How would this look to adcoms

[deleted421268]

say for instance student withdrew from ochem 1 and lab and bio 1 and lab twice and came back to ace ochem 1 and 2 lab and lecture and bio 1 and 2 lecture and lab? Btw lecture and lab separate classes at school.

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[Alienman52]

They'd say it was great that you aced those courses the second time around, but they'd also be curious to know why you withdrew the first time around. They'd also like to be sure that you're a solid academic student overall now with no chance of failure in medical school.


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[deleted421268]

They'd say it was great that you aced those courses the second time around, but they'd also be curious to know why you withdrew the first time around. They'd also like to be sure that you're a solid academic student overall now with no chance of failure in medical school.


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My gpa is high and I have yet to take the MCAT. Basically the high standards of med schools and wanting to ace all my classes especially science are what led to those W's specifically. Found myself with one bad test grade and wanted to take W rather than destroy gpa. Again fact that standards are high for admission to med school.

 

[ciestar]

I was asked during an interview why I withdrew from ochem I. It depends on the interviewer whether they care a lot or not. But withdrawing twice? That raises some red flags so have a legitimate excuse.

 

[deleted421268]

I was asked during an interview why I withdrew from ochem I. It depends on the interviewer whether they care a lot or not. But withdrawing twice? That raises some red flags so have a legitimate excuse.

What should I say pretend an interviewer asks about W's what would be smart thing to say?

 

[Alienman52]

My gpa is high and I have yet to take the MCAT. Basically the high standards of med schools and wanting to ace all my classes especially science are what led to those W's specifically. Found myself with one bad test grade and wanted to take W rather than destroy gpa. Again fact that standards are high for admission to med school.

Normally you should never withdraw unless you have a C or lower because it essentially looks like you're failing. I'm not sure what I would say in your case. Perhaps just say that you wanted to give your absolute best and weren't doing as well as you would have liked.


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[deleted421268]

My gpa is high and I have yet to take the MCAT. Basically the high standards of med schools and wanting to ace all my classes especially science are what led to those W's specifically. Found myself with one bad test grade and wanted to take W rather than destroy gpa. Again fact that standards are high for admission to med school.

. To add to this also going for main goal of getting into MD school to add to this. But if no MD and DO acceptance than.

 

[ciestar]

My gpa is high and I have yet to take the MCAT. Basically the high standards of med schools and wanting to ace all my classes especially science are what led to those W's specifically. Found myself with one bad test grade and wanted to take W rather than destroy gpa. Again fact that standards are high for admission to med school.

And by bad test grade you mean? I was pulling a D in the course so i had no choice. If you were gonna get a B, you probably won't get cut much slack.

 

[deleted421268]

And by bad test grade you mean? I was pulling a D in the course so i had no choice. If you were gonna get a B, you probably won't get cut much slack.

I mean I got a D or completely did bad on first exam/quiz and the exams and quizzes are weighted heavily in those classes

 

[ciestar]

I mean I got a D or completely did bad on first exam/quiz and the exams and quizzes are weighted heavily in those classes

Got it. I feel you, same thing happened to me. I was just worried you were one of those neurotic premeds who think a B in a prereq (or any class) will keep them out of med school.

 

[deleted421268]

Also what you guys think of getting LOR from these professors as well? Ochem 1 and 2 lecture and lab same professor at school. Bio 1 and bio 2 lecture professors different and lab professor different.

 

[mwsapphire]

I have two W"s on my transcript and am not really worried. Withdrawing from one or two classes won't hurt you at all, but did you W the same classes twice? It sounds like you withdrew Orgo twice and Bio twice, so that's what, 4 W's? You'll definitely have to explain yourself, but if your gpa is high it really isn't the end of the world. Just say you weren't doing as well as you would have liked to do.

 

[deleted421268]

I have two W"s on my transcript and am not really worried. Withdrawing from one or two classes won't hurt you at all, but did you W the same classes twice? It sounds like you withdrew Orgo twice and Bio twice, so that's what, 4 W's? You'll definitely have to explain yourself, but if your gpa is high it really isn't the end of the world. Just say you weren't doing as well as you would have liked to do.

Lecture and lab separate so the W's would be orgo 1 W orgo 1 lab W bio 1 W bio 1 lab W bio 1 W bio lab 1 W. gpa is high as well.

 

[mwsapphire]

Oh so you really just withdrew two classes, you'll be fine! I have two W's and I'm not nervous, so longas you don't make a habit of it I think most people on here agree that 1 or 2 W's won't hurt you at all. I think some of the admissions faculty here would agree

 

[deleted421268]

Oh so you really just withdrew two classes, you'll be fine! I have two W's and I'm not nervous, so longas you don't make a habit of it I think most people on here agree that 1 or 2 W's won't hurt you at all. I think some of the admissions faculty here would agree

Actually that would be 6 W's :/

 

[mwsapphire]

Well...I think a W in a class and being automatically withdrawn from the lab don't count because then that would mean I have 3 because the W from orgo would also withdraw the lab. You withdrawing bio lab twice would be slightly problematic, but so long as you keep your gpa very high it isn't really a dealbreaker. If you go through the next 2 or more semesters with no W's you should be fine.

 

[deleted421268]

Well...I think a W in a class and being automatically withdrawn from the lab don't count because then that would mean I have 3 because the W from orgo would also withdraw the lab. You withdrawing bio lab twice would be slightly problematic, but so long as you keep your gpa very high it isn't really a dealbreaker. If you go through the next 2 or more semesters with no W's you should be fine.

That depends on undergrad school I believe if lecture and lab are separate credits and grades or not

 

[Turkishking]

Give an appropriate, and honest answer. As long as your GPA is fine, I think you will be fine. I have one W.

 

[deleted421268]

But what about getting LOR from professors whose classes I withdrew from?

 

[mwsapphire]

^ If you do well in the class the next time, after doing badly , they may actually write you a good letter, especially if the second time you used office hours and really improved your understanding, they'll write you a good letter talking about how you improved. The orgo prof at my school, she had students withdraw her class with a D/F and then take it again with an A/B, and the second time they utilize tutoring/office hours and make themselves familiar to her. In that kind of situation, I don't see why they wouldn't write you a good letter.

 

[deleted421268]

In general still confused on whether getting a LOR from professor who one withdrew from is smart or not?

 

[Goro]

I advise against it.

I think that you would too, if you thought really hard about it.

In general still confused on whether getting a LOR from professor who one withdrew from is smart or not?

 

[mw18]

Don't get a LOR from a teacher you withdrew from for the reasons you had to withdraw. If the reasons weren't that you were doing poorly, that would be one thing. But if he or she is giving an honest idea of what they've seen from you it's that you had to see the material more often and longer than other students and they know that you did poorly on initial tests and quizzes. Just a bad idea.

W's in general, in my n=1 experience, are overblown as costly on sdn. However, W's in multiple prereqs, and W's in the same prereq twice would be a red flag. I think you need to stack some upper level bios with solid grades and no W's on top of your two W's to show it isn't an area of weakness. Also, in the interview you should be more creative then that you didn't do well on an early assignment. I'm not saying to lie, but if the question isn't asked incredibly directly, then try to word it in a way that speaks less about you not wanting to tank your app.

 

[deleted421268]

Don't get a LOR from a teacher you withdrew from for the reasons you had to withdraw. If the reasons weren't that you were doing poorly, that would be one thing. But if he or she is giving an honest idea of what they've seen from you it's that you had to see the material more often and longer than other students and they know that you did poorly on initial tests and quizzes. Just a bad idea.

W's in general, in my n=1 experience, are overblown as costly on sdn. However, W's in multiple prereqs, and W's in the same prereq twice would be a red flag. I think you need to stack some upper level bios with solid grades and no W's on top of your two W's to show it isn't an area of weakness. Also, in the interview you should be more creative then that you didn't do well on an early assignment. I'm not saying to lie, but if the question isn't asked incredibly directly, then try to word it in a way that speaks less about you not wanting to tank your app.

What exactly would you say if you were in my shoes?

 

[deleted421268]

you guys think I have no chance because 6 W's I have? :/

 

[mw18]

you guys think I have no chance because 6 W's I have? :/

No chance is strong. It's just something that your application will have to overcome. The number of Ws isn't the issue though, it's the classes that they're in and that you took a major med school prereq 3 times.

What exactly would you say if you were in my shoes?

I don't know the situation. Were you taking a lot of hours? Were you early on in your undergrad career? Were you busy outside of school? Personal problems? What was the actual reason that you didn't do well on the tests/quizzes?

 

[deleted421268]

No chance is strong. It's just something that your application will have to overcome. The number of Ws isn't the issue though, it's the classes that they're in and that you took a major med school prereq 3 times


I don't know the situation. Were you taking a lot of hours? Were you early on in your undergrad career? Were you busy outside of school? Personal problems? What was the actual reason that you didn't do well on the tests/quizzes?

What you mean by no chance is strong? I feel reason was I didn't put in time i needed on daily basis to be successful in those classes

 

[mw18]

What you mean by no chance is strong? I feel reason was I didn't put in time i needed on daily basis to be successful in those classes

I mean that saying that you have no chance is probably too strong of language. You definitely have a chance. You'll just have to have a strong app otherwise and overcome it.

 

[deleted421268]

I mean that saying that you have no chance is probably too strong of language. You definitely have a chance. You'll just have to have a strong app otherwise and overcome it.

Like what exactly in my app?

 

[raf1ki]

I withdrew from ochem 2 twice before finally landing my only C in it. My explanation if they ask will be that I was still learning how to study and manage my time effectively. Hoping a strong letter attesting to my academic abilities from my biochem 1&2 professor will make up for it.

 

[deleted421268]

I withdrew from ochem 2 twice before finally landing my only C in it. My explanation if they ask will be that I was still learning how to study and manage my time effectively. Hoping a strong letter attesting to my academic abilities from my biochem 1&2 professor will make up for it.

I see

 

[deleted421268]

I feel that ochem 2 is seen as harder than ochem 1 and bio 2 seem as harder than bio 1 so that the good thing of this situation

 

[DatInterviewDood]

you guys think I have no chance because 6 W's I have? :/

gg.


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[aalamruad]

By far the most useful pre-med resource I have read is this ebook on Amazon. It is a MUST READ! Medical School: Little Known Secrets to Getting In by Dr. Adrian Aaron. I learned some tactics to getting in to med school that I would have never thought of. It definitely helped me get in! There are some critical information for pre-meds in this book!

Good lord, piss off

 

[deleted421268]

Otherwise 3.69 gpa, research with professor thus far one co author publication, plan to present at conferences, and obtain more publications while working on chemistry research, 2 hospital volunteer gigs, looking into 500 hour clinical internship paid, looking into obtaining patient care technician job at hospital, organic 1 and 2 tutor paid, TA 3 classes, volunteer tutor at center, non clinical volunteer hours through circle k, habitat for humanity, a non profit, and looking for another non clinical thing to do. Secretary for a club, and looking to move up from general member to exec board member in some of my other 4 clubs I am actively apart of. Also did shadowing of family medicine MD and DO, and also sleep medicine specialist. Only thing is have not taken MCAT.

 

[deleted421268]

Strong EC's, great MCAT, etc would definitely help. I had 3 Ws and wasn't asked any questions about them, but I did have different circumstances which I discussed in my PS (parent passed away). In the future, only withdraw from classes if you're getting like a C- or below. I think it looks better to be human and have a some Bs or even a C than to look like you're protecting your GPA by withdrawing. What's done is done, though, so try to strengthen your application however you can now with unique experiences and a great MCAT score.

How you think my EC's looking and what solid MCAT score should I aim for?

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

It would look exactly as you'd expect. They will be suspicious about why you dropped both of those classes twice. They will probably assume you did poorly on an exam or something. If the rest of your GPA and application is in line with qualified applicants, you'll probably still get interviews. But they might bring up the issue on the interviews.


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[deleted421268]

It would look exactly as you'd expect. They will be suspicious about why you dropped both of those classes twice. They will probably assume you did poorly on an exam or something. If the rest of your GPA and application is in line with qualified applicants, you'll probably still get interviews. But they might bring up the issue on the interviews.


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What you think about my ECs and GPA on above post in terms of being in line? Also what mcat score would be great based on my situation?

 

[deleted421268]

Aiming for MD schools but also willing to apply DO schools too when time comes. Plan on taking gap year working job while studying for mcat and taking it after done with undergrad with sufficient study time.

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

I looked at your prior post, and it looks like your ECs are great and GPA is in line. My guess is the fact that you redid those classes won't get noticed at first glance and assuming a reasonable MCAT score, you will get interviews. But your interviewers may upon closer review notice the withdrawals and ask about them. Just come up with a good and honest answer, and it won't necessarily be a deal breaker.

 

[deleted421268]

Also to add to post above also likely to be member of chemistry honor society at school as well! Chem minor

 

[deleted421268]

Ochem 2 and lab are seen as more difficult than ochem 1 and lab and same with bio 2 and lab seem harder than bio 1 and lab so that works in my favor. You guys think? Also took single course biochemistry 1000 offered at my school and did well! Wish I could go back in time and erase those W's and I'd be golden but it is what it is.

 

[deleted421268]

I think you need to stack some upper level bios with solid grades and no W's on top of your two W's to show it isn't an area of weakness

If I did a semester of Biochemistry and Another upper level biology plus it’s lab and did well than how would it effect my chance of gaining an acceptance

 

[deleted421268]

Ochem 2 and lab are seen as more difficult than ochem 1 and lab and same with bio 2 and lab seem harder than bio 1 and lab so that works in my favor. You guys think? Also took single course biochemioffered at my school and did weWish I could go back in time and erase those W's and I'd be golden but it is what it is.

If I did a semester of Biochemistry and Another upper level biology plus it’s lab and do well than how would it effect my chance of gaining an acceptance

 

[deleted421268]

If I did a semester of Biochemistry and Another upper level biology plus it’s lab and do well than how would it effect my chance of gaining an acceptance

 

[rabbott1971]

What exactly would you say if you were in my shoes?

What should I say pretend an interviewer asks about W's what would be smart thing to say?

You keep asking this, as though you believe that it would be appropriate to just say the most popular thing, or whatever might sound best. You need to tell the truth about it, period.

 

[Dremt]

I couldn't help but notice that you guys have so many W's... and all I have is this L

 

[Goro]

If I did a semester of Biochemistry and Another upper level biology plus it’s lab and did well than how would it effect my chance of gaining an acceptance

It's your entire app that will get locked at. Stop obsessing about a few classes. Do well....that's what we want.

 

[Lannister]

The W's aren't the issue here, it's how neurotic you're being that's the problem. Try not to let that show in your secondary essays.

 

[calivianya]

I just looked back through my transcripts and I have 7 Ws. I think you're going to be just fine.