Failing a course...

[nabeel]

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I'm in the first year of premed..
If I failed Bio, how much of an impact does that have? I have a B and over on all my other courses. I'm trying to find a answer but, we're on break and we don't get to talk to our advisors until we go back...
I studied quite a bit for this class and still didn't do well, I know alot of other people who didn't..it was a tough class...but, how much of an effect does it have? We have a chance to take the class over again, is the grade averaged or do they look at the new grade only?

thanks!

 

[DrMom]

Take it over and do really well. The MD schools count both grades (so an average, in essence) and the DO schools just take the 2nd grade.

There are many physicians and medical students who have failed a class along the way, so don't let this stop you.

 

[acl3623]

agreed. especially if you had an especially hard time adjusting to college or whatever...but make sure this is your last slip up!

 

[tinkerbelle]

Just retake the course and ace it 🙂 As Dr. Mom said, MD schools will average the two grades, but at least it won't hurt you too much. I failed a class freshman year and I still got a few med school acceptances. So you're still ok for applying to med school. Happy Holidays 🙂

 

[Shades McCool]

Challenge your professor to an ultimate biology death match for an A.

 

[Quynh2007]

.

 

[avinash]

I'm in the first year of premed..
If I failed Bio, how much of an impact does that have? I have a B and over on all my other courses. I'm trying to find a answer but, we're on break and we don't get to talk to our advisors until we go back...
I studied quite a bit for this class and still didn't do well, I know alot of other people who didn't..it was a tough class...but, how much of an effect does it have? We have a chance to take the class over again, is the grade averaged or do they look at the new grade only?

thanks!

r u indian?


Failing a course is no big deal, just retake it and get the A, i pretty much agree with everyone else's posts. its not the end of becomming a doctor.

 

[USCTex]

Challenge your professor to an ultimate biology death match for an A.

😀

 

[Lexian]

Challenge your professor to an ultimate biology death match for an A.

For some reason I immediately thought of the scene in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey where they challenge Death to a series of games to get back to the mortal world after reading that. Hah.

 

[SailCrazy]

Just retake the course and ace it 🙂 As Dr. Mom said, MD schools will average the two grades, but at least it won't hurt you too much. I failed a class freshman year and I still got a few med school acceptances. So you're still ok for applying to med school. Happy Holidays 🙂

Just to clarify. MD schools DO NOT average the two grades. They both count. That is a subtle but significant difference.

For example, if you get and F in a 3 credit class and an A on the retake, they don't average the two grades and give you a 3 credit C. You get a three credit F and a 3 credit A. (The GPA equivalent of a 6 credit C, if you're really hung up on the averaging thing - but it is really and F and an A.) As far as calculating your GPA it makes absolutely no difference if you re-take the same Bio class or if you take a totally different science class.

In fact, some people say that for MD schools you're better off not retaking the class and instead taking a higher level class and getting an A. (That does make the BIG assumption that you will get an A in the higher level class after doing poorly in the lower level class, and that you don't have room in your schedule for both the lower level retake and the upper level class.) Unless you got the bad grade because you totally blew off the class, I wouldn't go with this option.

Anyway, just a little more detail for you to play around with.

 

[nabeel]

Thanks for the replies. As for the class, he rarely gives out A's..5/6 people out of 400/500, it's a required course for either majoring in Bio/Pharmacy, alot of people take a hit. But either way med schools look at it, I gotta do better...

My TAs were much harder than others I've learned so that didn't help...not using that as a full excuse but after talking to alot of people, it seems that's kinda a big factor.
Lab practical average was around a 40..
Final exam wasn't much more.
Evolutionary bio.. 😱

If anyones wondering, I goto SUNY Buffalo

I think that the advisor also hypes it up alot to discourage people, oh well.
Gives me the summer to memorize the lab manual back and forth :-D

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I am amazed at how many people say "retake it and get an A" or "take an upper level course and get an A". If a person really studied and didn't goof off, what makes you all think the person can get an A? I personally am shocked at how many people fail courses and even apply to med school, let alone get in; i was always afraid a B or C killed the chances...so obviously I am wrong.

 

[CanuckRazorback]

Failing a class is not the end of the world, especially if it was a long time ago and you have done well in the class later on. I failed calculus-based physics II the first time around. My prof told the class he had to fail half of us to secure his job for the next semester... I just love the Canadian education system! I retook the class in the US and aced it easily. I was accepted to my state school and have interviews at top tier schools so don't despair.

Use your F to your advantage... I know this sounds weird, but it works. Acknowledge that you screwed up, explain what happened, and then tell them what you did to get back on top. You will probably experience some failures as a med student and as a physician. If you've been there already, you will know how to handle these situations. Just my two cents. 🙂


http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=2665

 

[Shades McCool]

Failing a class is not the end of the world, especially if it was a long time ago and you have done well in the class later on. I failed calculus-based physics II the first time around. My prof told the class he had to fail half of us to secure his job for the next semester... I just love the Canadian education system! I retook the class in the US and aced it easily. I was accepted to my state school and have interviews at top tier schools so don't despair.

Use your F to your advantage... I know this sounds weird, but it works. Acknowledge that you screwed up, explain what happened, and then tell them what you did to get back on top. You will probably experience some failures as a med student and as a physician. If you've been there already, you will know how to handle these situations. Just my two cents. 🙂


http://mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=2665

Sorry we had to embarass Matt Jones and company this year 😉

War Damn Eagle

 

[tinkerbelle]

I am amazed at how many people say "retake it and get an A" or "take an upper level course and get an A". If a person really studied and didn't goof off, what makes you all think the person can get an A?

For me, I just never understood orgo 1 (hence the C). And then going into orgo 2, I was so totally confused (hence another C). And I really did study. Something wasn't just clicking. And then when I retook Orgo 2, I had this amazing teacher and everything made sense. And I did get an A. And this is why I tell people to retake classes and get an A.

I personally am shocked at how many people fail courses and even apply to med school, let alone get in; i was always afraid a B or C killed the chances...so obviously I am wrong.

Yup. You're wrong. A B is a perfectly fine grade. And a C isn't the end of the world. Neither is failing a class. I know getting good grades is important. But people like me who have a few crappy grades still get into plenty of schools 🙂

Anyways. I hope all your interviews are going well Psycho

 

[tinkerbelle]

Just to clarify. MD schools DO NOT average the two grades. They both count. That is a subtle but significant difference.

Oh right. I keep forgeting (gosh.. i'm getting old ). I guess average isn't the correct term. I know they both count. But your A + C still turns out to be a B.

 

[SailCrazy]

But your A + C still turns out to be a B.

No... They turn out to be 2 B's!

 

[tinkerbelle]

No... They turn out to be 2 B's!

Righttt.... you'd think being a math teacher, I would be able to do simple math

 

[Sanctuary]

One thing that I don't believe has been mentioned is that if you failed - "F" a science class, and a general university level bio at that, you might want to think about pre-med all over again. These classes don't get any easier as you make your way up the science ladder. If you tried your best and received an "F", I'd reevaluate your future career objectives. You may be better off in a field of study that you grasp more easily, and enjoy more! ..Just food for thought..

 

[Psycho Doctor]

For me, I just never understood orgo 1 (hence the C). And then going into orgo 2, I was so totally confused (hence another C). And I really did study. Something wasn't just clicking. And then when I retook Orgo 2, I had this amazing teacher and everything made sense. And I did get an A. And this is why I tell people to retake classes and get an A.

ok, point taken. But it's not true for many people. Also on a similar note, I'm always amazed at people who get a relatively low score on a test like MCAT or SATs and then they say "retaking, will get a 40 on retake" or "retaking in the spring, will get a 1540". How can one say that after doing poorly the first time?

Yup. You're wrong. A B is a perfectly fine grade. And a C isn't the end of the world. Neither is failing a class. I know getting good grades is important. But people like me who have a few crappy grades still get into plenty of schools 🙂

Anyways. I hope all your interviews are going well Psycho

I guess I was taught that B's suck until I got my first one..but it did take me awhile to get over it...and then it was easier to accept the next time. And I know you don't have crappy grades.

Thanks, interviews went well so far...now i just need an acceptance and then back on the interview trail.

 

[exilio]

I am amazed at how many people say "retake it and get an A" or "take an upper level course and get an A". If a person really studied and didn't goof off, what makes you all think the person can get an A? I personally am shocked at how many people fail courses and even apply to med school, let alone get in; i was always afraid a B or C killed the chances...so obviously I am wrong.

Wow. I mean man, you are jsut a tad intense. I am of the belief that a B is something I would rather never have, but your attitude is really scary.

People may fail classes and stiull be doctors and we should all be fine with that as long as it is not a pattern. There could be a myriad of reasons why someone fails, the key thing is, what they do next. Do they adjust and learn? Or fall about and fail again?

I am more impressed with someone that has failed and comeback to do well than someone who does well all the time...why? Because all A's proves only that they can get good grades, but it tells me little about their character. However, a person that is able to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and improves...that person has shown a lot of character.

 

[CanuckRazorback]

Sorry we had to embarass Matt Jones and company this year 😉

War Damn Eagle

It's okay, we'll take care of you guys on the track... 😀

 

[kc222]

You don't need straight A's to get into med school - altho it does helps. however, you could take another bio class and do well in that...since it's your first year of premed you have the advantage of doing well in future courses so med schools like it when they see an upward trend. and also since it's early in the game you should take a look at the thread about "How do you study" cuz that'll possible give you tools of success for future classes. So keep ya head up and stay positive.