Hello, I am having trouble figuring out a situation that I am in. You see, I just finished high school and I am about to go to college. I took some college courses in high school, one of them being General Biology, and to my unfortunate fate I received a D in that class even though I worked through it. What I am asking though, is that even if I retake the class and (hopefully) get an A; would you think that adcom's would still use the D against me in the admissions process? I mean come on! It was during high school!
Honestly, How bad is too bad?
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D
da8s0859q
Depends on you and whether you retake. You've got a LOT of college credit to go -- an isolated D might be a talking point in a med school interview, but it's unlikely to be a make-or-break deal, assuming you've got a sound application otherwise.
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You need grades of C and above (not C-) if you want the class to count for your med school pre-requisites, so you're going to have to retake it one way or another, assuming you stay on this path. For the record, DO schools will only count the more recent grade for courses you've retaken.
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da8s0859q
Ahh yes, there's that too -- sorry, OP. Med schools do ask for a C or better.
Still don't think it's likely to sink your application by itself. I had one C on my transcript; was asked about it by one interviewer, but it didn't amount to much. That interview was at the school I am currently attending, for what it's worth.
Retake that bastard and destroy it. 👍
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Yep, agreed. I had at least 2-3 C's, a C+ or two, and a few B-'s, but I'm still here. Do as I say, not as I do, of course. 😛
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Unfortunately, every college class counts, but I wouldn't worry about it much. Have a good "real" college career and it'll seem like an isolated incident that may not even be discussed by ADCOMs.
I am not an adcom but I seriously think you should retake the course. you might be forgiven because you made this decision at such an early age but the process is somewhat straightforward and GPA is GPA no matter the age. I think they are most forgiving during those first initial years when you may not make the best decisions. in other words, do very well from here on on out and consider retaking the class. Good Luck!
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agree with milkman.
The admissions committee understands that you were in high school when you took that. So you made a D, so what. Don't think too much on it. You have about 40 - 50 more classes to take in college that will determine if you will make it to med school.
Also, some people are better at bio than chem and vice versa. Organic Chem at my school is the hardest class in pre - med, but I got A's in both classes. However, I just skimmed by in anatomy.
Don't let one class ruin your "dream" of becoming a doc if that is truly what you want. Retake the class, and try your best.
I had an easier time with my jr and sr level classes becasue they were less vague and more specific. That's just me though.
Best of luck.
The admissions committee understands that you were in high school when you took that. So you made a D, so what. Don't think too much on it. You have about 40 - 50 more classes to take in college that will determine if you will make it to med school.
Also, some people are better at bio than chem and vice versa. Organic Chem at my school is the hardest class in pre - med, but I got A's in both classes. However, I just skimmed by in anatomy.
Don't let one class ruin your "dream" of becoming a doc if that is truly what you want. Retake the class, and try your best.
I had an easier time with my jr and sr level classes becasue they were less vague and more specific. That's just me though.
Best of luck.
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Was it an actual college or community college level course? Or was it just an AP Bio course?
If it was an AP course and you were trying to get college credit by way of the AP test then it's really not going to matter at all. The AP score is really what the college looks at to give you credit for it, and even then, if you are going into any sort of science major chances are pretty good that are not going to accept AP Bio credit as their actual college level Bio credit, thus you're going to have to take Bio anyway.
If it was a dual-enrollment type course then yea, it's an actual college course and the grade will show up. But again, chances are that that level of Bio (even you got a C or above) probably wouldn't count as Bio credit towards a science degree.
This will of course vary depending on what college you go to. Ex: My undergrad had Bio course for "non-majors" and ones for "majors". I took AP Bio in high school, did well on the AP exam and only got credit as a non-major bio course, but without any sort of grade.
If it was an AP course and you were trying to get college credit by way of the AP test then it's really not going to matter at all. The AP score is really what the college looks at to give you credit for it, and even then, if you are going into any sort of science major chances are pretty good that are not going to accept AP Bio credit as their actual college level Bio credit, thus you're going to have to take Bio anyway.
If it was a dual-enrollment type course then yea, it's an actual college course and the grade will show up. But again, chances are that that level of Bio (even you got a C or above) probably wouldn't count as Bio credit towards a science degree.
This will of course vary depending on what college you go to. Ex: My undergrad had Bio course for "non-majors" and ones for "majors". I took AP Bio in high school, did well on the AP exam and only got credit as a non-major bio course, but without any sort of grade.
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