Go to more interviews and risk failing?

[Hopkins2010]

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A few of you already know about my situation, but let me just reiterate: MY SCHOOL HAS THE MOST IDIOTIC ATTENDANCE POLICY.

Basically, I cant miss more than 11 classes without getting an automatic F in the course, REGARDLESS of my actual grade.

Most of my profs have been supportive, saying that they would let me sidestep the policy because of interviews. However, one (my physical chem prof) has said he will not give me an exception, even with my circumstances. Every single absence has been the result of a med school interview, and I have the documentation to prove it.

I havent reached the max threshold yet, but the next couple of weeks would put me over the top.

I really want to go to these interviews because they just happen to be at great programs that I'm really interested in.

I dont really need this class to graduate, I took it mainly because I was trying to get a chem minor and to take the 12 hours per semester required for financial aid.

I have tried to reschedule these interviews, but the med schools have stated they will not reschedule for January or later (I graduate in December).

I have tried speaking to the associate dean, but he said the authority rests with the professor.

What would you do? Just go to the interviews and fail the class? Or cancel the interviews and effectively end your chance of getting into the schools, because they wont reschedule?

I have a strong A in the class after 4 tests, so its not like I'm struggling to keep up. I cant believe the prof wont help me out. This class is important, but its not so important as to hinder MY ENTIRE FUTURE CAREER. 😡

 

[sandflea]

i wouldn't risk getting the F, because if it shows up on your transcript, you could be risking any acceptances you get--some schools will withdraw an acceptance with an F. so getting an F is completely not an option. your prof is a jerk! how many classes have you missed so far?

since failing the class is something you absolutely can't do, and you don't need the class to graduate, i would drop it if you still can. or withdraw from it--a W is infinitely better on a transcript than an F. maybe you can't officially say that you minored in chem, but you could say that you graduated with a 'chem concentration'. i know it sounds dumb, but a friend in college was one course short of finishing his business minor, and the department just told him to say that he 'concentrated' in business on resumes, etc, rather than minoring in it. but this is only if having some kind of official chem background matters to you.

you say you're definitely interested in interviewing at these schools, so you should go. you're only going to have one shot at them for the rest of your life and you shouldn't have to turn it down. it truly sucks that you don't have the support of your professor, but don't let it hold you back: my advice is to drop/withdraw from the class and rock those interviews.

hope this helps. 😀

 

[md2be06]

I'd drop the class and go to the interviews. It won't keep you from obtaining your degree, and will still let you interview at the programs you really want to attend. No one's gonna really care about a withdrawal this late in the game, especially given the circumstances.

 

[Hopkins2010]

Thanks for your input sandflea. Technically its too late to drop the class. HOWEVER, the chair of my premed committee said it might be possible to get a retroactive WP (withdraw passing) grade, so I'm going to look into that.

I've missed 8 classes so far.

What about getting a WF (withdraw failing)? Does that look any better than an F or is it basically just as bad? I thought about trying to explain my situation to the med schools. Do you think they would understand, or would they rescind my acceptance regardless of the circumstances?

I have a pretty high GPA, and although I would hate to see it drop at the very last semester, I have been working so many years to get to this point that I'm willing to sacrifice GPA for interview opportunities. I thought that interviewing was supposed to be somewhat of a reward for working hard the last 5 years in school, but now I'm getting penalized for it.

 

[DJ W.R.]

Sorry to hear about your situation bro. I would only go to your interviews if you would actually consider going to those schools...as you pointed out this affects your true future career aspirations. If you can't withdraw from the class then try to get a letter from your prof and/or the dean indicating the reason for your "F". Once the semester or quarter ends, forward this letter along with one that you have written to all of the schools that you are considering. Maybe even contact the dean of admissions of each medschool via phone to discuss the matter.

Hopefully you'll get an acceptance at one of your top choices so that you can limit your time off! 🙂

Good luck...

 

[watto]

Have you tried phoning Nancy Tillinghast yet? I hear she has an answer for everything.

Seriously, though, is there any way to graduate and then come back next semester and take an equiv. course?

 

[moo]

I'd drop the class, baylor21. Earlier this semester I missed my stat mech midterm because I had to go to emergency and even though it was just passed the withdraw deadline, I went to the Dean's office, spoke to the advisor, and she dropped me from the class... WITHOUT A W! I will have to make this class up next semester, which will be hell but it will be better than having a final worth 70% of the course grade.

 

[Original]

Baylor21 I feel your pain. I have not gone on a single interview but I have been out of town on conferences. I am fully booked for Nov and Dec for interviews. I have performed below my usual this semester and I'm really scared that my absence will really put me under. This is a huge source of a headache for me cause the situation can potentially jeopardize my plans. Any sacrifice in either direction can be seriously detrimental to my future career. What to do?

 

[saffron]

i know how you guys feel...i thought i was the only one in this situation...

basically, although my school does not have as strict an atendance policy, i have been missing so much class that i am getting a C in biochem right now. if i drop this class or take it pass/fail, i cant gradaute with a bio degree (i'll have to just keep english).

it's not just missing class on the actual day of the interview thats the problem. its the time i spend filling out secondaries (all before exam 1), talking to amcas on the phone everyday and following up with the schools (between exam 1 and 2), and arranging flights, hotels/hosts, blah, blah, blah...in the midst of this whole interview/application process AND trying to maintain a life, have fun my senior year, and keep a boyfriend, i have NO time to study...

add to that the fact that after starting to interview, my motivation level to keep up my grades has plummeted...im praying that no schools ask for my grades this semester...


😱 🙁