second semester organic and OAT

[alliecat415]

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Sorry I can't find a thread about this, even though I know I have seen some discussion about this on here before...

What is the word on taking second semester ochem and risking a bad grade vs. taking first semester only and still having a shot at scoring well on the OAT?

It feels like most people are taking 2 semesters, but for those of you who only took one (if there are any,) how are you filling in the gaps?

 

[Jenboo23]

I only took 1 semester of organic chem before writing the OAT and when I started studying for OC I knew I was a little screwed for that section because there was alot of testable material that was not covered in organic 1. I didn't have enough time (only a week to study everything) to learn the brand new organic chem material that I had not learned in organic 1, so I decided on spending most of my time mastering the other sections while knowing I'd bomb the OC section. I got 320 on the OC section which was my lowest score. I only had 1 open file interview and the interviewer said "your OC is a bit low but you only took 1 semester of organic chem....." and didn't mention it any further. I am taking organic chem 2 right now and I think it probably would have helped me on the OAT, that - or a few extra days to learn the new material from my text book. I definitely think you can do well on OC with only 1 semester of organic chem under your belt, provided you give yourself enough time to prepare for it. 🙂 Good luck.

 

[MariaMaria]

I took one semester and I got a 330 and I hardly studied for that section. Good luck

 

[somaira]

I took one semester of OChem and got 360 in the Ochem section of OAT. I think the Kaplan Ochem book covers pretty much all that you need to know for the exam.

 

[Grover2k9]

I would look at yourself and ask if you think you can teach yourself that material. I am the type of person that would greatly benefit from taking the class.

A bad grade shouldnt prevent you from taking it. I took both semesters from a very challenging and very good professor. I studied my butt off for that class (and physics and other courses i would see on the OAT).

If I was you, I would take it and tank the bad grade. 4 credits or whatever of C or D wont hurt you that much amongst the other 120+ credits you will probably have when you apply.

Put in the time in the class. I focused mainly on ochem that semester and managed an A in the second semester (up from a B- in first semester).

When OAT time came, the only thing I did was read my notes once then do practice tests.

I got a 400 OC.

Ochem can be hard to learn on your own. If you were asking about bio i would say skip out and learn it on your own. Ochem can be a beast, i'd take that class.

my .02