I studied extremely hard in the section that I performed poorly in my undergrad(freshmen year.haha).

 

[two thirty]

I am not an expert on chem classes, but it would make sense that if you want to make up for anything, it would be by taking upper level bio classes that are recommended by Dental schools. If you want to make up for the gen chem, then do well on the DAT gen chem section. I dont believe upper level chems will be as relevant to Dschool as upper level biology courses. I personally did poorly in gen chem, and scored the 98th percentile on the DAT(gen chem section) by making sure I studied extremely hard in the section that I performed poorly in my undergrad(freshmen year.haha).

Exactly...it would be much more efficient to take upper level bios to bring up your GPA and to make up for the low chem grade by rocking it on the DAT. You're gonna kill yourself and potentially hurt your GPA worse by taking another upper level chem course on top of organic 2.

 

[GonnaBeADDS]

OK...definitely something to consider. Also, just while I'm building my schedule, are there any electives that dental schools would prefer to see? I have to fill a few arts / out of faculty credits to fill and I'm not sure what I should take.

 

[bing12]

OK...definitely something to consider. Also, just while I'm building my schedule, are there any electives that dental schools would prefer to see? I have to fill a few arts / out of faculty credits to fill and I'm not sure what I should take.

Listen...try to take classes you enjoy taking. not EVERYTHING is about what dental schools would prefer to see.haha. I personally have done many things outside of sciences that I really enjoyed doing and I was able to relate it to dentistry. When you enjoy doing a particular area of study, then your leadership/motivation truly comes out in my opinion.

 

[two thirty]

OK...definitely something to consider. Also, just while I'm building my schedule, are there any electives that dental schools would prefer to see? I have to fill a few arts / out of faculty credits to fill and I'm not sure what I should take.

Some schools require/recommend psychology or sociology. On top of that, it's mainly just some upper level bios(biochem, microbio, cell bio, anatomy, etc.) that are either recommended or required.

 

[rnewhou]

Listen...try to take classes you enjoy taking. not EVERYTHING is about what dental schools would prefer to see.haha. I personally have done many things outside of sciences that I really enjoyed doing and I was able to relate it to dentistry. When you enjoy doing a particular area of study, then your leadership/motivation truly comes out in my opinion.

+1. Make sure you meet the pre-reqs for the schools you want to apply to, and then take on some challenging courses if you feel you need to prove yourself because of a low GPA, poor grade in a class, etc. Otherwise I would say have fun. I took classes like whitewater kayaking and spent a few hours a week on the lake, and I'd do it again without hesitation. You're only an undergrad once, so take full advantage of the time you're there