Minimum grade for prereqs

[BAMF]

A couple of people have told me that the minimum grade for a prereq is a C, which makes sense! However, I've looked at a bunch of medical schools' websites as well as MSAR and I have yet to see any specific grade requirements, except for one school that requires a C- or higher. So I was just wondering, is there an actual minimum grade requirement for the prerequisite courses or is the C just a guideline?

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[slatermd]

Shoot man, I'd retake that C- in your prereqs if you get a chance.

AFAIK most places that screen do so using your GPA and MCAT, not pluses and minuses, but in a game this cutthroat you don't want to apply with something that their website says is unacceptable.

You would get the best answers by calling the schools to which you'd like to apply and asking them if they'll consider an applicant who has a C- in a prerequisite course. Also, if the prereq C- was done at a community college, that could be a problem.

 

[two thirty]

It might be different for you pre-meds, but pretty much every dental school requires at least a grade of a C. I would think it would be the same case though.

 

[Ride Big Sky]

I know of a few schools out there that will make you retake any class that you got a C- or below in order for it to count as a prereq. Honestly the prereqs are very straight forward and there is no reason to score that low in any of them.

 

[BAMF]

I know of a few schools out there that will make you retake any class that you got a C- or below in order for it to count as a prereq. Honestly the prereqs are very straight forward and there is no reason to score that low in any of them.

Which schools, for example?

And yeah, prereqs are easy but what's done is done. 😛

 

[Adaggiote]

The minimum is a C, but why take a C when you can make an A!

 

[BAMF]

Another question: Would an A in a upper level chemistry class (not organic, but maybe advanced inorganic or physical chemistry) be able to replace a C- in a general chemistry class? I know a lot of people don't recommend it, but I had an A- in chemistry but never showed up to the final or lab so they gave me a C-, ha.

 

[sc4s2cg]

I prefer to think of a minimum grade for med school to be an A.

It's hard to get a C when the minimum is an A. 🙂

 

[transfec]

Shooting to only get by won't get you one acceptance, not that that's what you're doing...

 

[PD187540]

Shoot man, I'd retake that C- in your prereqs if you get a chance.

AFAIK most places that screen do so using your GPA and MCAT, not pluses and minuses, but in a game this cutthroat you don't want to apply with something that their website says is unacceptable.

You would get the best answers by calling the schools to which you'd like to apply and asking them if they'll consider an applicant who has a C- in a prerequisite course. Also, if the prereq C- was done at a community college, that could be a problem.

What difference does it make if the courses are taken at a community college or not? Right now, I'm taking Physics I (with II to follow over the summer) at my local community college. My undergrad GPA is 3.97, so as long as I get a minimum C in both courses, they should count. And the best part is that I don't think that's factored into my overall GPA 🙂. The 3.97 stands as is.

Secondly, I asked a medical school if they accept community college courses. They wrote me back saying that it's "preferred" that you take them at a 4-year university, and if not, I'd have to write a letter stating why I took Physics at a community college (which I found to be ridiculous). My reasons are: 1) in this economy, taking them at a CC is more cost-effective (if you think med students are broke, imagine pre-meds!), and 2) CC credits (at least at my CC) are transferable to other institutions (like towards a bachelor's degree), so why would they not count??? That practically shut them up lol

So yes, if you have any pre-reqs to take, take them at a CC. As long as you get a minimum C, it doesn't matter.


P.S. And where Physics is concerned, I've got a "heavy A" so far (according to my professor), but I definitely find it challenging. Every other student in my class has a B or lower average, so a C is actually "good" for this particular science.

 

[Sammich117]

What difference does it make if the courses are taken at a community college or not? Right now, I'm taking Physics I (with II to follow over the summer) at my local community college. My undergrad GPA is 3.97, so as long as I get a minimum C in both courses, they should count. And the best part is that I don't think that's factored into my overall GPA 🙂. The 3.97 stands as is.



.

What do you mean? Once you put the grades in AMCAS, it doesn't matter where you took them. They all count toward your gpa.

 

[PD187540]

What do you mean? Once you put the grades in AMCAS, it doesn't matter where you took them. They all count toward your gpa.

My college undergraduate GPA that led to my diploma was a 3.97 (135 credits). I guess you can count in the two outside physics courses, but that 3.97 is what earned me my degree, and that's the figure that stands out on my undergraduate college transcript.

Let's say I get a C in both outside physics courses (totaling 8 credits). AMCAS can factor in those 8 credits worth a C average into my 3.97gpa, making it 3.87 gpa (give or take 0.01 points), but that just makes it "unofficial." When someone asks me what my gpa is, it's officially a 3.97. If AMCAS thinks it's 3.87, fine, but on record, it's stated as 3.97, and that's the magic number for admissions considerations.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

My college undergraduate GPA that led to my diploma was a 3.97 (135 credits). I guess you can count in the two outside physics courses, but that 3.97 is what earned me my degree, and that's the figure that stands out on my undergraduate college transcript.

Let's say I get a C in both outside physics courses (totaling 8 credits). AMCAS can factor in those 8 credits worth a C average into my 3.97gpa, making it 3.87 gpa (give or take 0.01 points), but that just makes it "unofficial." When someone asks me what my gpa is, it's officially a 3.97. If AMCAS thinks it's 3.87, fine, but on record, it's stated as 3.97, and that's the magic number for admissions considerations.

Friend, you need to take a gander at the instructions and FAQ regarding the AMCAS primary application and how it determines GPAs. You have some gross fallacies in there.

 

[PD187540]

The only thing that annoyed me a lot during my undergraduate years was the fact that Physics wasn't part of my curriculum as a Pathologist's Assistant major. That set me back a few years because I immediately started working full-time after graduation, and I never had the time to take Physics. The good thing is that I took all the advanced medical science courses as an undergrad (developmental bio, histology, microbio, A&P, etc.) and got all As in them. So at least that looks great for admissions...

Honestly, I don't know why I'm complaining about whether or not the outside Physics courses are factored into my overall GPA. It really would make no difference, even if I get a C in both lol.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Honestly, I don't know why I'm complaining about whether or not the outside Physics courses are factored into my overall GPA. It really would make no difference, even if I get a C in both lol.

You are correct: making a C in your most recent coursework prior to application would make absolutely no difference whatsoever.

/sarcasm.

 

[PD187540]

OK, so here are my calculations. I'm taking my 135 credits to be worth an A (3.97).

If I get two C's in Physics (worth 8 credits), that's actually a 3.89 (give or take 0.01 pts). If I get an A and a C, that's 3.94 (give or take 0.01 pts). As of now, I've got a "heavy A" in Physics I, according to my professor.

So yeah, big frickin' deal if AMCAS takes them into consideration. Let them! It's still ultra-competitive. The only major hurdle is gonna be the MCAT, but even if I score 24 or above, I'm still bound to get in somewhere.

 

[PD187540]

You are correct: making a C in your most recent coursework prior to application would make absolutely no difference whatsoever.

/sarcasm.

Dam* right it wouldn't. No need for sarcasm there. I am a non-traditional student after all. And my "most recent coursework" is worth only 8 credits...give me a break. (*rolls eyes*)

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I just realized I'm getting trolled here...

 

[PD187540]

I just realized I'm getting trolled here...

What exactly is that..."trolling"? You're not getting "trolled" whatsoever. I'm not making fun of you or bashing you. I'm stating my position and arguing for/against a particular topic, and what I think about the matter. If that's "trolling," you need to seriously do some reevaluating. If anything, I'M the one getting trolled by you, not the other way around.

Unless you're just refusing to acknowledge that overall, I make a good case, and in reality, I'm set up in a very good position for medical school.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

What exactly is that..."trolling"? You're not getting "trolled" whatsoever. I'm not making fun of you or bashing you. I'm stating my position and arguing for/against a particular topic, and what I think about the matter. If that's "trolling," you need to seriously do some reevaluating. If anything, I'M the one getting trolled by you, not the other way around.

I just read through your WAMC thread. Combined between that thread and your input here, you are either an idiot or trolling. I'll leave it to you to determine which of those two you are. A simple Google search will explain to you what a troll is. Best of luck, muchacho.

 

[theWUbear]

A couple of people have told me that the minimum grade for a prereq is a C
However, I've looked at a bunch of medical schools' websites as well as MSAR and I have yet to see any specific grade requirements, except for one school that requires a C- or higher. So I was just wondering, is there an actual minimum grade requirement for the prerequisite courses or is the C just a guideline?

I also am interested in someone answering this thread instead of chasing trolls and following tangents.
I have a D in Bio 1, but most schools' prereqs state "two semesters of Biology with lab" so my A's in microbio, mycology, and various upper level courses suffice. I also have a C- in physics II, so I am interested in knowing if there are any schools with "C" grade requirements

The minimum is a C

Do you have any proof of that statement? I bet you don't. Please tell me for which schools that is the case. Or stop making things up.

Shooting to only get by won't get you one acceptance, not that that's what you're doing...

Does not answer question. Try again.

 

[PD187540]

I just read through your WAMC thread. Combined between that thread and your input here, you are either an idiot or trolling. I'll leave it to you to determine which of those two you are. A simple Google search will explain to you what a troll is. Best of luck, muchacho.

Are you a foreigner or something? Going by your avatar, I'd say yes, and maybe it's YOU who doesn't have a clear understanding of how certain things work. After re-reading my WAMC thread, how does that classify as an "idiot" or "trolling"? What I wrote there shows smart thinking and planning, something which I think you don't have. Having clear-sighting goals and putting things into a general, broad perspective is a quality that all future physicians should have.

And yes, I was right before: you are the one doing the trolling, not me. As far as I'm concerned, judging by your brand of analysis, I can't believe you'd even consider going into medical school. And if YOU'VE been accepted anywhere, I'm guaranteed to get in.

In any case, it's up to the admissions committee to decide, and I expect to be treated as a uniquely individual case (like all applicants should be treated).

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I also am interested in someone answering this thread instead of chasing trolls and following tangents.
I have a D in Bio 1, but most schools' prereqs state "two semesters of Biology with lab" so my A's in microbio, mycology, and various upper level courses suffice. I also have a C- in physics II, so I am interested in knowing if there are any schools with "C" grade requirements

A "D" is a passing grade. It counts. I haven't seen a single school with grade minimums for prereqs, only that you have to successfully complete them.

 

[PD187540]

Do you have any proof of that statement? I bet you don't. Please tell me for which schools that is the case. Or stop making things up.

Does not answer question. Try again.

I agree with your signature statement, theWUbear. Whenever I ask for advice on this forum, someone always bashes me or counters my position. They say that applying to medical school is very cutthroat, and the same thing seems to apply when you want advice from fellow applicants. Weird, huh?

I think that also stems from heavy jealousy, especially if you're a better applicant than they are. It's quite sick, when you think about it. Therefore, you should just forget about everybody else, know that you're very confident about it all, and apply. Leave it to the hands of the admissions committee and deal with them. That's it.

 

[getright]

Judging from his WAMC thread, PD is either a giant troll or extremely naive about the selection factors.

 

[PD187540]

Judging from his WAMC thread, PD is either a giant troll or extremely naive about the selection factors.

Whether I'm "extremely naive" about the selection factors or not, I know what those factors are. I'll admit that I don't know what weight each factor has, since different medical schools weigh different factors differently. I think that's a fact. But all I know is that so far, what factors I do have are quite good. At the end of the day, that's the bottom line.

 

[slatermd]

I also am interested in someone answering this thread instead of chasing trolls and following tangents.
I have a D in Bio 1, but most schools' prereqs state "two semesters of Biology with lab" so my A's in microbio, mycology, and various upper level courses suffice. I also have a C- in physics II, so I am interested in knowing if there are any schools with "C" grade requirements.

Dude, you need to chill out, and actually your question has been answered. You need to call the admissions offices of the schools to which you plan to apply and ask them. Every school has different requirements. Very few will explicitly state that you need a C or better to apply; they'd rather collect the fee for your secondary and then tell you that your application wasn't good enough. So have fun with that.

I just read through your WAMC thread. Combined between that thread and your input here, you are either an idiot or trolling. I'll leave it to you to determine which of those two you are. A simple Google search will explain to you what a troll is. Best of luck, muchacho.

I'm sorry Pons, but you've been had I was about to rail against the naïveté when you posted that WAMC link and I decided to save my e-breath. My favorite part, snipped but otherwise unadulterated:

MCAT
I haven't taken this yet, but I plan on taking it in 2013 or 2014. I'm really not worried about what I get on it, though.

*snip*

The MCAT is really what I'm worried about. Although I feel that if I just get minimum 7s across each subtest, I may still have a shot...

 

[PD187540]

I'm sorry Pons, but you've been had I was about to rail against the naïveté when you posted that WAMC link and I decided to save my e-breath. My favorite part, snipped but otherwise unadulterated:

That's my favorite part, too . Although I really should up that to 8s all across the board. I know quite a few current med students who are in medical school with only a 24 total MCAT score. And I saw their score reports they saved, so it's not a joke. At least that's hopeful!

 

[getright]

Who the hell gave you a degree

 

[PD187540]

Who the hell gave you a degree

LOL, none of your business. I graduated from a more clinically relevant program than yours, I'm sure...with a higher GPA to boot.

 

[theWUbear]

Every school has different requirements. Very few will explicitly state that you need a C or better to apply

The goal of this thread is identification of those schools...I would appreciate if anyone could contribute.

they'd rather collect the fee for your secondary and then tell you that your application wasn't good enough.

'not having a good enough application' does not equal 'application does not fulfill the basic requirements at this school to apply'. I'm quite sure my application, based on GPA, MCAT, clinical experience, etc. will not be good enough at most of the schools I apply to. Again, the OP and I are asking if there are specific grade requirements at any schools for the prerequisite courses that could automatically preclude anyone from being accepted

have fun with that.

I will have plenty of fun making up for my past immaturity and my poor grades, thank you so much for your well wishes.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I will have plenty of fun making up for my past immaturity and my poor grades, thank you so much for your well wishes.

Holy smokes, man. Lay off the www.passiveaggressivenotes.com

 

[slatermd]

The goal of this thread is identification of those schools...I would appreciate if anyone could contribute.

See below:

A "D" is a passing grade. It counts. I haven't seen a single school with grade minimums for prereqs, only that you have to successfully complete them.

Also, the MSAR tells you the lowest cGPA and sGPA accepted at each participating school for a given cycle.

The answer I'm giving you, whether or not you choose to accept it, piggybacks on what Pons said. I've checked the requirements for 50 or so schools and none of them have hard and fast minimum grade requirements for prereqs. All of them have de facto minimum grade requirements that you can piece together by the demos of their most recent classes.

Someone might pop in here with one or two school websites that say "minimum C," but I'm not holding my breath. This forum is great for collaboration on issues like this but if you don't like the answers you've been given so far, you're better off doing your own homework.

 

[MCAT guy]

I'm with Pons and the Zealot.

 

[BAMF]

Interesting. Anyway, thanks zealot and Pons, ya smelly foreigner (according to PD, who had me going there for a while).

 

[PD187540]

Interesting. Anyway, thanks zealot and Pons, ya smelly foreigner (according to PD, who had me going there for a while).

Glad I can entertain ya 🙂

With the whole minimum pre-req grade thing, my gut tells me that C or better is the rule. Again, I can be wrong (and I'm sure some people on here actually enjoy pointing out when someone's wrong).

You also have to take into account whether those pre-reqs are taken FOR a degree or after you've graduated. The whole thing seems really messy, and that's why medical schools should evaluate each candidate's circumstances individually.

Try to get a C or better regardless. Whoever said "retake C-" above is probably right.

 

[hiyaman]

Lol pathologist's assistant major?? is that even real? PD's posts are pretty entertaining.

 

[PD187540]

Lol pathologist's assistant major?? is that even real? PD's posts are pretty entertaining.

OK, now I'm beginning to think that I really should be in medical school right now, and quite a few people shouldn't even be applying lol. You've NEVER heard of a Pathologist's Assistant??? The AAPA (American Association of Pathologist's Assistants)???

To answer your question, YES, it's a real major that's only offered in 7 or so schools in the country on a Master's level. I was fortunate enough to go to only one of two schools in the country that offered it on the bachelor's level.

 

[hiyaman]

OK, now I'm beginning to think that I really should be in medical school right now, and quite a few people shouldn't even be applying lol. You've NEVER heard of a Pathologist's Assistant??? The AAPA (American Association of Pathologist's Assistants)???

To answer your question, YES, it's a real major that's only offered in 7 or so schools in the country on a Master's level. I was fortunate enough to go to only one of two schools in the country that offered it on the bachelor's level.

Ah you are a very good troll. I asked if a pathologist's assistant major was real because I have never heard of this before. I have heard of pathologist's assistants though, thanks for twisting my words.

 

[PD187540]

Ah you are a very good troll. I asked if a pathologist's assistant major was real because I have never heard of this before. I have heard of pathologist's assistants though, thanks for twisting my words.

You're an excellent troll yourself, there! And this "troll" doesn't miss a beat. I didn't twist your words at all. You actually RE-twisted your own words lol. Putting an "lol" before asking your question and then asking if it's real indicates that you were mocking it. No way is there "genuine interest" being shown in that statement.

Sometimes I slay myself!

 

[PD187540]

In keeping with the thread's topic of pre-requisite coursework, I've noticed something interesting in my undergrad curriculum.

My chemistry courses were titled "Intro. to General and Organic Chemistry I, II, and III" with labs (4.0 credits each, for 12.0 credits total). Every chem topic imaginable was covered in those 3 classes.

I've read on med school websites that they require "one year of organic chem with lab, and one year of chem with lab." I'm guessing that's two courses of each? I only have three courses that combined general and orgo together (along with Biopharmaceutical Chemistry worth 4.0 credits).

I'm hoping that will be acceptable (in fact, it better be because no way am I taking general chem and orgo all over again just to follow the one-year/one-year thing). That's asinine.

 

[slatermd]

If you added a semester of Biochem that might get you by at some places. The vast majority of places want to see 4 semesters of Chem. As already described, your best bet is to call the admissions offices of the schools, or in your case, school, where you plan to apply and explain your situation to find out how they'll treat it.

 

[PD187540]

or in your case, school,

SchoolS this time around. I applied to only one for a Ph.D. and got in last year, but I'm not doing the same thing for medical school. Too much at stake there.

I'm currently awaiting word from the head of my alma mater's Pre-medical Advisory Committee. I'll see what he says first, which will probably be "yes, they're acceptable", based on what I heard while I was attending college. But it's better to be sure than unsure. Then I'll contact the six or so schools I'm interested in and see what they say.

If they do give me a hard time about it and (very worst case) they want me to take both chem courses all over again, I'm prepared to fight to the death over it. If the schools are going to be so adamant about the 8 credits orgo/8 credits gen chem thing, when I already took those courses in a slightly condensed format, how blind can you be? Like they're really going to reject me based on that after they see that I've recently taken Physics, did volunteer work, took the MCAT, and applied.... something would be really wrong there.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

If they do give me a hard time about it and (very worst case) they want me to take both chem courses all over again, I'm prepared to fight to the death over it. If the schools are going to be so adamant about the 8 credits orgo/8 credits gen chem thing, when I already took those courses in a slightly condensed format, how blind can you be? Like they're really going to reject me based on that after they see that I've recently taken Physics, did volunteer work, took the MCAT, and applied.... something would be really wrong there.

Reading through your previous description of the three course sequence, I think you are heading for that fight to the death, because schools don't flex on prereqs. You have 3 chem classes for 12.0 credit hours, none of which is called organic chemistry. You can fight all you want, but they are required prerequisites for a reason. You aren't that special for them to just ignore it and open the door to the thousands of applicants who would love nothing more than to not take Orgo II. Not going to work out the way that you think it intuitively should.

 

[PD187540]

I think you are heading for that fight to the death, because schools don't flex on prereqs. You have 3 chem classes for 12.0 credit hours, none of which is called organic chemistry.

"None of which is called organic chemistry", although the entire content of organic chemistry was taught in those courses...

I honestly have no clue what to expect until I find definitive answers from the medical schools themselves and my undergraduate pre-med committee. But what I do know is that if these courses aren't acceptable for chemistry anywhere, no way in hell am I going to take FOUR courses over again featuring the same exact content I sat through for HOURS and DAYS on end. That is POINTLESS and a waste of time and money. I cannot afford to delay my entrance into medical school another year...no way, no-how...My MCAT studies and prospective volunteering opportunities are being put on hold until I get answers.

What I'd really like to say right now would probably land myself in jail, so I'm going to bite my tongue...but I may be headed there anyway if these courses aren't ok....

 

[Pons Asinorum]

"None of which is called organic chemistry", although the entire content of organic chemistry was taught in those courses...

I honestly have no clue what to expect until I find definitive answers from the medical schools themselves and my undergraduate pre-med committee. But what I do know is that if these courses aren't acceptable for chemistry anywhere, no way in hell am I going to take FOUR courses over again featuring the same exact content I sat through for HOURS and DAYS on end. That is POINTLESS and a waste of time and money. I cannot afford to delay my entrance into medical school another year...no way, no-how...My MCAT studies and prospective volunteering opportunities are being put on hold until I get answers.

What I'd really like to say right now would probably land myself in jail, so I'm going to bite my tongue...but I may be headed there anyway if these courses aren't ok....

You won't have to take 4 courses; at worst you would have to take a two-course organic chemistry w/lab sequence. I can't see how you find that so incredible. REQUIRED prerequisites = everyone MUST take them. Like I said, if being a unique applicant who obviously shouldn't *have* to take those courses could get you out of them, half of the ~45000 applicants who submit primaries every year wouldn't have taken them (hint: they all do.)

 

[PD187540]

You won't have to take 4 courses; at worst you would have to take a two-course organic chemistry w/lab sequence. I can't see how you find that so incredible.

It's so incredible because I already took it! I already went through all of organic chemistry in the course sequence I took, along with labs. You may say "oh, well if you already took it, then you should ace two courses of orgo."

BS...that's missing the point. Time (and money) are of the essence right now...Again, taking a two-course sequence in orgo will set me back, and I can't afford to do that. I don't have the money right now to shell out for 8 extra credits of material I hypothetically would "have" to take. I've got enough to pay for Physics II, which I legitimately must take. Tuition per credit is enormous here in NY, and I don't qualify for financial aid because I would be taking those courses as a non-matriculated student.

Can't wait to get some answers to this one.

 

[StudyShy]

Usually the minimum is a C, but I would try not to get anything lower than a B-.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

It's so incredible because I already took it! I already went through all of organic chemistry in the course sequence I took, along with labs. You may say "oh, well if you already took it, then you should ace two courses of orgo."

BS...that's missing the point. Time (and money) are of the essence right now...Again, taking a two-course sequence in orgo will set me back, and I can't afford to do that. I don't have the money right now to shell out for 8 extra credits of material I hypothetically would "have" to take. I've got enough to pay for Physics II, which I legitimately must take. Tuition per credit is enormous here in NY, and I don't qualify for financial aid because I would be taking those courses as a non-matriculated student.

Can't wait to get some answers to this one.

Feel free to call your target MD/DO programs. You will be told that required prerequisites are...required. What are you going to do, call them and say "I know that the required prerequisites don't show up on my transcripts, but I'm going to fax you my class notes and tests and you can see for yourself that I learned that material in my three-course Gen Chem sequence"? Let us know how that goes. Or, apparently I'll just turn the volume down on my TV and I'll be able to hear your head explode when they tell you that you have to take orgo...BECAUSE IT'S REQUIRED OF EVERYONE. The argument that you need to be exempted from required prerequisites because you think you're short on time and money will have the same effect. The answers you seek are a phone call away.

 

[PD187540]

The answers you seek are a phone call away.

You mean a bullet away...