Does my D in a semester of Freshman Biology disqualify my prerequisites?

[sloppypapi]

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I recently graduated with a BS in Biology and a cGPA of 3.24. My transcript documents a very notable overall upward trend in which I received mostly As for my upper division biology courses.

Ideally, I'd like to think the adcoms could compare my poor performance in General Biology 4 years ago to my improved performance in rigorous, advanced Biology courses from my most recent semester.

Yet general biology is a prerequisite. I've read a few posters claiming medical schools do not consider a D as fulfilling the requirement and it will instantly disqualify the applicant. I've read others that say adcoms can overlook it if there is proof of improvement in that subject (ie my upper division courses). I'm beyond confused.

So, if I were to submit an application with my D grade (without doing a post-bacc as a supplement), would the adcoms have to dismiss my application based on that technicality?

Again, I'm not necessarily asking "what my chances are", though your input on that, with the limited info I've provided, would be appreciated. I just want to know if that is a technical disqualification.
TIA 😀

 

[sloppypapi]

Note: I've noticed some med schools will accept classes like genetics and cell physiology to fill the bio requirement. I've taken those and gotten B+s. In case they don't qualify my D in gen bio, will the adcoms still accept those two semesters over gen bio, thus making me an eligible applicant? Or am I reaching at this point? XD

 

[V5RED]

Contact the schools you are interested in and ask them. I highly doubt anyone on this forum is an expert on every school's particular policy on what they will accept as prerequisites.

 

[Catalystik]

Every school has its own policy, so it won't be possible to make a generalization. Check out the websites of schools you plan to target. If the information you want isn't on line, then call admissions offices and ask. Some will be willing to accept substitutes and others will be rigid in their expectations.

Edit: Ninjaed by V5RED, who had the right of it.

 

[sloppypapi]

Thanks for what I've gotten so far. I went ahead and did some googling. It appears quite a few schools state they don't accept anything lower than a C-, while others do not specify. I'll definitely contact the schools on my current list for some clarification.

If that's the case, does anyone have experience retaking a single course without enrolling in a post-bacc program. Would going the post-bacc route be worth my time if I'm only looking to raise one grade? Obviously, post-baccs never hurt, but I have to be mindful with how I spend my money.

 

[Life Sucks]

Ouch, that sucks. Biology can be a bitch first year. I wish you luck.

 

[Mad Jack]

Just take Bio I at a local community college. It'll probably cost you less than 500 bucks and make your application 100% viable for submission.

 

[sloppypapi]

Ouch, that sucks. Biology can be a bitch first year. I wish you luck.

Haha thanks. I need it. The worst part is I got a D in that class because of a foolish misunderstanding on my part. I probably would've gotten a C/B- but I had been submitting my papers wrong, so my professor didn't receive any of them and gave me no credit, despite all my desperate pleading. Meh, oh well. Never made that mistake again!

 

[Life Sucks]

Thanks for what I've gotten so far. I went ahead and did some googling. It appears quite a few schools state they don't accept anything lower than a C-, while others do not specify. I'll definitely contact the schools on my current list for some clarification.

If that's the case, does anyone have experience retaking a single course without enrolling in a post-bacc program. Would going the post-bacc route be worth my time if I'm only looking to raise one grade? Obviously, post-baccs never hurt, but I have to be mindful with how I spend my money.

You could retake the courses for DO schools...MD usually fact both grades.

 

[wtr24]

For what its worth, I got a D in freshman bio and am in my first year now. I know, totally anecdotal, but hopefully encouraging!