Need Advice

[Asnchic]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey Guys

Sorry that it's been such a long time.

I am in need of some serious guidance. This semester has been pretty rough to me and I've had multiple personal issues that I've had to deal with lately. As a result, my grades didn't slip. They plummeted.

I'm currently sitting at a bare minimum for a C in Intro Chemistry 2 (I know) and was wondering if any of you could talk about an experience you had or something or other. I know I shouldn't be doing this poorly but well...Anyway, I'm thinking about possibly dropping Chemistry and just retaking it over the summer or in the fall since the grade is so low and I'm not too sure if I can get it back up to a considerably better letter grade seeing as how I'm already so far from where I need to be (one exam and the final left).

Also, I'm considering on dropping Pre-Pharm and then going ahead for a Bachelor's degree in Biology then going back to Pharmacy School (crosses fingers). Anyone else who's deciding to go this route? Opinions, comments, advice? I'll love you like fat kid loves cake.

 

[crazyrice610]

Hey Guys

Sorry that it's been such a long time.

I am in need of some serious guidance. This semester has been pretty rough to me and I've had multiple personal issues that I've had to deal with lately. As a result, my grades didn't slip. They plummeted.

I'm currently sitting at a bare minimum for a C in Intro Chemistry 2 (I know) and was wondering if any of you could talk about an experience you had or something or other. I know I shouldn't be doing this poorly but well...Anyway, I'm thinking about possibly dropping Chemistry and just retaking it over the summer or in the fall since the grade is so low and I'm not too sure if I can get it back up to a considerably better letter grade seeing as how I'm already so far from where I need to be (one exam and the final left).

Also, I'm considering on dropping Pre-Pharm and then going ahead for a Bachelor's degree in Biology then going back to Pharmacy School (crosses fingers). Anyone else who's deciding to go this route? Opinions, comments, advice? I'll love you like fat kid loves cake.

Hi,

I had a similar experience a few years ago. I had some personal issues at home one summer while I was taking Bio 2 and a humanities class. Since it was over the summer (5-week class), I couldn't drop the classes in time. So I ended up with a C- in Bio2 and a C in humanities. I didn't retake either of the two classes. Although USC and most of the other pharm schools say that they do not accept C- for prereq classes, but I did get interviews at 2 out of 3 pharm schools I applied to. I did explain why I have done so poorly in those two classes in the supplementary application and they did not ask me to retake it. Good luck!

 

[DrEaMeRcHiCk]

Hey don't fret,

I'm a first year too and had to deal with a lot of family issues and still dealing with them. I had a complete breakdown during winter quarter and I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I made it through. I'm glad that I tried my best because even though I have family issues...I'm feeling a lot better than I was.

As for chem, I had the same problem however I decided to not drop the class and go ahead with the final. I was walking into my chem final with a C and scared beyond belief. I studied like crazy two nights before my final because I had a math final 3 days before. I walked out of the final thinking that I did horrible and dreading the thought of having to retake it after working so hard throughout the quarter (I did well on the midterms but the quizzes caused my grade to drop). However I ended up getting an A- in the class because the final was what brought up my grade. It sucks that everything depends on exams and finals in college, but seriously if you prepare yourself in advance for the final you should get a good grade. This happened to many of my other friends too so don't worry, there's still hope 🙂

 

[Glycerin]

Hey Guys

Sorry that it's been such a long time.

I am in need of some serious guidance. This semester has been pretty rough to me and I've had multiple personal issues that I've had to deal with lately. As a result, my grades didn't slip. They plummeted.

I'm currently sitting at a bare minimum for a C in Intro Chemistry 2 (I know) and was wondering if any of you could talk about an experience you had or something or other. I know I shouldn't be doing this poorly but well...Anyway, I'm thinking about possibly dropping Chemistry and just retaking it over the summer or in the fall since the grade is so low and I'm not too sure if I can get it back up to a considerably better letter grade seeing as how I'm already so far from where I need to be (one exam and the final left).

Also, I'm considering on dropping Pre-Pharm and then going ahead for a Bachelor's degree in Biology then going back to Pharmacy School (crosses fingers). Anyone else who's deciding to go this route? Opinions, comments, advice? I'll love you like fat kid loves cake.

If that grade is the only on about which you are worried, then I would drop it (if you still can) and retake it in the summer. I don't necessarily think that this means you need to "drop" pre-pharmacy for a biology major, but a BA/BS certainly will not hurt you. What I would do is just continue to take your prereqs and apply when you were normally going to. You never know -- you could still be accepted. 🙂 If not, then work on your BA and reapply.

 

[rmhopper]

Hey, i got C's in Gen Chem 1, Gen Chem 2, and Orgo 1 before I finally realized I wasn't doing something right and pulled my head out. Somewhat revived science gpa to 3.3 and overall gpa to 3.54. Been accepted to two schools and waiting on word from 3 others. It CAN be done. Don't give up just yet. If you think you can salvage it, then I think you should stick with it. Ultimately, it is up to you though. Good luck whichever way you decide to go!

 

[crazyrice610]

Hey don't fret,

I'm a first year too and had to deal with a lot of family issues and still dealing with them. I had a complete breakdown during winter quarter and I thought I wasn't going to make it, but I made it through. I'm glad that I tried my best because even though I have family issues...I'm feeling a lot better than I was.

As for chem, I had the same problem however I decided to not drop the class and go ahead with the final. I was walking into my chem final with a C and scared beyond belief. I studied like crazy two nights before my final because I had a math final 3 days before. I walked out of the final thinking that I did horrible and dreading the thought of having to retake it after working so hard throughout the quarter (I did well on the midterms but the quizzes caused my grade to drop). However I ended up getting an A- in the class because the final was what brought up my grade. It sucks that everything depends on exams and finals in college, but seriously if you prepare yourself in advance for the final you should get a good grade. This happened to many of my other friends too so don't worry, there's still hope 🙂

hey i remember when i took my first o-chem class, i was walking into the final w/ a C or D. but starting the week before final i studied like crazy. i practically walked into our sci lib, dug out every single ochem text they hv and started working on probs and seeing their examples. i ended up getting almost 100% on the final and pulled an A! so it's still doable depending on how much ur final is worth, how much the class is curved! and my o-chem class wasn't curved, but we only needed an 85% to get an A (no +/- for A's), and we can drop one midterm. So just try to give it ur best shot

 

[kayjay]

Hey Guys

Sorry that it's been such a long time.

I am in need of some serious guidance. This semester has been pretty rough to me and I've had multiple personal issues that I've had to deal with lately. As a result, my grades didn't slip. They plummeted.

I'm currently sitting at a bare minimum for a C in Intro Chemistry 2 (I know) and was wondering if any of you could talk about an experience you had or something or other. I know I shouldn't be doing this poorly but well...Anyway, I'm thinking about possibly dropping Chemistry and just retaking it over the summer or in the fall since the grade is so low and I'm not too sure if I can get it back up to a considerably better letter grade seeing as how I'm already so far from where I need to be (one exam and the final left).

Also, I'm considering on dropping Pre-Pharm and then going ahead for a Bachelor's degree in Biology then going back to Pharmacy School (crosses fingers). Anyone else who's deciding to go this route? Opinions, comments, advice? I'll love you like fat kid loves cake.

In terms of my career path, it was always a toss up between med and pharm. I was in the exact same position 3 years ago as a freshman..I started as a Bio major..my first year wasn't so great, including my experience with Gen Chem II ..thought I wouldn't get into any professional school..after a little "soul-searching" for lack of a better term, it finally took me 2 more years to decide that pharmacy was for me. I had already completed the majority of my pre-req's by then, in addition to a whole bunch of additional core classes and other bio science classes, so I figured I should just stick it out for another year and get my BS. By that time, I had the chance to raise my GPA substantially.

On whether you should drop the class and take it over the summer depends on how comfortable you are about going into your final and making at least a C, because if not, you're going to have to retake the class again anyway. If you can drop the class without penalty (ie get a "WF"), and you dont feel comfortable, take it again during the summer. I don't think one class should affect your chances of getting into a school; take the chance to raise your GPA if you're having a bad sem by doing well on those easy A core classes.

If you have your pre-req's done well before completing however many classes more that you need to get a BS, and IF you have what you feel is a competitive enough application, it wouldn't hurt to apply to pharm school. You don't necessarily have to "drop" your pre-pharm major to become a Bio major since the classes do overlap. When you apply depends on how competitive you feel your GPA is (excluding experience, PCAT, etc). Otherwise, it wouldn't hurt to get a BS. It could only help you.

 

[Asnchic]

You guys are the best!

After talking to some friends and hearing what they had to say, I've decided to stick with it. I figured that even though I'm drowning, I don't think it would look any better if I completely gave in. Seeing as how I'm going to be taking 18 credit hour semesters in Pharm School, I should fess up to the fact that things might not always work out.

Not to mention the fact that they're changing to entirely different books next semester and that'll put me behind for Ochem and it'll just snowball afterwards.

I'm still going to pursue my pre-pharm requirements as I originally planned but if I don't get in after the second time I apply, then I'll just go ahead and go for the degree. I'm trying to do the pre-reqs in two years but if that doesn't work out, then I'll just go ahead and get a degree beforehand. I always liked Biology anyhow and I'm not quite exactly in a rush to move on to the real world (as many of the Pre-Meds would say).

 

[Asor]

You guys are the best!

After talking to some friends and hearing what they had to say, I've decided to stick with it.


Good for you, Asnchic--you are making the right decision 👍
Best of Luck

 

[Asnchic]

This experience in College is just jarring. I think that's what got to me.

In high school, I never did this horrible. In high school, if you didn your work etc. then you'd get a good grade. In college, I'm doing all the work but I'm not getting the grade, which is expected...it's just a slap in the face. I have issues with applying concepts it seems. I wish people would have reiterated to me my senior year that high school is absolutely NOTHING like college.

Thanks again to everyone. Your input was really appreciated.

 

[kayjay]

This experience in College is just jarring. I think that's what got to me.

In high school, I never did this horrible. In high school, if you didn your work etc. then you'd get a good grade. In college, I'm doing all the work but I'm not getting the grade, which is expected...it's just a slap in the face. I have issues with applying concepts it seems. I wish people would have reiterated to me my senior year that high school is absolutely NOTHING like college.

Thanks again to everyone. Your input was really appreciated.

I could relate..freshman year could take a little more time for some ppl to transition from high school. You may have been the brightest in hs, but when you get to college, ur pretty much surrounded by a classful of ppl who are at your level, if not way smarter. Don't worry, it just takes a little getting used to; after this semester, u'll get the hang of it.

 

[nikkai]

I could relate..freshman year could take a little more time for some ppl to transition from high school. You may have been the brightest in hs, but when you get to college, ur pretty much surrounded by a classful of ppl who are at your level, if not way smarter. Don't worry, it just takes a little getting used to; after this semester, u'll get the hang of it.

I dunno - from personal experience, I would just drop the class. A W doesn't factor into your GPA according to pharmcas, but a C does...

And either way you're going to have to explain it - but at least without a C pulling down your GPA, your chances of having an opportunity to explain it (ie: getting an interview) increases...

*shrug* Just somethings I wish I would have known, since UC San Diego implements a small academic forgiveness program (omitting 4 classes that were retaken in the GPA) but pharmcas and some pharm schools don't...