How much do adcoms look at your full transcript?

[enfuego]

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I'm getting a little nervous, so I wanted to ask about this. My science GPA might go down to about a 3.4 because of one bad grade in one class (a C+). Without this one class, my science GPA is about a 3.55, but I'm a non-science major so this one bad grade really pulls down my science GPA.

I'm wondering how much in detail adcoms look at your actual transcript to see what grades you got in which classes. Or do they just look at your average? I also have a W in another science course, but not a pre-req course. I took an even higher level course and got an A- in the class.

My grades in science classes:

math - B
math - A-
math - B+
Bio 1 - A
Bio 2 - B+
upper-level bio - (W)
upper-level bio - A-
Chem 1 - A-
Chem 2 - A
Orgo 1 - B
Orgo 2 - C+

Am I okay? I know I need to do well in all the science classes I take from now on, and I should probably do well on the Orgo section of the DAT. I'm just really stressing out about how this one class is bringing down my GPA.

 

[doc3232]

I'm getting a little nervous, so I wanted to ask about this. My science GPA might go down to about a 3.4 because of one bad grade in one class (a C+). Without this one class, my science GPA is about a 3.55, but I'm a non-science major so this one bad grade really pulls down my science GPA.

I'm wondering how much in detail adcoms look at your actual transcript to see what grades you got in which classes. Or do they just look at your average? I also have a W in another science course, but not a pre-req course. I took an even higher level course and got an A- in the class.

My grades in science classes:

math - B
math - A-
math - B+
Bio 1 - A
Bio 2 - B+
upper-level bio - (W)
upper-level bio - A-
Chem 1 - A-
Chem 2 - A
Orgo 1 - B
Orgo 2 - C+

Am I okay? I know I need to do well in all the science classes I take from now on, and I should probably do well on the Orgo section of the DAT. I'm just really stressing out about how this one class is bringing down my GPA.

Orgo stands out...but I am curious also about how much adcoms look at your transcript. Will they notice a weakness in O-chem in the OP's case?

 

[USU24]

They probably would at least look at your transcript and not just your GPA. I know people who have been asked about W's. I also think they might be slightly concerned with the fact you haven't taken a lot of science classes. Just be aware that this is a possibility and have answers for their questions.

 

[enfuego]

They probably would at least look at your transcript and not just your GPA. I know people who have been asked about W's. I also think they might be slightly concerned with the fact you haven't taken a lot of science classes. Just be aware that this is a possibility and have answers for their questions.

Well, I'm a non-science major, so I don't have a lot of space in my schedule to take extra sciences. I only have one W on my whole transcript so I'm hoping it won't be that big of a deal.

I have been dealing with some medical issues this year, but my science classes were really the only ones impacted because they're so hard at my school. My non-science classes aren't nearly as challenging, so I could do alright even though I haven't been functioning to my best abilities. I don't know how to explain that without making it seem like I'm making excuses - I'm afraid it'll seem like I can't handle heavier course loads, upper-level classes, etc. Plus, orgo doesn't make a lot of sense to me - I was in office hours all the time having my TF and professor explain mechanisms and such, but I never really got it even though I do at or above average on tests. But I'm guessing that's not something you should say in an interview.

 

[Vicviper]

You're stressing WAAAAY too much, don't worry 🙂 . Having one C+ on your transcripts is not going to kill you, it will hardly show up as a blip.

If you are asked about it, say that you did your best and gave it an honest effort, and you sought out help as well. I got a D in the second half of Ochem, so I know exactly what you're talking about. But what made up for it was that I did well on Ochem on the DAT, and at my interviews I would back myself up with that and say how I think that shows my real potential and that I did learn the material.

I think the Adcoms will only give the transcript a detailed looking over if there is a low GPA involved, so that they can see what is causing it.

I also had some major family health issues when I was taking that class, and I was able to talk about how that effected my grade - there's a specific spot in the application where they ask if anything effected your academic performance. You'd right about your health issue there and that if effected your studies, and now you've done better in the meantime. I felt that explaining the other issues going on in my life at the time, combined with my decent Ochem DAT completely made up for the bad grade in the eyes of my interviewers.

And people need to stop worrying about W's, they hardly matter at all. Well, maybe if you have like 10, but that's another story. I had at least 6 on my transcripts and I never got asked about it at any of my interviews.

Again, don't stress, and you're in good shape! 😀

 

[USU24]

Well, I'm a non-science major, so I don't have a lot of space in my schedule to take extra sciences. I only have one W on my whole transcript so I'm hoping it won't be that big of a deal.

I have been dealing with some medical issues this year, but my science classes were really the only ones impacted because they're so hard at my school. My non-science classes aren't nearly as challenging, so I could do alright even though I haven't been functioning to my best abilities. I don't know how to explain that without making it seem like I'm making excuses - I'm afraid it'll seem like I can't handle heavier course loads, upper-level classes, etc. Plus, orgo doesn't make a lot of sense to me - I was in office hours all the time having my TF and professor explain mechanisms and such, but I never really got it even though I do at or above average on tests. But I'm guessing that's not something you should say in an interview.

I know it is tough for non science majors. Hopefully they wouldn't ask you question after question about your transcripts because it will seem like you are making excuses, you're right. But think of ways to make your short comings seem as plausible and non excuse like as possible in the event that they do ask. Then pray that they don't.