Failed 1st Orgo Test

[daydreams]

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I am new to these forums so please excuse me if i posted in the wrong section. Everything seems to be going downhill right now. I just took my first Organic Chemistry 2 test yesterday and failed it. I scored the lowest in my class. We have a class of 150 students. I was thinking about applying to DO schools afterwards but at this rate, I don't think anyone would want to accept me.

When I took Organic Chemistry 1, I enjoyed it even though I didn't perform up to par with my potential. I ended up getting a D but I didn't take school seriously. Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about becoming a doctor and started studying hard. I studied a lot for this exam. Its not like I didn't try but I failed when I tried. I am very stressed out about this situation. I know its not advisable to take Organic Chemistry 2 unless passing the first course in the sequence but I talked with my professor and he assured me if i was willing to work hard, it shouldn't be a problem especially because the material is all new and very little is dependent on the 1st part of the course.

My current GPA at this point is a 2.2.
General Chemistry 1 + 2 (B)
Biology 1 + 2 (D)

I am of junior class standing, started school in the Spring semester so I still have 4 semesters left. Do you think its possible to get accepted into MD/DO schools without taking gap years? I am even considering going to the Caribbean. My overall goal is to become a physician. Is it all over for me? What should I do? Please give helpful suggestions.

 

[MedPR]

2.2 with 4 semesters left and no gap years? Impossible.

2.2 who spends the next 4 semesters getting only As and then a gap year or two? Yes, DO school is possible.

 

[Jas1360]

You have to retake those classes that you earned Ds in, get As, and apply to DO schools.

 

[Jas1360]

Also, you might want to withdraw from Orgo II and retake Orgo I first.

 

[uw0tm8]

OP,

I think you should consider a different career (and I'm being completely serious). Assuming you can get straight A's from here on out, based upon your lengthy studying resulting in D's, I'd say that's quite the stretch of imagination. I know you want to hear sunshine and rainbow stories or be "That Guy" who defied the odds, but it's not happening. If you have a 2.2 and failed Ochem I, then decided it would be okay to take Ochem II, probably going to fail that too, I would question your lack of judgement as well.

Let's face it, some people aren't meant to be doctors, and I have a feeling that OP is one of them.

At this point I'd be looking into a different profession.

 

[SOMBound13]

When I took Organic Chemistry 1, I enjoyed it even though I didn't perform up to par with my potential. I ended up getting a D but I didn't take school seriously. Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about becoming a doctor and started studying hard. I studied a lot for this exam. Its not like I didn't try but I failed when I tried. I am very stressed out about this situation. I know its not advisable to take Organic Chemistry 2 unless passing the first course in the sequence but I talked with my professor and he assured me if i was willing to work hard, it shouldn't be a problem especially because the material is all new and very little is dependent on the 1st part of the course.

Something doesn't seem right with your post. If you only recently been thinking about becoming a doctor, then why were you taking OChem I and II at all? What is your major? What had you earlier been planning for your future career?

Also, your statement about "enjoying Ochem I", but getting a D in it rings hollow. I can't imagine "enjoying a class" and then getting a D in it. Maybe end up with a B, but a D???

with the kind of grades that you've gotten in Bio I and II, and now in Ochem, why would you think that you have the aptitude for medicine? Just wondering.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

Your professor told you you'd be fine in orgo 2 after getting a D in orgo 1 because orgo 2 doesn't have much in common with orgo 1? Wat? The first class of orgo 2 usually starts off with the professor saying "alright, so you'll remember that in our last lecture..."

Something doesn't seem right with your post. If you only recently been thinking about becoming a doctor, then why were you taking OChem I and II at all? What is your major? What had you earlier been planning for your future career?

Also, your statement about "enjoying Ochem I", but getting a D in it rings hollow. I can't imagine "enjoying a class" and then getting a D in it. Maybe end up with a B, but a D???

with the kind of grades that you've gotten in Bio I and II, and now in Ochem, why would you think that you have the aptitude for medicine? Just wondering.

Not everyone who takes ochem is a pre-med. I took gen chem and intro bio as a psych major just for the hell of it, changed to neuroscience, and then took orgo because all my friends were doing it. I next took calculus I and II because I didn't want to graduate from college without knowing to integrate. Then in my last year I got curious about physics after hanging out on a forum full of engineers and physics majors, so I took intro physics. I didn't even consider going to med school until a year after graduating.

 

[rkmauria]

I'm sorry man, but Allopathic school is definitely out the window. A 2.2 is just way too low to bring up. You can retake those classes you didn't do well in and go DO though.

 

[VictorAlpha]

you should re-take those core pre-reqs that you got poor grades in. You should figure out how important this is to you and then learn to study much more productively.

You can apply and get accepted to an MD or DO program...it is just a function of how much you are willing to put into it.

If you were to take 100 students with your identical situation, I would guess that the average amount of work required to get that acceptance would necessitate high grades with greater than 1 year of post-bacc studies and/or a regular master's program with publication(s). Along with this would also mean higher MCAT scores (or a very high one if you haven't taken it yet), as well as the years of volunteering/shadowing that would be accruing during this time.

I believe that you (or anyone) almost never has to compromise on your dreams but you may have to seriously up your game. Good luck!!

P.S. if you are thinking specifically within a certain time-frame or something like that, you may be in more trouble. You may need to blow up the box just a little bigger to allow for more possibilities to get what you want

 

[daydreams]

You have to retake those classes that you earned Ds in, get As, and apply to DO schools.

So lets suppose I can pull that off and GPA becomes about a 3.0 after retaking them. Would MD schools be possible? How are my chances in that case with 4 semester still remaining?

I already took my mcat and got a 28 (10/12/6). The 6 was in verbal. I should probably retake it but I am confident in my ability to do well on mcat after retaking those classes. What should I do to improve the verbal section?

 

[SOMBound13]

Not everyone who takes ochem is a pre-med. I

I certainly know that. OChem was req'd for my major. I was really wondering what this person's major is since he only recently has been considering that.

OP...what is your major?

So lets suppose I can pull that off and GPA becomes about a 3.0 after retaking them. Would MD schools be possible? How are my chances in that case with 4 semester still remaining?

Probably not. MD SOMs don't allow grade replacement. Not only would your average still be low/lowish, but MD SOMs aren't impressed by A's when the same class is taken again.


You'd probably have to put some significant time between the poor grades and the good grades, take higher level classes, and do something between grad and med school app. And retake the MCAT...a 28 isn't going to do it with a questionable GPA.


BTW...when did you take the MCAT?

 

[VictorAlpha]

So lets suppose I can pull that off and GPA becomes about a 3.0 after retaking them. Would MD schools be possible? How are my chances in that case with 4 semester still remaining?

I already took my mcat and got a 28 (10/12/6). The 6 was in verbal. I should probably retake it but I am confident in my ability to do well on mcat after retaking those classes. What should I do to improve the verbal section?

To do better in the verbal you should look over a few practice books that explain patterns in the types of passages and questions that frequently occur and understand WHY they are asking WHAT they are asking. Repeat practice sections or passages under timed conditions. Keep repeating this and you should start to feel repetition in: the types of questions, the CORRECT answer options and the other (WRONG) answer options given for the same question....avoid the wrong answers and pick the right ones.

3.0 and 28 is not compelling for MD admissions. I would re-take and shoot for getting all the questions correct. If you graduate with a 3.0 your chances will be very low. BUT if you take a master's program and can sufficiently demonstrate that the 3.0 was the "old you" ...as in get like a 3.8 or 3.9 in a regular master's program you might be in a much better spot. ...I mean 33 MCAT with a 3.9 master's degree... I think schools would take a good look, and realistically that only means bringing your verbal score into a more acceptable range, but again shoot for all questions correct.

 

[neuro nephrons]

OP,

I think you should consider a different career (and I'm being completely serious). Assuming you can get straight A's from here on out, based upon your lengthy studying resulting in D's, I'd say that's quite the stretch of imagination. I know you want to hear sunshine and rainbow stories or be "That Guy" who defied the odds, but it's not happening. If you have a 2.2 and failed Ochem I, then decided it would be okay to take Ochem II, probably going to fail that too, I would question your lack of judgement as well.

Let's face it, some people aren't meant to be doctors, and I have a feeling that OP is one of them.

At this point I'd be looking into a different profession.

I'd be interested to see how you tell an obese patient that they need to lose weight. This post was particularly troubling to me.

 

[HughMyron]

Stop solely memorizing reactions and focus on following the electrons.

Also go to office hours. Nobody does, including me when I took OChem. The term I started regularly going to office hours was the only term I got an A. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[uw0tm8]

I'd be interested to see how you tell an obese patient that they need to lose weight. This post was particularly troubling to me.

I'd tell them if they keep up with their weight, as it is right now, they're going to develop a lot more problems down the line. So we have to get started on them losing weight as soon as possible. Then I'd start talking about diet plans and workout routines.

Do you even lift?

 

[daydreams]

Stop solely memorizing reactions and focus on following the electrons.

Also go to office hours. Nobody does, including me when I took OChem. The term I started regularly going to office hours was the only term I got an A. Coincidence? I think not.

I will definitely start going from now on. Thanks everyone for all the advice and help but I am confident I can attain a spot in MD school.

 

[daydreams]

To do better in the verbal you should look over a few practice books that explain patterns in the types of passages and questions that frequently occur and understand WHY they are asking WHAT they are asking. Repeat practice sections or passages under timed conditions. Keep repeating this and you should start to feel repetition in: the types of questions, the CORRECT answer options and the other (WRONG) answer options given for the same question....avoid the wrong answers and pick the right ones.

3.0 and 28 is not compelling for MD admissions. I would re-take and shoot for getting all the questions correct. If you graduate with a 3.0 your chances will be very low. BUT if you take a master's program and can sufficiently demonstrate that the 3.0 was the "old you" ...as in get like a 3.8 or 3.9 in a regular master's program you might be in a much better spot. ...I mean 33 MCAT with a 3.9 master's degree... I think schools would take a good look, and realistically that only means bringing your verbal score into a more acceptable range, but again shoot for all questions correct.

Does the postbac need to be in a field related to bio or can I pursue something interesting?

 

[MelonMan]

I will definitely start going from now on. Thanks everyone for all the advice and help but I am confident I can attain a spot in MD school.

 

[Jamie561]

I'd be interested to see how you tell an obese patient that they need to lose weight. This post was particularly troubling to me.

The post you quoted is 100% reality. I am tired of 1.8 GPA/22 MCAT/hard worker asking about MD chances. Reality check: hope, determination, fairy dust, reincarnation of AT Still are not going to get you into med school if your best effort yields a 2.2 GPA in undergrad.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[cerno]

I know this isn't answering your question, but you should seriously consider taking one or more gap years to strengthen your application. I also suggest retaking the MCAT down the line.

 

[neuro nephrons]

I'd tell them if they keep up with their weight, as it is right now, they're going to develop a lot more problems down the line. So we have to get started on them losing weight as soon as possible. Then I'd start talking about diet plans and workout routines.

Do you even lift?

so why can't you show a shred of humanity for the OP? Imagine the guts it must take to admit such poor scores and have you tell them to re-think their entire life plan. It sure may be unlikely that success will be achieved, but IMO cutting someone down like that over the internet is not the way to go about it.

 

[DavetheMD]

I will definitely start going from now on. Thanks everyone for all the advice and help but I am confident I can attain a spot in MD school.

Based on your username and the content of this post, I will confidently announce that you are guilty of trolling an Internet forum. Please cease and desist Sir./Madam

 

[uw0tm8]

so why can't you show a shred of humanity for the OP? Imagine the guts it must take to admit such poor scores and have you tell them to re-think their entire life plan. It sure may be unlikely that success will be achieved, but IMO cutting someone down like that over the internet is not the way to go about it.

When you fall into the ocean, you either swim with the killer whale or die with the baby seals.

 

[RuralPhysician8]

Does the postbac need to be in a field related to bio or can I pursue something interesting?

If you are not interested in the life sciences, what is drawing you to the field of Medicine? A post-bac program or masters in a biological or chemical science woud probably be best as you could integrate it very well into your personal statement, your professors would likely have ties to some medical institutions and would be able to write great letters of recomendation, and it would also help in preparing for the rigorous biological sciences in medical school should you be accepted. As far as your current situation goes, I agree that you are definitely going to have to push yourself. Find out what is keeping your grades down. Ask yourself...
Do I spend too much time with my friends?
Do I get atleast six hours of sleep each night?
Am I actually reading my notes/textbooks or I am just turning pages and trying to memorize formulas?
Am I spending too much time at work?
Am I over/under studying?

I believe in anyone being able to do anything, but everyone needs a back up plan; for example, if medical school does not work out for me I will be going into teaching or maybe physician assistant. Anything is possible, I am a tutor at my high school and I have seen 1.0 GPAs (literally) go to 3.5 and gain acceptance to top universities; is that scenario anywhere near the medical school route? No, but it does show a perspective. I wish you the best.

 

[deleted357625]

👎 Troll

 

[487806]

I will definitely start going from now on. Thanks everyone for all the advice and help but I am confident I can attain a spot in MD school.

I agree. The beaches and warm weather are fantastic in the Caribbean

 

[IslandStyle808]

I will definitely start going from now on. Thanks everyone for all the advice and help but I am confident I can attain a spot in MD school.

As an underdog myself, I respect your will.

However, what is your plan of attack based on what you have read here on SDN? And do you know the statistics of people who are accepted to medical school?

Try to remember the change needs to be really radical and you will not be able to go from a 2.2 semester to a 4.0 semester in less than a year. It takes time so please don't rush the process (you may need to go on at least a 5 year track instead of 4 which you are currently on).

 

[deleted393595]

I am new to these forums so please excuse me if i posted in the wrong section. Everything seems to be going downhill right now. I just took my first Organic Chemistry 2 test yesterday and failed it. I scored the lowest in my class. We have a class of 150 students. I was thinking about applying to DO schools afterwards but at this rate, I don't think anyone would want to accept me.

When I took Organic Chemistry 1, I enjoyed it even though I didn't perform up to par with my potential. I ended up getting a D but I didn't take school seriously. Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about becoming a doctor and started studying hard. I studied a lot for this exam. Its not like I didn't try but I failed when I tried. I am very stressed out about this situation. I know its not advisable to take Organic Chemistry 2 unless passing the first course in the sequence but I talked with my professor and he assured me if i was willing to work hard, it shouldn't be a problem especially because the material is all new and very little is dependent on the 1st part of the course.

My current GPA at this point is a 2.2.
General Chemistry 1 + 2 (B)
Biology 1 + 2 (D)

I am of junior class standing, started school in the Spring semester so I still have 4 semesters left. Do you think its possible to get accepted into MD/DO schools without taking gap years? I am even considering going to the Caribbean. My overall goal is to become a physician. Is it all over for me? What should I do? Please give helpful suggestions.

Maybe you're studying wrong for it?

 

[911 Turbo]

OP,

I think you should consider a different career (and I'm being completely serious). Assuming you can get straight A's from here on out, based upon your lengthy studying resulting in D's, I'd say that's quite the stretch of imagination. I know you want to hear sunshine and rainbow stories or be "That Guy" who defied the odds, but it's not happening. If you have a 2.2 and failed Ochem I, then decided it would be okay to take Ochem II, probably going to fail that too, I would question your lack of judgement as well.

Let's face it, some people aren't meant to be doctors, and I have a feeling that OP is one of them.

At this point I'd be looking into a different profession.

Hmm....

 

[uw0tm8]

Hmm....

 

[487806]

we have here not ONE, but TWO u wot m8s!