Is B+ okay/good grade?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

2DEG

Senior Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2002
Messages
612
Reaction score
0
I feel bad to waste people's time for something so silly. But I just got my grade for a physiology course I just took. I feel like I could do much better even with my full-time work/family life. I guess there was distraction of med school applications etc. Bottom line - I should've put a little extra effort. I didn't do much study except two days before the exams.

I did take it as an honors course - so I will get honors credit. But I feel hesitant to send an update to my top schools with a B+. Even if it was A-, I would've sent a note to my top schools.

I am gonna work hard to get A in two classes that I am taking in Spring.

Any thoughts?

Members don't see this ad.
 
shahab said:
I feel bad to waste people's time for something so silly. But I just got my grade for a physiology course I just took. I feel like I could do much better even with my full-time work/family life. I guess there was distraction of med school applications etc. Bottom line - I should've put a little extra effort. I didn't do much study except two days before the exams.

I did take it as an honors course - so I will get honors credit. But I feel hesitant to send an update to my top schools with a B+. Even if it was A-, I would've sent a note to my top schools.

I am gonna work hard to get A in two classes that I am taking in Spring.

Any thoughts?

did you take any other courses concomitantly? if so, are they A's? What does the total GPA for the semester work out to be? If it's above a 3.7, I'd say send it. If it's just the B+ (3.3?) I'm not sure if I would.

I'm in a similar situation, I'm taking 4 science classes, and there's no A- (only B+, which is 3.5) - so i'm on the fence for a couple of them
 
you never have to send an update of your grades if you don't want to. i don't plan on it and i'm pretty sure most schools don't require it, and many discourage it. if you still want to show interest by sending SOMETHING in, you can always send a letter of interest or another letter of rec. chill on the B+ son. I'm probably getting a C this semester. no biggie.
-mota
 
Members don't see this ad :)
shahab said:
I feel bad to waste people's time for something so silly. But I just got my grade for a physiology course I just took. I feel like I could do much better even with my full-time work/family life. I guess there was distraction of med school applications etc. Bottom line - I should've put a little extra effort. I didn't do much study except two days before the exams.

I did take it as an honors course - so I will get honors credit. But I feel hesitant to send an update to my top schools with a B+. Even if it was A-, I would've sent a note to my top schools.

I am gonna work hard to get A in two classes that I am taking in Spring.

Any thoughts?

The application process is very difficult. I don't think you should worry too much about a B+. Just keep on stressing the good stuff about yourself and you will be fine, grades aren't everything at this point in the admissions process since the adcoms already have your basic stats...
 
femmedargent said:
did you take any other courses concomitantly? if so, are they A's? What does the total GPA for the semester work out to be? If it's above a 3.7, I'd say send it. If it's just the B+ (3.3?) I'm not sure if I would.

I'm in a similar situation, I'm taking 4 science classes, and there's no A- (only B+, which is 3.5) - so i'm on the fence for a couple of them

Actually, I didn't take any other class. See the thing is..until this past september, I had an unusually difficult schedule. Without going into the detail..I had no time to sit down to study before 2 A.M. any day of the week. So, thats why I didn't take more than one course per semester.

Even my mild hypertension is not there anymore!

However, now that my daughter is going to pre-school, our schedule is much better. I am finally tasting how good it feels to get more than 4 hours sleep. So..next semester I am gonna take two courses and also hoping to finish an independent study course. If I don't get in this year, I hope taking these courses will help me in the next application cycle.

Thanks for your input. I am not gonna update the schools at this point. I will consider doing that after next semester, especially if I am in the waitlist or something.

S.
 
shahab said:
Actually, I didn't take any other class. See the thing is..until this past september, I had an unusually difficult schedule. Without going into the detail..I had no time to sit down to study before 2 A.M. any day of the week. So, thats why I didn't take more than one course per semester.

Even my mild hypertension is not there anymore!

However, now that my daughter is going to pre-school, our schedule is much better. I am finally tasting how good it feels to get more than 4 hours sleep. So..next semester I am gonna take two courses and also hoping to finish an independent study course. If I don't get in this year, I hope taking these courses will help me in the next application cycle.

Thanks for your input. I am not gonna update the schools at this point. I will consider doing that after next semester, especially if I am in the waitlist or something.

S.


That sounds good. And if you interview, definitely let them know that you are taking a course on top of everything else you have to do- i think it shows commitment

And to Borat , one school that I interviewed at some time ago is holding off on a decision until my grades for this semester are reported. Three other schools have asked me for my grades pre-interview. So I don't think it's as uncommon as you think it is
 
So you wouldn't recommend an update letter with a B/B+?
I ask because I took 3 classes this semester, two A's for sure, one likely B/B+ in biochem.. I was really hoping to update the schools I'm waiting on with straight A's but I don't think it's possible at this point. Since biochem is a prerequisite for some of these schools tho I'm debating whether I need to send an update letter or not..

edit: omigod I've become one of those neurotic premeds that drive everyone crazy 🙁
 
angietron3000 said:
So you wouldn't recommend an update letter with a B/B+?
I ask because I took 3 classes this semester, two A's for sure, one likely B/B+ in biochem.. I was really hoping to update the schools I'm waiting on with straight A's but I don't think it's possible at this point. Since biochem is a prerequisite for some of these schools tho I'm debating whether I need to send an update letter or not..

edit: omigod I've become one of those neurotic premeds that drive everyone crazy 🙁
I think it depends on what your current GPA is. If you have a 4.0, and send an update of a 3.5, I think it *may* reflect poorly. This is my situation, I have a very good GPA, and wonder if there's any point in sending my new transcript if there is anything less than a 4.0 on it. I've got three high-ranked non-rolling schools to worry about, and yes, I am now neurotic.

However, none of my courses are prereqs. I think you should send it (why not call and ask first, though), to show you've done well this semester, and got a decent grade in a required course.
 
dajimmers said:
I think it depends on what your current GPA is. If you have a 4.0, and send an update of a 3.5, I think it *may* reflect poorly. This is my situation, I have a very good GPA, and wonder if there's any point in sending my new transcript if there is anything less than a 4.0 on it. I've got three high-ranked non-rolling schools to worry about, and yes, I am now neurotic.

However, none of my courses are prereqs. I think you should send it (why not call and ask first, though), to show you've done well this semester, and got a decent grade in a required course.
Hmm.. I applied with a 3.84 but this semester is about 3.8.. it'll bring my science GPA down a little too but I guess I'm being a little over paranoid! 😉
 
angietron3000 said:
Hmm.. I applied with a 3.84 but this semester is about 3.8.. it'll bring my science GPA down a little too but I guess I'm being a little over paranoid! 😉

I'm currently rocking a solid 3.27 with 4 more classes left to report grades 🙁 . This could potentially bring down my cum GPA by as much as 0.2 😱

Hope that puts some of you at ease
 
I got a B- in biochem, but A's in my other 4 classes. Do you think I should update the schools with these? I think TMDSAS lets you update the scores through them instead of through each school.
 
I got a B+ in organic chemistry and am on the verge of jumping off a cliff, being that its the 1 class ive take nthis quarter and i got a b for BAD
 
chaeymaey said:
I got a B- in biochem, but A's in my other 4 classes. Do you think I should update the schools with these? I think TMDSAS lets you update the scores through them instead of through each school.


If some of the other classes are science and it improves your BCPM, I guess.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
nekrogg said:
I got a B+ in organic chemistry and am on the verge of jumping off a cliff, being that its the 1 class ive take nthis quarter and i got a b for BAD

Dude, relax. it's like one grade. How are you able to only take one class? The financial aid office wouldn't allow me if I begged.
 
chaeymaey said:
I got a B- in biochem, but A's in my other 4 classes. Do you think I should update the schools with these? I think TMDSAS lets you update the scores through them instead of through each school.


Hi chaeymaey!

Yours is a different scenario. With 4 A's and one B-, that is a successful semester. So, if I were you, I would certainly update schools through TMDSAS.

Best wishes.
S.
 
shahab said:
I feel bad to waste people's time for something so silly. But I just got my grade for a physiology course I just took. I feel like I could do much better even with my full-time work/family life. I guess there was distraction of med school applications etc. Bottom line - I should've put a little extra effort. I didn't do much study except two days before the exams.

I did take it as an honors course - so I will get honors credit. But I feel hesitant to send an update to my top schools with a B+. Even if it was A-, I would've sent a note to my top schools.

I am gonna work hard to get A in two classes that I am taking in Spring.

Any thoughts?

a B+ is a good grade. no school is going to think less of you with one, whether you had straight A's before or straight B's. but you don't have to update them...i'd just send an update if i had something else to say too. otherwise, they'll get your grades eventually...
 
dude... most of my grades were b+'s and i am not worried...premeds need to seriously relax... academic performance is hardly anything... I am sure you have proved yourself capable of doing the work and thats all that matters
 
Highclimber said:
dude... most of my grades were b+'s and i am not worried...premeds need to seriously relax... academic performance is hardly anything... I am sure you have proved yourself capable of doing the work and thats all that matters

While I appreciate your reply, you don't know my situation. If most of my undergrad grades were B+'s, I won't worry a bit. I am not that guy who freaks out for getting a single B or B+.

I did my undergrad a while back and due to host of reasons and my immaturity, I didn't do well. I have been working as an engineer for last several years and for last 2 and half years, I have been taking all the pre-med courses. I did pretty well in the courses.

My undergrad GPA is definitely hurting me. Since I have been taking one class a semester, I think most schools look at that in a negative way. They want to see me taking more classes. I will do that next semester.

So..thats why I guess I am a bit disappointed in myself for getting a B+ in physiology course this semester since thats the only course I was taking.

Thanks again and thanks all for your input. Best wishes.
S.
 
mate...it sounds like you have life experiences that will show you are capable of being focused... honestly...there's nothing you can do about it... I guess my question would be why are you even asking the question. if everyone says yes it will hurt you are you gonna abandon your plans of being a doctor? if the answer is yes you have no place applying to schools in the first place. if you are true to your convictions, your record is your record... once you get to the interview you can convince them that you will be a good doctor... honestly grades hardly matter... Play to your strengths and acknowledge but don't dwell on your weaknesses and you will have a much smoother process...
 
apostrophes! c'mon we're supposed to be the "best and the brightest"


Anyway, look. People are sooo paranoid about grades. My first year in college i got 2 Cs 3Bs and 2As. then i took 7 years off... went back, got mostly As and A-s, but enough Bs and B+s to keep my head on straight.

and I got in.

I have a friend who did horribly her first two years -- Fs and Ds, quit for 7 years, went back, got a 4.0 and kicked serious butt on the MCAT and she got in.

They look for the package. Overall GPA is part of it, and one grade is part of that overall GPA. So relax, and make sure you keep some support. A B+ is a 3.3 at my school, and people get into med school with that GPA all the time.

Cheers, and good luck
 
A little off topic, but anyone know what the gpa vs. letter grade conversion is? Someone in this post said a 3.5 was a B+, is this true?? At my school we only get grades as grade points... I'm asking b/c I got a 3.5 this quarter in a micro. class. Thing is, I am pretty sure my prof. added up my points wrong before the midterm (only off by a couple points though). I didn't say anything, b/c I didn't want to be the "anal premed type" and lose respect from this prof. (I really like her). BUT, if this is the difference between a B+ and an A- maybe I should... I've never had a 3.5 before, so didn't see it converted on my AMCAS app, but I know a 3.6 is an A- and a 3.2 is a B+.

Also, recommendations about whether or not I should send in my grades this quarter? Applied with a 3.79 and am guessing my GPA will be slightly below that this quarter.
 
Lizanne, AMCAS says a 3.3 = B+. AMCAS says your 3.5 is an "AB", and a 3.7=A-.
The UW is crazy like that. At other schools you can get an A+ but at the UW you can only get a 4.0. So, at the UW an A+=4.0? (I know that other schools will only credit you that 4.0 instead of a 4.3, but what it means is that instead of the highest grade in a class being an A+ the highest grade becomes an A. Think about how that affects grades...That sucks to me. It skews everything. Anyway.... )
 
shahab said:
While I appreciate your reply, you don't know my situation. If most of my undergrad grades were B+'s, I won't worry a bit. I am not that guy who freaks out for getting a single B or B+.

I did my undergrad a while back and due to host of reasons and my immaturity, I didn't do well. I have been working as an engineer for last several years and for last 2 and half years, I have been taking all the pre-med courses. I did pretty well in the courses.

My undergrad GPA is definitely hurting me. Since I have been taking one class a semester, I think most schools look at that in a negative way. They want to see me taking more classes. I will do that next semester.

So..thats why I guess I am a bit disappointed in myself for getting a B+ in physiology course this semester since thats the only course I was taking.

Thanks again and thanks all for your input. Best wishes.
S.

Dont be disappointed in yourself....I got a B in physiology and I worked my butt off for it! I have never, ever, learned sooooooo much for a B in my life. I think you will be ok, especially since you are nontrad
 
Top