Pesky "I"

[ryvenna]

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I have a huge "uh oh" on my transcript; an incomplete in general chemistry II.

This final was scheduled after my biochemistry final, but almost immediately after taking my biochem final, I had a family emergency, and had to leave campus after contacting my professor. He was extremely understanding and gave me an incomplete, and all I have left to do is take the final at the start of next semester.

Of course, gen chem is tested on the MCAT, so if I blow my physical sciences section out of the water, will med schools understand? I also explained the I in my personal comments section-- and the circumstances that led to it further reinforced my desire to become a doctor (a parent had a heart attack, and, afterwards, I wanted to also help medically, in addition to the other things I did to help).

A list of schools to which I plan to apply = George Washington University, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai, University of Chicago, University of Michigan, UNC, UPENN, University of Pittsburgh, UVA, VCU, Yale

Also! Though I am applying to med schools in June, I am going to take calc II spring semester. A few of my schools have calc II listed as a requirement-- but does that mean that as long as it's complete prior to matriculation, I'm OK? OR, should I not even bother to apply to these schools, since I don't have a grade for calc II on my transcript?

Thanks in advance, everyone!! :]

 

[buccsmf1]

first off, gen-chem is a pre-req for biochem at my school. Hell, at my school you have to take gen-chem and organic before you can take biochem.

i'm pretty sure gen-chem is required for all medical schools, i don't really know how you could get around that....

 

[ryvenna]

first off, gen-chem is a pre-req for biochem at my school. Hell, at my school you have to take gen-chem and organic before you can take biochem.

i'm pretty sure gen-chem is required for all medical schools, i don't really know how you could get around that....

Yea-- 2 semesters each of ochem and gen chem are prereqs to take biochem at my school too. I was able to take biochem because I was taking gen chem II at the same time, after I already completed one semester of gen chem and both levels of ochem. I got an A in biochem, and it was one of my favorite classes, so I'm really happy that I was able to take it.

I know that gen chem is required for all med schools, but what I don't know is whether or not I'll be fine, as long as it's completed before matriculation... 🙁

 

[JJMrK]

Are you applying this cycle? If so, and you get asked about it, just explain it in a way that doesn't sound like whining. That's really your only option anyway, correct?

 

[ryvenna]

Are you applying this cycle? If so, and you get asked about it, just explain it in a way that doesn't sound like whining. That's really your only option anyway, correct?

I wouldn't whine about it, anyway. I had the option to stay and take the exam, or to spend time waiting around a hospital to support my mother. I chose family over a grade, and I don't regret that.

I'm a rising senior, and I'm applying for med schools this cycle. I made this thread because I was wondering if medical schools will simply reject me due to the I...

 

[student1799]

I wouldn't whine about it, anyway. I had the option to stay and take the exam, or to spend time waiting around a hospital to support my mother. I chose family over a grade, and I don't regret that.

I'm a rising senior, and I'm applying for med schools this cycle. I made this thread because I was wondering if medical schools will simply reject me due to the I...

As long as you're going to satisfy the incomplete soon, you should be fine. Just explain very briefly and matter-of-factly that you had to miss the final due to a family medical emergency, and that you'll be taking it on X date.

Regarding prereqs, med schools prefer that you apply with them all done, but it's OK to have one or two courses in progress during the app year. (You're expected to update the grades as soon as you get them.) In some cases, as for schools that require biochem or calc II, they'll even grant you a conditional acceptance and let you take the course over the summer (provided you finish by a certain date).