Neurotic GPA question

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ATPsynthase123

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How bad is two major C's on a transcript? I have a C+ in General Microbiology 3320, which is a Junior level course I took my third semester as a pre-med. My advisor told me to take that since I was unable to take the next biology pre-req at my school. It was way over my head and I couldnt drop because it would have put me below full-time and the school would have pulled my scholarships. Like I just got out of Bio 2 and there were multiple people in there that were taking that class as prep for dental/med/grad school. First day he comes in and starts an in-depth lecture on bacterial gene regulation beyond anything I had experienced. So the best I could do try to keep my head above water and do the best I could.

The second C is in Organic 2. This class' outcome botheres me to no end. I had a very strong base in the basics of chem (hell im a chem tutor for gods-sake). I was an A student before this class. I was stuck with a professor that was insanely difficult and not a native english speaker (very thick chinese accent). For example, our exam averages hovered at ~55 and never above because she refused to adjust the curve. I was always 10-15 points above the curve, but that doesn't count for **** when you are still 20 points away from an acceptable grade. Like the class as a whole did not learn anything under her and many had to retake (more than the usual Orgo flunkies). The ACS final was so bad that she is now only allowed to teach grad courses, do research and teach labs. I was honestly lucky to make it out with a C. The worst part was that before that point the lowest chem grade I have on my transcript is a B+ so her class was an outlier that severely affected my GPA.

Chem 1 A-, Chem 2 A, O chem 1 B+, O chem 2 C, Biochem A

I am applying MD/DO this cycle to maximize chances at acceptance. So long as I didnt bomb the June 18th MCAT I should be At/above the average for DO in terms of GPA and MCAT, but my chances at MD acceptances hinges on my MCAT. So assuming I do decent, how much will those two grades hurt me?
 
What are your cumulative and science GPAs? If they're 3.6+ you should be fine with a 510+ on the MCAT and solid ECs.

To answer your question it certainly doesn't look good but won't keep you out of med school assuming you can show improvement in higher level classes like biochem.


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What are your cumulative and science GPAs? If they're 3.6+ you should be fine with a 510+ on the MCAT and solid ECs.

To answer your question it certainly doesn't look good but won't keep you out of med school assuming you can show improvement in higher level classes like biochem.


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cGPA is a 3.56 after acing Cell Bio, Biochem, and Human Metabolism last semester. I should be able to repeat that with Molecular Bio, Evolution and Cell Bio lab with little issue next semester. Honestly, that is what bothers me the most, I can ace a Biochem course taught to grad students, but I couldn't make a B in Organic 2? That grade isn't because my education and dedication were lacking, and it infuriates me to no end that Adcoms wont see that.

EC's are great and I feel boost my app a lot. I've done everything from working with Alzheimer's patients as a CNA to volunteering at a cancer treatment center, to being VP and Co-founder of a community and veteran focused volunteering organization.

As for the MCAT I am expecting a 505+. I made a 507 on the AAMC scored two weeks before the exam. The way I see it is wort case scenario I get a 503-505 and still hit at the average for DO and one of my state MD schools with an average of 506, or best case scenario I get a 507-509 and stand a decent shot for MD programs. I will be happy at either since i want to go into primary care, It is just a difference between if I get to stay close to home with my fiancee or if i have to move 2-4 hours away to another school.
 
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