Optics of 2 W's in non-essential classes? (3.95 GPA)

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Hi all, this is a quick post. I am a senior in chemical engineering with a 3.95 GPA and this semester I signed up for a bioinformatics class because I thought it would deepen my research and provide me with skills related to biostats. However, the classes is terribly organized, the work is tedious, and it is taking time away from my extracurriculars and MCAT studying. I know that in general W's do not look bad unless they are in core pre-med classes, but this will result in 2 W's on my transcript, both in unrelated pre-med classes.

I previously took an intro to graduate organic chemistry class as a sophomore because I was interested in organic synthesis and potentially a PhD related to this, but dropped it because I found medicine more appealing and that class was detracting from my what mattered more.

For the record, I have received all A's in my core premed classes except Orgo 1 (B+ as a freshmen, still learning how to study), and Biochem (A-). I would really appreciate guidance on this. My goal is to attend an in-state school (UF, FAU, FSU, etc...) but I would love to attend somewhere such as Stanford, Duke, or Harvard-HST.

 

[Goro]

On the whole no one will really care, but it's something that an interviewer might ask you about

 

[disastER_scribe]

On the whole no one will really care, but it's something that an interviewer might ask you about

That makes sense. Is this question to gauge for things like GPA protection (given my high GPA), ability to handle course rigor, or if I'm likely to do this in medical school?

The reason for the first W was that I became oriented towards medicine, away from a PhD and this class was taking time away from pre-health involvements & major (ChemEng) related classes. The second W would be because the class is terribly organized, lectures are 15 years old and no instructions are provided for assignments, generally a waste of time that could be used volunteering or gaining more clinical experience.

Appreciate your input!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

That makes sense. Is this question to gauge for things like GPA protection (given my high GPA), ability to handle course rigor, or if I'm likely to do this in medical school?

The reason for the first W was that I became oriented towards medicine, away from a PhD and this class was taking time away from pre-health involvements & major (ChemEng) related classes. The second W would be because the class is terribly organized, lectures are 15 years old and no instructions are provided for assignments, generally a waste of time that could be used volunteering or gaining more clinical experience.

Appreciate your input!

You have a 3.92 GPA and 2 W's. Your excuses fall on my deaf ears.

The issue isn't going to be yield protection; it's going to be fit. If you are gunning for a place like Stanford, a school with a different mission and less research infrastructure won't be as interested in you because you won't like going there. We don't want to waste your time, much less ours.

 

[disastER_scribe]

You have a 3.92 GPA and 2 W's. Your excuses fall on my deaf ears.

The issue isn't going to be yield protection; it's going to be fit. If you are gunning for a place like Stanford, a school with a different mission and less research infrastructure won't be as interested in you because you won't like going there. We don't want to waste your time, much less ours.

That's fine, I'm not looking for pity, just clarifying that AOs won't think that I can't handle a rigorous courseload because of a few W's. Although I see these as very justifiable reasons to drop a class, time is limited in undergrad and priorities shift.

Regarding fit, isn't that everyone's issue in the big picture? In general, yield protection is only an issue in a subgroup of schools that have the same mission. I also think that wanting to work in a community setting and being interested in innovation/research are not mutually exclusive; some of the most useful inventions are born because of a gap in care in a local community, and I'm sure that schools see value in that intersection. I know for a fact that I'm interested in primary care, but I also have identified several gaps that I'd like to contribute to closing as a potential PCP. That is besides the point, but I find it hard to believe that the divide between research and community is so stark.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

That's fine, I'm not looking for pity, just clarifying that AOs won't think that I can't handle a rigorous courseload because of a few W's. Although I see these as very justifiable reasons to drop a class, time is limited in undergrad and priorities shift.

Regarding fit, isn't that everyone's issue in the big picture? In general, yield protection is only an issue in a subgroup of schools that have the same mission. I also think that wanting to work in a community setting and being interested in innovation/research are not mutually exclusive; some of the most useful inventions are born because of a gap in care in a local community, and I'm sure that schools see value in that intersection. I know for a fact that I'm interested in primary care, but I also have identified several gaps that I'd like to contribute to closing as a potential PCP. That is besides the point, but I find it hard to believe that the divide between research and community is so stark.

Again, you're fishing for sympathy. Two W's don't concern admissions officers when you are holding a 3.95 GPA (transcript pending).

Can you name a couple of useful inventions that came from a gap in care in a local community? I can think of mobile clinics and community health workers; they don't need to file IP for these improvements. If you are interested in specific innovations, find schools that clearly leverage that. Look up schools that give you experience in a "health home" or a longitudinal relationship as a patient navigator, because not all do this. You can do research in community health, so find programs that give you the best opportunities to do it. Show us why you are capable of doing that type of research, because your background description (chemical engineering) doesn't lend itself to seeing such a connection.

I point out Carle Illinois, Texas A&M EnMed, and Arizona State when they open. If you want more "research," why not MD/PhD? Add them to your wishlist of Duke, Stanford, and Harvard.