Explanation for a C/C+/C- in interview

[iamdo]

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I do not have any explanation on why I made a C in Org Chemistry. It was just hard and prof was very hard in awarding grades.
What is likely explanation for interview?
I do not have any, really not any....
do you?

 

[PeachyPhd]

I do not have any explanation on why I made a C in Org Chemistry. It was just hard and prof was very hard in awarding grades.
What is likely explanation for interview?
I do not have any, really not any....
do you?

C=average. I explained my C's in organic this way. My UG school stuck to the bell curve so the majority of the class got C's. If I wasn't an all-star, I got a C. Chemistry wasn't my strength. I worked really hard for my C.

Bottom line: Don't make excuses!!!

Whether you were immature, lazy, confused, busy, or it was just challenging, talk about what you did, what you learned, and how you moved forward.

 

[iamdo]

C=average. I explained my C's in organic this way. My UG school stuck to the bell curve so the majority of the class got C's. If I wasn't an all-star, I got a C. Chemistry wasn't my strength. I worked really hard for my C.

Bottom line: Don't make excuses!!!

Whether you were immature, lazy, confused, busy, or it was just challenging, talk about what you did, what you learned, and how you moved forward.

Guess what, thats what exectly happened in my class but I was lost of words.
Thank you Peachy

 

[Prof Chaos]

I do not have any explanation on why I made a C in Org Chemistry. It was just hard and prof was very hard in awarding grades.
What is likely explanation for interview?
I do not have any, really not any....
do you?

I honestly think that what you just said is a much more mature and impressive answer than trying to pull some "Oh my girlfriend's mom's friend's dog died and I had a really tough time that semester". It demonstrates that you have taken responsibility for your work, even when it wasn't perfect, and are able to acknowledge when you need to improve. If you really want to hit it out of the park, follow up with an impressive little story about how that was a humbling wake-up moment for you when you realized that your study habits of the past were somewhat lacking and you re-doubled your effort and commitment and feel that having not done as well as you would have liked in that class has pushed you to become an even better applicant now.

If one C on your application is the worst thing you have to "explain" I think you are in pretty good shape. Odds are it probably won't even be brought up in an interview. Focus on your the strong parts of your application, and if asked about something weak be ready to give a genuine and mature answer.

 

[cbrons]

I got a C both semesters of Orgo. My first interview is this Friday but its closed so I guess they won't see that. At any rate, when I go to my first open-file, I plan to simply explain that I was busy as Chairman of student government (30hr per week committment) and in retrospect, didn't manage my time as well as I should have but will also provide insight into the things I've changed since then to ensure that I give my studies the appropriate time they deserve.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I got a C both semesters of Orgo. My first interview is this Friday but its closed so I guess they won't see that. At any rate, when I go to my first open-file, I plan to simply explain that I was busy as Chairman of student government (30hr per week committment) and in retrospect, didn't manage my time as well as I should have but will also provide insight into the things I've changed since then to ensure that I give my studies the appropriate time they deserve.

Geeze, your student government is brutal. Why would your student government require such a huge committment from you guys while simultaneously taking on a full course load?

 

[cbrons]

Geeze, your student government is brutal. Why would your student government require such a huge committment from you guys while simultaneously taking on a full course load?

They take shared governance seriously here... Mostly university functions like alumni stuff, admin search committees, etc.

 

[Ioriscrub]

I too had a C+ on my transcript. Mine was in General Chemistry I. Can't speak for osteopathic interviews but I was asked about it at an MD interview. I basically said that I messed up, that it was early in my freshman year and that I was still adjusting. (Not in those exact words of course) and my interviewer said that it was "pretty normal" and I felt that I still left an overall good impression on him. Then again, we'll see this October.

Bottom line: 1 C or even a few Cs are not showstoppers as long as your overall application is competitive. Just be honest and admit your faults without harping on it at your interviews.

 

[iamdo]

I too had a C+ on my transcript. Mine was in General Chemistry I. Can't speak for osteopathic interviews but I was asked about it at an MD interview. I basically said that I messed up, that it was early in my freshman year and that I was still adjusting. (Not in those exact words of course) and my interviewer said that it was "pretty normal" and I felt that I still left an overall good impression on him. Then again, we'll see this October.

Bottom line: 1 C or even a few Cs are not showstoppers as long as your overall application is competitive. Just be honest and admit your faults without harping on it at your interviews.

Thanks Ioriscrub for the encouragement.

 

[CopToEM]

I too had a C+ on my transcript. Mine was in General Chemistry I. Can't speak for osteopathic interviews but I was asked about it at an MD interview. I basically said that I messed up, that it was early in my freshman year and that I was still adjusting. (Not in those exact words of course) and my interviewer said that it was "pretty normal" and I felt that I still left an overall good impression on him. Then again, we'll see this October.

Bottom line: 1 C or even a few Cs are not showstoppers as long as your overall application is competitive. Just be honest and admit your faults without harping on it at your interviews.

I would even go as far as to say that no grade is a show stopper. There's more to a person than grades.

Now, if you have a history of poor grades, it paints a bigger picture. If you performed average or below average in one or three classes along the way it's not going to exclude you for anything.

They don't expect us to be robots. They expect us to be accountable, dedicated, motivated, and humble. Cover all those things and you'll be fine anywhere.

 

[GUH]

Will DO schools ask about grades for classes that have been replaced?

 

[jaywalk]

Will DO schools ask about grades for classes that have been replaced?

Well even if you replace grades, they will still see the old ones so i think in an open file interview, it will likely be asked. Especially if one has repeated a few classes.

 

[mmikey]

I told my interviewers when asked about a C in anatomy last semester, a few excuses and reasons why I would do better in medical school anatomy, then wrapped up with "if my application is viewed as a whole, my other grades and mcat score, you will see that I am a strong applicant and I will succeed. Bam, DO me plz.