Predental class over the summer?

[figurefly]

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So I am in ochem 2 and to get a C, I would need to get at least a 75 on the next exam and the final and to get a B I would need at least a 90 on the next exam and final. The breakdown of the class is 95% is 3 tests (two midterms and a final) and 5% attendance. I do not think it is that doable, as I got a 51 on this past test and the next two will be as difficult. I have done everything I possibly could to prepare, but the tests are pretty hard. Class average in the 60's range and the professor does not curve. I do not know if I should withdraw or not and take it in the summer, but in the summer, the same professor is teaching it, or I can take it with another professor (who is no less difficult) at a different time. I already took ochem 1 in the summer and got a C, and I have two C's on my transcript so far. I also do not know how bad it looks to take two BCPM classes over the summer. Help!

 

[WaveRace]

Taking BCPM classes over the summer isn't going to look bad. Repeatedly getting C's and/or W's in prereqs IS going to look bad.

Everyone has a professor at some point that people argue grades too hard, speaks with an accent that nobody understands, cares about research over teaching, doesn't post lectures online, etc. Those are excuses. The fact is, people in your class are getting A's right now, with your professor. Why aren't you?

You say you did everything you could to prepare. Were you going to office hours? Did you find a tutor? Could I have asked you to write a test question about any topic covered and you could explain it? Did you do all of your practice questions?

Start studying every day. Studying for an exam a week or two ahead of time isn't enough for certain classes. While it is person specific, something is going wrong here, so you need to study more. Talk to your professor and former students about how to succeed. Read the lectures ahead of time, actively pay attention in class, and review again after class. Use anki to make notecards (huge help for most classes imo).

With all that being said, this isn't the end of the world as far as admissions go, but you absolutely need to change your behavior. If you think you could withdraw and then get an A in the summer, do that. If you're going to withdraw and then get a C next term anyways, take the C now.


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[SmileItsLife]

Taking BCPM classes over the summer isn't going to look bad. Repeatedly getting C's and/or W's in prereqs IS going to look bad.

Everyone has a professor at some point that people argue grades too hard, speaks with an accent that nobody understands, cares about research over teaching, doesn't post lectures online, etc. Those are excuses. The fact is, people in your class are getting A's right now, with your professor. Why aren't you?

You say you did everything you could to prepare. Were you going to office hours? Did you find a tutor? Could I have asked you to write a test question about any topic covered and you could explain it? Did you do all of your practice questions?

Start studying every day. Studying for an exam a week or two ahead of time isn't enough for certain classes. While it is person specific, something is going wrong here, so you need to study more. Talk to your professor and former students about how to succeed. Read the lectures ahead of time, actively pay attention in class, and review again after class. Use anki to make notecards (huge help for most classes imo).

With all that being said, this isn't the end of the world as far as admissions go, but you absolutely need to change your behavior. If you think you could withdraw and then get an A in the summer, do that. If you're going to withdraw and then get a C next term anyways, take the C now.


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Is getting multiple B's in prereqs bad?

 

[Alpha Centauri]

Is getting multiple B's in prereqs bad?

If you are getting multiple B's, especially in pre-reqs, how can you have a competitive sGPA?

 

[SmileItsLife]

If you are getting multiple B's, especially in pre-reqs, how can you have a competitive sGPA?

Okay, thank you for your response.

 

[figurefly]

Taking BCPM classes over the summer isn't going to look bad. Repeatedly getting C's and/or W's in prereqs IS going to look bad.

Everyone has a professor at some point that people argue grades too hard, speaks with an accent that nobody understands, cares about research over teaching, doesn't post lectures online, etc. Those are excuses. The fact is, people in your class are getting A's right now, with your professor. Why aren't you?

You say you did everything you could to prepare. Were you going to office hours? Did you find a tutor? Could I have asked you to write a test question about any topic covered and you could explain it? Did you do all of your practice questions?

Start studying every day. Studying for an exam a week or two ahead of time isn't enough for certain classes. While it is person specific, something is going wrong here, so you need to study more. Talk to your professor and former students about how to succeed. Read the lectures ahead of time, actively pay attention in class, and review again after class. Use anki to make notecards (huge help for most classes imo).

With all that being said, this isn't the end of the world as far as admissions go, but you absolutely need to change your behavior. If you think you could withdraw and then get an A in the summer, do that. If you're going to withdraw and then get a C next term anyways, take the C now.


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I have hired a private tutor, gone to office hours, rewritten my notes and done all the practice tests and problem sets twice. I just do not seem to have a grasp of the material I guess. With that being said, so it does not look that bad to withdraw and then take it over the summer? Or should I stay in and see how it goes and if I fail just repeat? Or does it look better to retake it next year? I already took organic 1 in the summer and received a C, and I do not know how bad it looks to take two classes over the summer.

 

[WaveRace]

I have hired a private tutor, gone to office hours, rewritten my notes and done all the practice tests and problem sets twice. I just do not seem to have a grasp of the material I guess. With that being said, so it does not look that bad to withdraw and then take it over the summer? Or should I stay in and see how it goes and if I fail just repeat? Or does it look better to retake it next year? I already took organic 1 in the summer and received a C, and I do not know how bad it looks to take two classes over the summer.

Taking classes over the summer isn't frowned upon, provided you perform well in the classes. Your only worry in this situation should be "how can I get better grades". It's completely up to how you personally feel, nobody here can direct you on that. If you think you're going to fail the class, definitely withdraw and take it again later (summer or next year, doesn't matter). It's always better to withdraw than fail because of the GPA hit you would take.

The point I was trying to make is that if you are going to withdraw and retake, make a plan so you can succeed in the course. Withdrawing now and then getting a C in a later term anyways doesn't make sense.

Whether or not you plan to retake, go to office hours and tell your professor how things are going. Explain that you are putting in all of this effort but not getting results. Your professor might be able to figure out a way that you can learn the material better. Also talk to your TA. They want you to succeed!