D in Orgo 2, Retaking Over Summer: Postpone App?

[MetsFan96]

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So just received a D in Orgo 2. Really disappointed in my grade, overall had a very difficult semester dealing with a chronic health issue that flared up for the first time in college. This dropped my GPA from nearly a 3.6 to just below a 3.5.

Planning on taking Orgo 2 again this summer, and will get a head start on the material again. It's a shortened course of only 5 weeks from July to August 10th, I should have my grade by August 20th.

I was planning on applying this cycle, I have my Personal Statement ready and aim to submit my AMCAS on June 1st. With a 515 MCAT and my ~3.5 GPA, I don't think I'll be screened out of secondaries. Should I go ahead and apply this semester, or will the D in Orgo 2 doom me before I can retake it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Did you mean 515 MCAT? In any case, I would apply with current grades, explain the situation with your health, and make sure you say that you are retaking this summer..then, send in an update once you get your grade.

Also, first day to submit this cycle is June 6th, not 1st!

 

[MetsFan96]

Did you mean 515 MCAT? In any case, I would apply with current grades, explain the situation with your health, and make sure you say that you are retaking this summer..then, send in an update once you get your grade.

Also, first day to submit this cycle is June 6th, not 1st!

Hi, yes, sorry haha 515- I'm a bit flustered and a bit scrambled after getting this grade in the morning.

How exactly would I explain the situation with my health, and that I'd be retaking this summer? My Personal Statement mentions the condition and how I've learned from it, but would I be calling schools and tell them I'm retaking the course?

 

[aymar]

Does your school have an appeals process for getting grades dropped? I know that my undergrad in particular had a process where you could have a course grade dropped if you can provide documentation that a medical condition prevented you from performing to the best of your ability.

It will likely not help you for this cycle unfortunately but is something to think about.

 

[Endoxifen]

Does your school have an appeals process for getting grades dropped? I know that my undergrad in particular had a process where you could have a course grade dropped if you can provide documentation that a medical condition prevented you from performing to the best of your ability.

It will likely not help you for this cycle unfortunately but is something to think about.

IDK, if you submit the appeal now and apply in June, it may be taken care of. You would just need to stay on top of it.

 

[MetsFan96]

Does your school have an appeals process for getting grades dropped? I know that my undergrad in particular had a process where you could have a course grade dropped if you can provide documentation that a medical condition prevented you from performing to the best of your ability.

It will likely not help you for this cycle unfortunately but is something to think about.

I'll look into this, definitely.

To you and others: Is there anyway I can mention that I'm retaking Orgo before all the way in August when I receive my grade? Although, I guess that wouldn't matter to ADCOMs since they'd rather see my actually improve, which isn't a guarantee theoretically.

 

[MetsFan96]

Also another v. important question!!----

My school does not calculate the 2nd time you take a course into your GPA. However, would the AMCAS Science GPA change if I included an updated grade?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

I'll look into this, definitely.

To you and others: Is there anyway I can mention that I'm retaking Orgo before all the way in August when I receive my grade? Although, I guess that wouldn't matter to ADCOMs since they'd rather see my actually improve, which isn't a guarantee theoretically.

There should be somewhere you can mention it, but you would have to find a way to work it in. For instance, many times a secondary application will ask about a time you struggled academically. You could put it in there. But no, there is no discreet section designated for you to explain a poor grade.

Also another v. important question!!----

My school does not calculate the 2nd time you take a course into your GPA. However, would the AMCAS Science GPA change if I included an updated grade?

I want to say, yes, it will get factored into your AMCAS GPA (both overall and science). You could double check this with a quick google search, though, probably.

 

[aymar]

I'll look into this, definitely.

To you and others: Is there anyway I can mention that I'm retaking Orgo before all the way in August when I receive my grade? Although, I guess that wouldn't matter to ADCOMs since they'd rather see my actually improve, which isn't a guarantee theoretically.

If you were to successfully appeal the grade and have it stricken from your transcript PRIOR to submitting AMCAS, I personally would not explain the fact that you are retaking the course. Most schools only require that you complete the prerequisites prior to matriculation, so they likely aren't going to raise any eyebrows/be overly concerned about one grade that it is pending.

If that avenue is not an option for you, I agree with the previous poster. You can explain that you are in the process of retaking it in the context of an "academic challenge."

 

[MetsFan96]

There should be somewhere you can mention it, but you would have to find a way to work it in. For instance, many times a secondary application will ask about a time you struggled academically. You could put it in there. But no, there is no discreet section designated for you to explain a poor grade.


I want to say, yes, it will get factored into your AMCAS GPA (both overall and science). You could double check this with a quick google search, though, probably.

If you were to successfully appeal the grade and have it stricken from your transcript PRIOR to submitting AMCAS, I personally would not explain the fact that you are retaking the course. Most schools only require that you complete the prerequisites prior to matriculation, so they likely aren't going to raise any eyebrows/be overly concerned about one grade that it is pending.

If that avenue is not an option for you, I agree with the previous poster. You can explain that you are in the process of retaking it in the context of an "academic challenge."

Thank you both! I'm going to explore both these options.

I've taken a brief look at this year's Secondaries for the schools on my list, and many of them seem to have space where I could explain an academic difficulty. Would you recommend that I submit my secondaries after I receive an updated grade in Orgo, or would I be wasting a precious 3-4 in waiting to submit?

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Thank you both! I'm going to explore both these options.

I've taken a brief look at this year's Secondaries for the schools on my list, and many of them seem to have space where I could explain an academic difficulty. Would you recommend that I submit my secondaries after I receive an updated grade in Orgo, or would I be wasting a precious 3-4 in waiting to submit?

You technically wouldn't be that late if you chose to wait until late August to submit your secondaries, so it really just depends on how much you feel this new grade will improve your application. You'll have to make that judgement for yourself.