Should I drop Biochem and focus on MCAT?

[ttt92]

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Hey everyone,

I'm kinda in an odd situation. I'm a senior at an Ivy -- 3.9c/3.8s gpa. Everything is in order but this semester has been terrible. I've been simultaneously studying for Biochem, MCAT, and writing a senior thesis (taking 4 courses). So I took the MCAT once in April and voided because I felt like I was really cramming it in and the real test was much harder. I'm planning to take it again May 22nd or May 31st.

Because I've been juggling so much, I've really been putting Biochem on the backburner. For the past two exams, I've gotten really low scores -- 50s-60s. The only way I can pull a B in the class is if I score above a 65 on the final. I know that sounds quite low, but the final has been historically hard, and I actually thought I did pretty well on the previous exams and ended up with those scores in the end. So I'm really nervous about gambling the fact that I may end up with a C. My grades have been really great up until now.

Here are my options. I have 4 days to decide if I want to just drop the course. My school's policies -- our drops do not show up on our transcript. It will be as if I didn't take the class. The only con is med schools will see that I have only taken 3 courses this semester.

If I don't drop it, I'd have to spend the next week or so solely focusing on Biochem. I'm also signed up for the May 22nd MCAT but haven't gotten a chance to work on it at all, and I'd only have a week after Biochem to really beef up on it. So I'd have to move the MCAT to a later date, which I don't want either. I don't know if I should cut my losses and just drop Biochem already so I can 100% nail the MCAT, and on time for applications. I talked to my advisor and he said this was a much better option than getting a C. And that I could retake it in the summer/fall because of med school requirements.

What should I do? Thank you!

 

[ruvuitton]

How low does your GPA fall if you were to get a C? Would you still be at 3.9/3.8, but on the lower end? Or would it drag you down a lot further 3.8/3.7? I would just push through if it didn't make much of a difference on your GPA because the summer may be too busy for you to re-take Biochem if you're applying this cycle. If not, the only problem I would've thought is trying to explain the W during interview, but if they can't see that, then you'd be so much better off just dropping it. Taking only 3 classes? I doubt they'd even care at this point when you're a senior.

 

[ttt92]

Thank you for your advice. My advisor said I have the option of taking it this summer or during the fall! My GPA would drop probably that much. However, I really am afraid of getting the C, especially in my last semester.

I'm just really afraid I can't get above a 65 on the final. I will work really hard to make sure I can, but I've been doing that for the past two exams (albeit on a time crunch) but I still scored pretty badly. Also, I'm a little nervous about pushing back the MCAT any further than May 22nd. My school advisor does not recommend anything later than May.

 

[ruvuitton]

Haha, it sounds like you've already made your mind. I'd say drop it if you're really nervous about it, and it's a huge plus they can't see the drop on the transcript. As long as the schools that you want to apply does not require biochem as a pre-req, I think you'll be fine. Also, I'm sure the MCAT is more important in medschool admissions.

 

[pbrocks15]

I would think to drop it and focus on the MCAT. These next few weeks are crunch time for the MCAT.

 

[ttt92]

Thank you for all your advice 🙂

Does anyone else have an opinion on my situation?

 

[ttt92]

Hi numed26,

Thanks so much for putting it into perspective. The reason why I want to take the MCAT is I've actually been studying since last summer. I studied hard last summer and decided not to take it because I felt like I didn't have all the upper level bio coursework/physics to really do well. So that was my mistake. I struggled to study throughout the year, but I've been scoring decently on my practice exams. I've taken all but 2 -- and around a 33 average.

I just feel like I've worked so hard to be able to apply this year, and I know I need to prioritize one or the other.

Do you think med schools would be wary that I've only had 3 courses showing up? My thesis took up more time than I thought it would, and I really overcommitted this semester. I'm just trying to cut my losses/protect my GPA the best as I can at this point. I can definitely study for Biochem, but I can't guarantee that I can score that high, since the final average for that class has been around the 65-70% mark as it's much harder than the exams. 🙁

 

[medic86]

I think you'll be fine with having a three course semester, OP. If you even get asked about it in an interview (I doubt it), you have a more-than-adequate answer.

I'm no expert, though. Good luck!

 

[Ismet]

1. Even if the withdrawal doesn't show up on your transcript, you most likely still have to list it on AMCAS. From page 46 of the AMCAS instruction manual: "A course entry must be made even if the withdrawn course does not appear on the transcript."

2. At this point, your best bet might be to drop. But in hindsight, biochem shouldn't have been on the backburner. Biochem concepts are helpful for studying for the MCAT. Sure, memorizing the amino acids isn't high yield for the MCAT, but studying biochemical processes and cycles for your course can double as MCAT studying. I took biochem in the semester I was studying for the MCAT, and I thought it was a huge help that stuff like the TCA cycle was fresh in my mind on test day, mainly because I had a passage on it.

 

[ttt92]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your input. I'm going to take it all into consideration.

One question about reporting on AMCAS -- It also says:
"A course entry should not be made if the course was dropped within the normal drop/add
period."

The drop deadline for my school is in a few days. Does this mean that this statement applies to me?

 

[Nihsel101]

I dropped Biochem just to focus on the MCAT. (real reason was I was sick and missed one exam. No way to recover) As long I got the book to read, it should be ok. Just focus on practicing the MCAT problems and do practice exam. you should be in good shape. Focus on things like Organic, gen chem, intro bio, physics, or where ever you are strong on.

 

[Ismet]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your input. I'm going to take it all into consideration.

One question about reporting on AMCAS -- It also says:
"A course entry should not be made if the course was dropped within the normal drop/add
period."

The drop deadline for my school is in a few days. Does this mean that this statement applies to me?

Oh you're fine then, you don't have to put it on AMCAS. I'm just used to a school where add/drop is only 2 weeks long and after that anything you drop is a W.

 

[ttt92]

Thanks everyone. If anyone has any other input, I'd really appreciate it!

So I'm not sure what they are referring to as the "add/drop" period. My school also had a 2 week add/drop period in the beginning of the semester. After those two weeks, you could no longer "add" a class, but you could still drop a class up to the deadline in a few days. Obviously, I'm going to ask my advisor but can't get in contact with him until a couple more days, so if anyone has input, that'd be great. Thank you!