Incompletes...

[dlaqond]

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[Glandzburg]

Have you been taking incompletes for B's in the past?! Last time I checked, a B won't keep you out of medical school...

 

[Pacna]

B

 

[GrapesofRath]

What does a messy transcript mean in terms of your GPA and did you take your pre-reqs and do well in them.


Even a fair share of B's won't stand out to ADCOMs. Average MD Matriculant GPA's are in the 3.65-3.7 range; that averages out to a student getting a B in about 1/3 of their classes just to give an extremely rough ball park estimate and perspective.

Incomplete's, particularly a string of them, will stand out to ADCOMs. Take whatever hit in GPA a couple B's will bring you(and it won't be substantial) and do well in your post-bacc and those non science class B's won't be something ADCOMs spend too much time harping on.

 

[Glandzburg]

No, I ask because my transcript's messy (very high grades and very low grades, all in non-science classes). I'm a late comer to this and will likely pursue post-bac work. I need the "A." Still go for the incomplete?

People normally take incompletes for C's or lower. So when an Adcom sees that incomplete, what do you think they are going to assume?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Since when do people have a choice to take incomplete?

 

[gannicus89]

Since when do people have a choice to take incomplete?

EXACTLY.

 

[Glandzburg]

Does anybody think that I should avoid the B if I "need" the A?

An incomplete looks so much worse than a B....

 

[samac]

Does anybody think that I should avoid the B if I "need" the A?

No. The clear consensus is take the B. You need the A in every class, but it doesn't work that way for most people.

 

[Fedekz]

I would think that an incomplete grade wouldn't be looked upon very favorably... What would an adcom think? He can't even finish X class. Might as well be a W, but the incomplete looks worse.

At my school after 180 days from the end of the semester, an Incomplete grade on a transcript gets turned to an F anyways.

 

[GonnaBeADocOneDay]

I would think that an incomplete grade wouldn't be looked upon very favorably... What would an adcom think? He can't even finish X class. Might as well be a W, but the incomplete looks worse.

At my school after 180 days from the end of the semester, an Incomplete grade on a transcript gets turned to an F anyways.

Yes, IME incomplete grades will not stay incomplete forever. You usually have time to finish the requirements for the course and receive a grade, but there is a time period before you are awarded a F as a default grade. As I said, this is just my experience so look at your course catalog but you should probably try to just finish the class.

 

[samac]

I should have clarified that my school replaces the incomplete with a letter grade (i.e., leaving no indication of the previous incomplete). Does the recommendation to take the B still hold? Thanks all.

Yes.

 

[Grace184]

Take the B for the love of all that is holy (or unholy)

You can't retake classes in med school. Start forming good habits now and take the grades you get.

 

[Grace184]

I don't mean to be hard on you...I know you're new to this. It's just good to start looking at things like they're the real deal, like your only option is to pass. If you start that now, you're better prepared for things to come.