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New SDN Article! 5 Tips as You Prepare for Step 1
Well, you can always retake the class after your second semester, Physics II. You will get extra practice in the second semester, and then retake the Physics I afterwards and probably will have an easier chance of getting a better grade.
I know a friend of mine that took the second semester of General Chemistry, even though he got a C in the first semester, got an A in second semester, and then went back the following semester to raise his General 1 grade up.
So since you are still plannig to retake the class you can go either way, retake it now or retake it later neither is really a loss.
Also don't forget that even though you ended up with a C, you still learned a lot of the Physics I stuff along the way, so it is not likely you will be taking the second semester on an empty mind.
I know a friend of mine that took the second semester of General Chemistry, even though he got a C in the first semester, got an A in second semester, and then went back the following semester to raise his General 1 grade up.
So since you are still plannig to retake the class you can go either way, retake it now or retake it later neither is really a loss.
Also don't forget that even though you ended up with a C, you still learned a lot of the Physics I stuff along the way, so it is not likely you will be taking the second semester on an empty mind.
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
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don't retake just get an A in Physics II and move in. C won't keep you out. retaking would be a waste of time and $$$
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
- Status
- Medical Student (Accepted)
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
- Status
- Medical Student (Accepted)
I am speaking from personal experience that a C is a terrible, terrible thing. (I have one.)
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
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- Medical Student (Accepted)
If you're confident that you'll make an A this time around, you should stay in the class. If not, I'd drop it and maybe take another course that requires physics I material and do well in it to show that you really understood the material. I got a C for Ochem II the first time, and I was horrified at first, but did well in upper division chem classes that required the material. I was pretty confident that I would do well if I took it again, so I did, and got an A. I think getting anything other than an A is not worth retaking.
- Jun 23, 2010
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OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
- Status
- Medical Student (Accepted)
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
- Status
- Medical Student (Accepted)
Do you have time to retake it?
Your GPA looks good, but I believe adcoms really look closely at your chem, physics, and ochem grades because they can often pick out who looks good and bad right away.
If it were me I would retake it because I personally can't have anything less than an A/A-. that's just me though...I would weight the pros and cons and see what fits you best. If you think it would make you a more attractive candidate then do it. If not, then don't. If you haven't taken the MCAT yet, it could help you on that section also.
Your GPA looks good, but I believe adcoms really look closely at your chem, physics, and ochem grades because they can often pick out who looks good and bad right away.
If it were me I would retake it because I personally can't have anything less than an A/A-. that's just me though...I would weight the pros and cons and see what fits you best. If you think it would make you a more attractive candidate then do it. If not, then don't. If you haven't taken the MCAT yet, it could help you on that section also.
Unless you go to a school that is super competitive and a C is not as bad as at other places (tough engineering schools maybe?), it will look bad. That being said, your overall is fine, and I would not waste time retaking. If you think a retake will be an easy A it may be worth it. I cannot imagine re-taking physics though *shudders*. One C (or even more sometimes) will not sink an application.
OP
- Feb 23, 2009
- 640
- 102
- Status
- Medical Student (Accepted)