Should I drop this class?

[hardworkingstudnt1231241]

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Hello, I am a junior and doing very poorly in organic chemistry . I am worried about getting C in the class. I am applying this cycle, and I am concerned that dropping a class before applying would raise a red flag. I only have one W so far. Should I drop this class even though I am applying this cycle?
If I try really hard for this class, I might be able to obtain B, but would lower my GPA. If I drop this class, I can focus more on DAT. What do you guys think? Is risking C worth it?

Thanks!

 

[zToothinator]

The semester started a couple weeks ago so I think you have time to recover.

Why do you think you’re struggling with this class?

You’ll have to take orgo at some point before starting dental school so dropping it now will only delay the inevitable if you’re struggling with the course content. Is this Orgo 1 or 2? If it’s orgo 1, do you need to take biochem for the schools you’re applying to? If so, I know for my undergrad, I had to complete Orgo 2 before I could take biochem so you might not have enough time to take biochem if you drop Orgo 1 now.

What’s your GPA at now? Getting a B is fine so the B lowering your GPA isn’t really an issue.

 

[hardworkingstudnt1231241]

The semester started a couple weeks ago so I think you have time to recover.

Why do you think you’re struggling with this class?

You’ll have to take orgo at some point before starting dental school so dropping it now will only delay the inevitable if you’re struggling with the course content. Is this Orgo 1 or 2? If it’s orgo 1, do you need to take biochem for the schools you’re applying to? If so, I know for my undergrad, I had to complete Orgo 2 before I could take biochem so you might not have enough time to take biochem if you drop Orgo 1 now.

What’s your GPA at now? Getting a B is fine so the B lowering your GPA isn’t really an issue.

I just had the first test and got a failing grade. I think I am struggling because I really did not have time to study for it as I had so many other things to do. It is Orgo 2 🙁 I have 3.7 GPA right now. Since it's 4 credit hours, getting B would significantly lower my GPA.

 

[zToothinator]

Doing the math, assuming 15 hours per semester and 5 semesters completed, you've completed 75 hours towards your 3.7 GPA. If you were to get a B, that would decrease your GPA to 3.66, which is still good. This doesn't factor you performing well in your other coursework.

For me, I recommend trying your best to get through orgo 2. There's still a lot of the semester left that you can still perform well overall in the course if you can balance your work so that you can allocate additional time to orgo 2. Alternatively, you can bring your concerns to your professor in office hours. Explain that you're thinking of dropping the class and see what he/she recommends.

Also, what will your schedule look like in the future? If you plan to instead take orgo 2 during the fall, will you be able to balance traveling for interviews with studying for this class?


As for your first question, I don't think that dropping this class will severely hamper your application. You have a strong GPA. With a good DAT, extracurriculars, letters, etc, a W won't be the thing that breaks your application.

 

[SukritiS]

Well you could ask help from your seniors,some of them surely would have had the same experience.They certainly guide as to how to improve.