LOR concern… will this be looked down upon?

[greenroses]

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Hello, I've been a long time lurker but finally decided to make an account because I have an important question.

This is my situation:

My grades for Gen Chem-
CHE 121 Gen Chem 1- C
CHE 123 Gen Chem 2-B+
Gen Chem 1 (retaken at another school)- A

We have this upper division chem course that's like Gen Chem 3 at our school but the official course name is CHE 347 Advanced General Chemistry.

a) I'm concerned because do you think it will look like I'm just retaking an honors Gen Chem 1 class?

The honors Gen Chem classes are actually even called "CHE 131 Advanced Gen Chem I" and "CHE 133 Gen Chem II." So it is really confusing. The course I want to take is above these courses (CHE 347)

b) Will it be clear if I didn't clarify it here that the CHE 347 Advanced General Chemistry is different from the honors gen chem courses?

c) The honors gen chem classes have the roman numerals after them, so adcomms will know that CHE 347 ADVANCED GEN CHEM I'm taking is different than the pre-req gen chems, right?

If I didn't explain it here would it make sense to you?

d) I most likely will be getting a letter of rec from this person, if he doesn't elaborate on the fact that it's an upper division course will it be ok? He probably will but I'm trying to just imagine the worst case scenario.

e) and if for whatever reason, I don't get a lor from this person, will it be an issue that I took this course? (because of the reasons mentioned above)

I read this thread awhile ago about "retaking an A in the same course" and I certainly don't want to seem like I'm doing that.

Thank you all for your time.

@Catalystik @gyngyn @Goro @LizzyM

 

[LizzyM]

It is clear to me that the first two classes you took were 100 level and this other course is a 300 level course. Intro Honors courses aren't 300 level. Are you taking biochem, too? I would think that's a better use of your time than something called "advanced general chemstry". Have you taken organic chem yet?

 

[Catalystik]

Hello, I've been a long time lurker but finally decided to make an account because I have an important question.

This is my situation:

My grades for Gen Chem-
CHE 121 Gen Chem 1- C
CHE 123 Gen Chem 2-B+
Gen Chem 1 (retaken at another school)- A

We have this upper division chem course that's like Gen Chem 3 at our school but the official course name is CHE 347 Advanced General Chemistry.

a) I'm concerned because do you think it will look like I'm just retaking an honors Gen Chem 1 class?

The honors Gen Chem classes are actually even called "CHE 131 Advanced Gen Chem I" and "CHE 133 Gen Chem II." So it is really confusing. The course I want to take is above these courses (CHE 347)

b) Will it be clear if I didn't clarify it here that the CHE 347 Advanced General Chemistry is different from the honors gen chem courses?

c) The honors gen chem classes have the roman numerals after them, so adcomms will know that CHE 347 ADVANCED GEN CHEM I'm taking is different than the pre-req gen chems, right?

If I didn't explain it here would it make sense to you?

d) I most likely will be getting a letter of rec from this person, if he doesn't elaborate on the fact that it's an upper division course will it be ok? He probably will but I'm trying to just imagine the worst case scenario.

e) and if for whatever reason, I don't get a lor from this person, will it be an issue that I took this course? (because of the reasons mentioned above)

I read this thread awhile ago about "retaking an A in the same course" and I certainly don't want to seem like I'm doing that.

Thank you all for your time.

@Catalystik @gyngyn @Goro @LizzyM

Taking a Chemistry class with a much higher course designation is highly likely to be interpreted in your favor. The only potential negative I see would be if you don't earn a good grade in the class. Getting an an A on the first round suggests that the issue causing the low Chem I grade has been overcome.

 

[greenroses]

It is clear to me that the first two classes you took were 100 level and this other course is a 300 level course. Intro Honors courses aren't 300 level. Are you taking biochem, too? I would think that's a better use of your time than something called "advanced general chemstry". Have you taken organic chem yet?

Yes, I am going to take Biochem and I have taken Organic Chemistry. I was planning on taking "Advanced Organic Chemistry" as well.

 

[greenroses]

Taking a Chemistry class with a much higher course designation is highly likely to be interpreted in your favor. The only potential negative I see would be if you don't earn a good grade in the class. Getting an an A on the first round would suggests that the issue causing the low Chem I grade has been overcome.

Okay I am happy to know that the course designation makes a difference. I am definitely aiming for an A in this course.