C's in med pre-reqs

[IndieMed]

Up to how many C's can you get by with on your transcript and still get into med school? Up to how many before you have to start retaking those classes (I'm talking about med pre-reqs here).

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[tunicaexterna]

I don't think a few C's would kill you but if there's a sustained pattern of C pre req coursework that will probably raise some red flags. I doubt there's a hard and fast cutoff for the amount of C's you can get.

Some will advise retaking if you have more than a few C's, others advise to take upper level coursework.

 

[Axes]

Just think, median gpa for med school matriculants is about a 3.7, so that doesn't allow for many Cs. I think you could probably get one or two without falling too far below the 3.7 mark.

 

[GrapesofRath]

General rule for DO is to retake C's and lower, particularly in important classes.

In general re-taking C's for MD purposes isn't doing anything for you. You aren't proving anything getting an A the 2nd time around. In the case of a number of C's in pre-reqs it could be a good idea to re-take some but be smart in which ones you do.

For example re-taking a C in general Bio is a complete waste of time. Do well in the many upper level Bio classes available and the C isn't nearly as big an issue.

For the Chem classes, re-taking C's in gen chem is foolish if you did well in OCHEM. Perhaps re-take OCHEM 2 if you really want if you got a C but doing well in Biochem will definitely help in that case. One could make the case that if you haven't taken OCHEM 2 yet retaking a C in OCHEM 1 might be a good idea to master the fundamentals in order to do well in OCHEM 2 but I don't necessairly agree with that.

For Physics if you got a C in Physics 1 but did better in Physics 2 I wouldn't bother with the re-take in Physics 1. Physics is the one subject where there aren't really much in the way of upper level classes to prove you worth for most pre-meds unless you are interested in taking higher end math classes(which is honestly a terrible idea if you are doing it just for the purposes of med school admission).

Also remember strong performance in lab classes can help your cause with a C grade in lecture. This is just an example of the type of logic to use. Always consider what kind of upper level classes there are where you can prove your worth and how feasible it is for you to take them.

 

[FutureOncologist]

General rule for DO is to retake C's and lower, particularly in important classes.

In general re-taking C's for MD purposes isn't doing anything for you. You aren't proving anything getting an A the 2nd time around. In the case of a number of C's in pre-reqs it could be a good idea to re-take some but be smart in which ones you do.

For example re-taking a C in general Bio is a complete waste of time. Do well in the many upper level Bio classes available and the C isn't nearly as big an issue.

For the Chem classes, re-taking C's in gen chem is foolish if you did well in OCHEM. Perhaps re-take OCHEM 2 if you really want if you got a C but doing well in Biochem will definitely help in that case. One could make the case that if you haven't taken OCHEM 2 yet retaking a C in OCHEM 1 might be a good idea to master the fundamentals in order to do well in OCHEM 2 but I don't necessairly agree with that.

For Physics if you got a C in Physics 1 but did better in Physics 2 I wouldn't bother with the re-take in Physics 1. Physics is the one subject where there aren't really much in the way of upper level classes to prove you worth for most pre-meds unless you are interested in taking higher end math classes(which is honestly a terrible idea if you are doing it just for the purposes of med school admission).

Completely agree with this. Retakes will do you well for DO schools. Taking upper-level bio classes will make the C in Gen Bio seem rather insignificant. For example, I made a C+ in Genetics, but I took an advanced-level Human Genetics and made an A. This isn't grade replacement, but I showed that I can understand the concept at an advanced level that shows I went through a rough patch in college (outlined in PS/secondaries.)

Also remember strong performance in lab classes can help your cause with a C grade in lecture. This is just an example of the type of logic to use. Always consider what kind of upper level classes there are where you can prove your worth and how feasible it is for you to take them.

This, however, only works if the lab and lecture are graded as one entire class. My gen chem/organic chem labs were graded separately from lecture (had two separate grades.) However, some upper level bio classes, as well as physics classes, integrated the lab and lecture into one grade. So yes, doing well in lab brought up a few grades in the latter classes, but wouldn't do me anything to bring up my lecture grades in the former classes.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Completely agree with this. Retakes will do you well for DO schools. Taking upper-level bio classes will make the C in Gen Bio seem rather insignificant. For example, I made a C+ in Genetics, but I took an advanced-level Human Genetics and made an A. This isn't grade replacement, but I showed that I can understand the concept at an advanced level that shows I went through a rough patch in college (outlined in PS/secondaries.)


This, however, only works if the lab and lecture are graded as one entire class. My gen chem/organic chem labs were graded separately from lecture (had two separate grades.) However, some upper level bio classes, as well as physics classes, integrated the lab and lecture into one grade. So yes, doing well in lab brought up a few grades in the latter classes, but wouldn't do me anything to bring up my lecture grades in the former classes.

I think you might have misunderstood this point of what I was getting at. I agree having it graded as one class and getting an A in lab can help mitigate a C however......

My main point in bringing up lab grades to help your cause is if they are graded separately it provides a opportunity to show you have gained some mastery of the material. If you get a C in OCHEM 2 lecture and take the lab a semester later and get an A that will help your cause. Alot of OCHEM lab is showing OCHEM from a different perspective; more emphasis on NMR, OCHEM literature, understanding experimental designs etc. This is different than a lecture class which asks you to vomit back 18 different forms of the aldol condensation and robinson annulation mechanisms on an exam. An A in a lab class which by its essence will cover some different material from lecture but in which knowledge of the lecture material can help shows can help to some extent mitigate the damage of the C in lecture by showing a comprehensive mastery of organic chemistry as a subject.

 

[FutureOncologist]

I think you might have misunderstood this point of what I was getting at. I agree having it graded as one class and getting an A in lab can help mitigate a C however......

My main point in bringing up lab grades to help your cause is if they are graded separately it provides a opportunity to show you have gained some mastery of the material. If you get a C in OCHEM 2 lecture and take the lab a semester later and get an A that will help your cause. Alot of OCHEM lab is showing OCHEM from a different perspective; more emphasis on NMR, OCHEM literature, understanding experimental designs etc. This is different than a lecture class which asks you to vomit back 18 different forms of the aldol condensation and robinson annulation mechanisms on an exam. An A in a lab class which by its essence will cover some different material from lecture but in which knowledge of the lecture material can help shows can help to some extent mitigate the damage of the C in lecture by showing a comprehensive mastery of organic chemistry as a subject.

That's where my opinion differs.

To me, getting an A in a lab but a C in the lecture only shows that you can follow directions and retain the steps to doing the reaction. (At least in my experience,) Chemistry labs don't really require you to go beyond what you need to know what's taught in the lab manual - unless, of course, you do chemistry research under a PI. The lecture gets down to the nitty-gritty(sp?) and really tests how you can conceptualize the material - from reaction types, theoretical modules, theories, acid/base / redox reactions, etc. - whereas the lab only teaches you the reaction steps.

But really it's subjective. You probably had a harder lab course than I did. My labs at my university were a joke and I made A's easily in them.