I have reasons for some sub-par grades, but didn't mention them in my PS . . .

[Carl Weathers]

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Are the secondaries a good place to do it, or wait for the to ask at an interview?

Here's what I'm worried about.

Spring Junior Year: C+ in Orgo II, C+ Genetics - both same semester

That semester my grandmother died. I had a very close relationship with her, she had a larger hand in raising me, than my mother. I visited her every weekend for the first 2 months of the semester. Found out she died an hour before my first orgo test, so I took the test a couple days later. I got an A in Orgo I for comparison.



Fall Senior Year: C in Biochm (but 'A's in all other classes)

I live in FL. We had 3 hurricanes and lost 10 days of classes that semester. During hurricane Wilma, I had to be at home helping my family for the 7 days we missed- meaning no power, busy making repairs to the house. So to solve the problem of the missed classes, our biochm professor deicides to combine the first and second tests together to make one big test. To be honest, it through me off, and that was the test that brought me down.

I'm not gonna be whiny if I talk about these things, and I know there are probably a lot of people with worse semesters than the ones I've had, but I feel like this stuff should be touched upon somehow. With those grades, I have a 3.6 GPA. I got a 32 (10V, 10P, 12B) on the MCAT, the summer between those two semesters, so hopefully that helps.

 

[Schaden Freud]

You call those bad grades? Pfah!

With a 3.6 and a 32, you have nothing to worry about! 👍

Are the secondaries a good place to do it, or wait for the to ask at an interview?

Here's what I'm worried about.

Spring Junior Year: C+ in Orgo II, C+ Genetics - both same semester

That semester my grandmother died. I had a very close relationship with her, she had a larger hand in raising me, than my mother. I visited her every weekend for the first 2 months of the semester. Found out she died an hour before my first orgo test, so I took the test a couple days later. I got an A in Orgo I for comparison.



Fall Senior Year: C in Biochm (but 'A's in all other classes)

I live in FL. We had 3 hurricanes and lost 10 days of classes that semester. During hurricane Wilma, I had to be at home helping my family for the 7 days we missed- meaning no power, busy making repairs to the house. So to solve the problem of the missed classes, our biochm professor deicides to combine the first and second tests together to make one big test. To be honest, it through me off, and that was the test that brought me down.

I'm not gonna be whiny if I talk about these things, and I know there are probably a lot of people with worse semesters than the ones I've had, but I feel like this stuff should be touched upon somehow. With those grades, I have a 3.6 GPA. I got a 32 (10V, 10P, 12B) on the MCAT, the summer between those two semesters, so hopefully that helps.

 

[ParvatiP]

If it comes up at interviews, I would mention about your grandmother. But I would leave out the hurricane excuse, because everyone in your class was affected by that and was "thrown off."
Your other grades are good enough for this to not really be a problem.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I agree. If they mention the grades, I'd mention a close family member passed and it was a rough semester for you. Other than that, you are allowed a "few mess" ups. Contrary to popular belief. Not everyone is perfect.

 

[BrianUM]

By any chance did you take Biochem with Ahmad at UM...I have a test coming up next Tuesday..hope it isnt too bad.

 

[Carl Weathers]

Yeah, had it w/ Ahmad. Just gotta know the stuff cold in order to do well. As I recall, your thinking abilities aren't challeged too much- you just have to know details, orders of steps in pathways, etc.

 

[BrianUM]

Thanks for the advice...would you reccommend reading the book at all or just knowing the slides cold or both. thanks

 

[63768]

mention the reasons if asked (whether in the secondary or in interviews), but i think you're fine.

 

[Carl Weathers]

Thanks for the advice...would you reccommend reading the book at all or just knowing the slides cold or both. thanks

Know the slides, use book to clarify/solidify things. I thought the Lipincotz Biochem, was helpful.

 

[durfen]

I'm kind of in the same position. I had a quarter (when something bad happened of course) where I got two B-s and a B. Ugh. First time ever I went under 3.0....Maybe they will ask in the interviews, if they care.

3.6 is not sub-par man, 3.2 is sub-par. And you got a good MCAT.

I also have never EVER seen 'threw' replaced with 'through'. Creative.

 

[Carl Weathers]

I'm kind of in the same position. I had a quarter (when something bad happened of course) where I got two B-s and a B. Ugh. First time ever I went under 3.0....Maybe they will ask in the interviews, if they care.

3.6 is not sub-par man, 3.2 is sub-par. And you got a good MCAT.

I also have never EVER seen 'threw' replaced with 'through'. Creative.

Nice catch. At least I didn't type "thorough," heh.

 

[MonkeyNuts!]

I'm kind of in the same position. I had a quarter (when something bad happened of course) where I got two B-s and a B. Ugh. First time ever I went under 3.0....Maybe they will ask in the interviews, if they care.

I got a C in Orgo 1 and Orgo II. Also got C's in the following engineering courses: Physiological foundations I, Physiological foundations II, control systems, medical imaging systems. That'd be 6 C's. A B- and a B is nothing.

I'm getting interviews. So to the OP, I guess this won't be the end of Apollo Creed just yet, not unless you come up against a Russian interviewer.

3.6 is not sub-par man, 3.2 is sub-par. And you got a good MCAT.

I also have never EVER seen 'threw' replaced with 'through'. Creative.

That means I am sub par. That's ok, I take solace in the fact that if this was golf, I'd be beating everyone.

 

[Law2Doc]

Are the secondaries a good place to do it, or wait for the to ask at an interview?

Here's what I'm worried about.

Spring Junior Year: C+ in Orgo II, C+ Genetics - both same semester

That semester my grandmother died. I had a very close relationship with her, she had a larger hand in raising me, than my mother. I visited her every weekend for the first 2 months of the semester. Found out she died an hour before my first orgo test, so I took the test a couple days later. I got an A in Orgo I for comparison.



Fall Senior Year: C in Biochm (but 'A's in all other classes)

I live in FL. We had 3 hurricanes and lost 10 days of classes that semester. During hurricane Wilma, I had to be at home helping my family for the 7 days we missed- meaning no power, busy making repairs to the house. So to solve the problem of the missed classes, our biochm professor deicides to combine the first and second tests together to make one big test. To be honest, it through me off, and that was the test that brought me down.

I'm not gonna be whiny if I talk about these things, and I know there are probably a lot of people with worse semesters than the ones I've had, but I feel like this stuff should be touched upon somehow. With those grades, I have a 3.6 GPA. I got a 32 (10V, 10P, 12B) on the MCAT, the summer between those two semesters, so hopefully that helps.

Good rule of thumb -- Only one excuse per customer. If you have an excuse every time you get a C, it just looks like you place blame quickly.

 

[notdeadyet]

Good rule of thumb -- Only one excuse per customer. If you have an excuse every time you get a C, it just looks like you place blame quickly.

Agreed. A few C's here and there won't kill you, but if you come across as someone who lacks accountability, that would be much worse.

 

[tinker_rebel]

So there's a lot of University of Miami people lurking on here. Ahmad....those were the good old days! Carl, you took that last year during all of those hurricanes too? Didn't you just love taking an exam over half of the semester? Anyway, don't worry too much about the grades. I think everyone has a few C's or B's on their transcripts. However, do be careful using excuses. I think the situation around your Orgo 2 grades is o.k. to say because losing a close family member is hard, but the hurricanes don't really excuse the biochem grade.

 

[christian15213]

Are the secondaries a good place to do it, or wait for the to ask at an interview?

Here's what I'm worried about.

Spring Junior Year: C+ in Orgo II, C+ Genetics - both same semester

That semester my grandmother died. I had a very close relationship with her, she had a larger hand in raising me, than my mother. I visited her every weekend for the first 2 months of the semester. Found out she died an hour before my first orgo test, so I took the test a couple days later. I got an A in Orgo I for comparison.



Fall Senior Year: C in Biochm (but 'A's in all other classes)

I live in FL. We had 3 hurricanes and lost 10 days of classes that semester. During hurricane Wilma, I had to be at home helping my family for the 7 days we missed- meaning no power, busy making repairs to the house. So to solve the problem of the missed classes, our biochm professor deicides to combine the first and second tests together to make one big test. To be honest, it through me off, and that was the test that brought me down.

I'm not gonna be whiny if I talk about these things, and I know there are probably a lot of people with worse semesters than the ones I've had, but I feel like this stuff should be touched upon somehow. With those grades, I have a 3.6 GPA. I got a 32 (10V, 10P, 12B) on the MCAT, the summer between those two semesters, so hopefully that helps.

When you become a doctor one day you'll look back at this REDICULOUS question and