Should I drop A&P II?

[Crystal326]

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Hi All,

I am contemplating dropping A&P II but can't decide if it's a good idea. I was hoping someone can give me some advise, especially if you're an adcomm.

I'm currently a non-traditional student in a post-bacc program. I've completed all my prerequisites and also one upper level course in A&P I with the following grades.

Gen Chem I: A
Gen Chem II: A+
Bio I: A+
Bio II: A+
Physics I: A
Physics II: A
Orgo I: A-
A&P I: A

Since my undergrad GPA was only a 3.54 as I was a mktg major and didn't think anything higher was necessary to find a decent job, I am really trying to boost it up now with good grades. So far, I feel I have done my job. However, this semester, I am taking Orgo II and A&P II, but I'm finding my A&P course to be extremely demanding. I'm not sure if I'd be able to pull off an A in both classes and I really don't want to do anything to jeopardize my GPA. I'm considering dropping A&P II since it's not a required course. How do schools/adcomms look at someone having only finished part I of a two part course like A&P? If I drop A&P II now, would I have essentially wasted all my hard work in A&P I? Would they completely discount it because I didn't finish the 2nd part of the course? Or do you guys think that getting a B in A&P would be better than not taking the course at all, even if it does lower my GPA a little? If someone can give me some sound advice I'd really appreciate it. Course drop deadline is coming up in a few days so quick inputs are needed! Thanks!! BTW, the reason I'm having trouble with merely 2 courses is because I also work p/t as a medical assistant and an off site mktg consultant. That would be my reason if I'm questioned about my course load.

 

[bucks2010]

Dropping AP II wouldn't negate your last class - you still got an A in AP I. That's kind of like saying, if I dropped Orgo 2, would adcoms not look at Orgo I. They are 2 separate courses and are considered separately.

If you can manage an A in Orgo and B in AP II then I wouldn't drop. If you were going to get a C in AP II though (or a B in Orgo?) then a W becomes more attractive, I think.

 

[Geekchick921]

Geez you sound so much like me. I think 3.54 was my GPA before I started my post-bacc stuff, and I got straight As as a post-bacc (aside from 1 A- in my 2 credit Ochem lab), too. I also only took A&P1 because I couldn't get a spot in an A&P2 course that I could do with my work schedule. No one ever said a thing about it when I interviewed.

It's really up to you. Obviously Organic 2 is more important than A&P2, and I definitely don't think you wasted your time in A&P1, especially if your school teaches it with a lot of physiology focus. There has been a lot of physio on the BS section of the MCAT lately, it seems. I know that taking it helped me a lot when I took the MCAT last year. Also, they could easily see you were working while taking your prereqs since you'll be listing those jobs on your AMCAS and you're a non-trad.

In short, if you think you won't be able to keep up your straight As, I'd drop A&P2. Your GPA is a little behind the curve and every A you get will help you bring it up, but even a B won't do you any favors. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[slatermd]

I'd convert it to an audit, or drop it like it's hot.

 

[Crystal326]

Thanks, guys, for the quick responses! It's a relieve to hear that dropping AP II wouldn't affect how they look at my AP I. You're right, bucks, why should they negate a whole semester of work I put in? I just based it on the fact that all the prereqs requirements ask for a whole yr commitment of the particular science subject, but I guess this is different.

Geekchick, so are you waiting to hear back from your interviews? If you don't mind me asking, how was your GPA by the end of it? Do you think they looked at your combined undergrad and post bacc GPA or just your post bacc? I never took a single relevant science course during my undergrad so I'm hoping that they would, um, kind of ignore it, haha (I know that's me dreaming). But based on right now, my science GPA is a 3.96 so if they put most of the weight on that, it would just be wonderful...

And what is audit???

 

[slatermd]

Audit is taking the class, but not for a grade. It will show up on your transcript as "audit." This might actually look more suspicious than just dropping it and not having it on your transcript at all.

Also, don't worry about Geekchick's stats...cough... *39T*....cough.

ahem.

 

[Geekchick921]

Geekchick, so are you waiting to hear back from your interviews? If you don't mind me asking, how was your GPA by the end of it? Do you think they looked at your combined undergrad and post bacc GPA or just your post bacc? I never took a single relevant science course during my undergrad so I'm hoping that they would, um, kind of ignore it, haha (I know that's me dreaming). But based on right now, my science GPA is a 3.96 so if they put most of the weight on that, it would just be wonderful...

And what is audit???

You can see all my stuff on my MDApps, the link is under my avatar to the left. 🙂 They will roll all your undergraduate courses together, including the ones you took as a post-bacc. Graduate-level courses would be counted separately. cGPA is more important that sGPA, but I would think my very high sGPA and my MCAT (that I studied very hard for) helped make up for my very average cGPA.

Audit is when you take the course without credit.

Audit is taking the class, but not for a grade. It will show up on your transcript as "audit." This might actually look more suspicious than just dropping it and not having it on your transcript at all.

Also, don't worry about Geekchick's stats...cough... *39T*....cough.

ahem.

39O. The T was just in the dream. And like I said above, I worked hard for that score man, because I was worried about my cGPA and not having much research... and the fact that I didn't really want to apply outside of the Philadelphia area. 😛

 

[Crystal326]

Wow, your stats are great, and you're a mother! Props to you! Congratz on your acceptances!

Also, more similarities, PSU was my undergrad!! I graduated in '06 though. They have prepared you well, not surprised 🙂, go PSU!

 

[Geekchick921]

Thank you. 🙂 PSU was not my undergrad, but I did take some of my pre-reqs there. I also graduated in 2006, though.

You have done very well with your post bacc work so far. Keep it up and good luck!