Is a "C-" considered a "C" for prereqs?

[Neuro178]

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So I've been accepted into my dream school, Penn, and I've run into a problem.. I'm taking biochem right now and I currently have a C+. I am really worried about the final, and I'm scared that there's a chance I might get a C- instead of the required C according to Penn's student contract thingy (green paper if you got one).

Anyways.. since my school grades on a +/- scale, do you think a C- would be okay? I tried calling Penn, and the lady I talked there was very nice and said it would probably be okay, but to check with Corky. I emailed her and haven't gotten a response back, and I can't stop worrying about this grade.

All this hard work to come down to one class! I feel slightly better in that the whole class is doing poorly (average is a low C) but that doesn't help my situation. Grades don't come out until January.. I hate the waiting game.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[doc3232]

There is a difference, but I think any school will forgive one C-...

 

[PaulieGualtieri]

For whatever it's worth, (even if it's just to make you feel better) I think you should be ok.

 

[Neuro178]

There is a difference, but I think any school will forgive one C-...

I sincerely hope so.. it's not like a trend or anything. The lowest grade I've ever gotten is a B!

 

[Ambient]

Talk to the professor. If you explain that your admission to dental school is contingent upon getting a C, I'm sure he would bump you up.

Don't they curve the class, though? At my school, most if not all science classes are curved to a B-, so even if the average in the class is a 50, you would get a B-. If that is the case (which I'm sure it is, a C- average for a class is unheard of), then your "C+" would really be a high B atleast, assuming a normal distribution.

 

[SuperTank]

Talk to the professor. If you explain that your admission to dental school is contingent upon getting a C, I'm sure he would bump you up.

Don't they curve the class, though? At my school, most if not all science classes are curved to a B-, so even if the average in the class is a 50, you would get a B-.

Man, I wish MY professors would have given me grades that I didn't deserve so that I could have a better chance of getting into dental school. But doesn't that seem a little unethical?

I would hope that the OP would study as hard as possible so as to earn the grade that they need. I would also suggest calling the school to clarify their policy. They would be able to tell you if a C- would fly or not. All pre-req's at the school that I got into require a C or better, but then they clarified that a C- does NOT meet the criteria, and you would have to retake the class.

 

[TJNova2011]

So I've been accepted into my dream school, Penn, and I've run into a problem.. I'm taking biochem right now and I currently have a C+. I am really worried about the final, and I'm scared that there's a chance I might get a C- instead of the required C according to Penn's student contract thingy (green paper if you got one).

Anyways.. since my school grades on a +/- scale, do you think a C- would be okay? I tried calling Penn, and the lady I talked there was very nice and said it would probably be okay, but to check with Corky. I emailed her and haven't gotten a response back, and I can't stop worrying about this grade.

All this hard work to come down to one class! I feel slightly better in that the whole class is doing poorly (average is a low C) but that doesn't help my situation. Grades don't come out until January.. I hate the waiting game.

Any help would be appreciated!

A C- and a C are not the same. Look at the amount of students on SDN that had to retake organic chemistry, for example, because they earned a C- in it.

 

[Vicviper]

I'm sure you'd be fine, especially since your previous history of high grades. From talking to people at a few schools, they just really want to see that you take the rest of your senior year seriously, and don't like stop going to class or something, or just give up studying when you get in.

 

[Neuro178]

Man, I wish MY professors would have given me grades that I didn't deserve so that I could have a better chance of getting into dental school. But doesn't that seem a little unethical?

I would hope that the OP would study as hard as possible so as to earn the grade that they need. I would also suggest calling the school to clarify their policy. They would be able to tell you if a C- would fly or not. All pre-req's at the school that I got into require a C or better, but then they clarified that a C- does NOT meet the criteria, and you would have to retake the class.

I definitely am studying hard for sure. He is not the type of prof to bump up grades for that reason anyways. And I tried calling Penn and emailing already.. still waiting for a response. At least one school, VCU, said in my acceptance letter that I had to get a C- or better, which is a little more relaxed.

A C- and a C are not the same. Look at the amount of students on SDN that had to retake organic chemistry, for example, because they earned a C- in it.

Very true. Sometimes that +/- grading scale can be mean.

 

[mueladeljuicio]

i dont wish biochem on my worst enemy.

 

[Tommy43087]

i dont wish biochem on my worst enemy.

I read this while i have my book open to the Enzymes chapter (specifically Michaelis-Menton derivations and double reciprocal plots) and i feel EXACTLY THE SAME

By the way, a Biochem cumulative final must be the worst thing on earth, given how much information is already in EACH CHAPTER!!!
19 chaps on one exam on wednesday! FML

 

[AnInconvntTooth]

I've got a Biochem cumulative final tomorrow morning...

 

[tRad]

Sorry to hear that, 75% of my bio chem class got a C or lower, which is just wrong, the prof. didn't even curve (final exam was 40% of your grade 😱). I was lucky to get a C+. Best adivice I can give you is do not worry about it! Worse case senario is Penn will just have you retake the class and you will deffineatly do better. Main point, DON'T STRESS!! You still have a semester. I wouldnt be surprised if they just let it fly due to your prev. grades.

 

[SuperPink]

there is a difference between a C- and a solid C.

I hope u pass your biochem class with a solid C so u can go to your dream school!!!! I know biochem is super duper hard cuz i just took the cumulative final for my biochem class a few days ago....it was a doozy that was worth 70% of my grade. ouch, but theres a GIANT curve. Does your prof curve?

 

[Neuro178]

there is a difference between a C- and a solid C.

I hope u pass your biochem class with a solid C so u can go to your dream school!!!! I know biochem is super duper hard cuz i just took the cumulative final for my biochem class a few days ago....it was a doozy that was worth 70% of my grade. ouch, but theres a GIANT curve. Does your prof curve?

He claims he doesn't curve, but I've heard from MANY students that they end up doing better than they had expected. Nevertheless, I'm not going to take a chance on what people claim.

The exam is in about an hour! Eeek! lol