stressing about dropping genetics

[canis13]

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I've been semi-hesitant to post about this on here, because I feel like I always post threads on here asking for advice but am not very good at keeping up with replying to other people's threads. And I'm also feeling like a big effing failure right now, and I'm self-conscious about it. But I need some feedback:

I'm currently taking Molecular Biology & Genetics at Penn as a post-bacc right now (along with biochemistry and another course), and it's going really terribly. As in, I got a 64 on the first exam, and a whopping 49.5 on this most recent exam. He drops your lowest test score, but I'm not sure that will be enough to pull myself out of this hole. I'm not even entirely sure what the problem is. I've only gotten one C before (in o-chem), I have a 3.5 GPA from a tough undergrad school, I just got fantastic scores on the GRE...so it's not like I'm a terrible student. I'm putting in a fair amount of work...I could probably be doing a better job of keeping up with the material, and I definitely was slacking b/c of studying for the GRE, but I hadn't totally ignored the class. This most recent test was on DNA/RNA replication/transcription/translation/PCR/cloning type stuff, which also, incidentally, was what my last biochemistry exam was on (minus PCR/cloning), and I did fine on the biochemistry exam. My microbiology class last spring also had a huge genetics component to it, and I did fine in that course. It might've been because I had the genetics exam on the same day as my biochemistry exam, and I may not be very good at cramming for two exams at once. My other guesses as to the problem may be that his powerpoint slides are like looking at Greek, b/c they are so vague (and reading the book/doing the assigned practice problems hasn't seemed to help), and his exams are the longest exams I've ever had to attempt in a 50 minute period. I've also really done a bad job at predicting what types of questions he asked on the tests, especially compared to my biochem course. Finally, it may just be that genetics & I are not clicking...I've never been a fan of genetics, but now I really am starting to detest the subject.

I just emailed the professor to set up a meeting to see if there's any way that I won't completely bomb the course, but given that he drops your lowest test score, I feel like he probably doesn't curve. And I'm thinking that a W might look better on my transcript than a C or D.

The other part of the story is that this year I've only applied to Tufts, who only requires a genetics course if genetics wasn't part of your intro bio class. I did have a genetics section in intro bio, so I can get away without taking this course for now, and if I don't get into Tufts this year and want to apply to more schools next fall, then I'm thinking I will take an easier, online genetics course.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any insightful feedback...how terrible is it to have a W on your transcript? And what should I do in terms of telling Tufts? I mean, I know I have to update them to say that I'm using my intro bio course to count towards my genetics requirement, but I can't figure out how to word it as to minimize the big glaring fact that I am dropping an upper level science course because I can't hack it...my instinct is to avoid giving any kind of excuse/explanation. If I were to get an interview, would this be something they'd grill me on?

 

[twelvetigers]

Incidentally, I'm taking a class called Concepts in Medical Genetics that sounds fairly similar. I'm not doing terribly, but I studied a lot for the 2nd exam (of 3 total) and I made a C still. I think that, for me, it has a LOT to do with how he tests - multiple choice questions that are very tricky, and lots of "A, B, C, A & B only, all of the above" that are terribly vague...

At any rate, I can't make an A, but I think I can make a B, so I'm keeping it. If I had thought I would be at high risk of making a C or any risk at all of making a D, I would be gone. At this point, it's not worth it.

If the meet with the professor doesn't fill you with confidence, drop the damn thing. It'll be okay. Don't beat yourself up about it.

 

[canis13]

Thanks for commiserating, TT. I also forgot to mention that there was a homework assignment due on Friday, but I was so stressed after the midterm that I totally forgot about until today when I overheard people in my class talking about it. Instead, I spent Friday driving to my friend's farmhouse in upstate NY where I spent the weekend shooting rifles and riding motorcycles and visiting sheep and alpaca farms and an apple orchard (sheep cheese + honey crisp apples = mmm). Whoops.

Anyway, I'm trying to turn my stressed-out melt down into a "f**k it and forget it" mentality. But I'm having visions of sitting in a Tufts interview and having the interviewer go "so, tell me about this W on your transcript."

 

[twelvetigers]

I reeeeeeally doubt they will ask. And suppose that they did? Well, tell them that you were struggling for whatever reason - how it was taught, time constraints - and decided to drop it. So what. Does that mean you definitely can't handle vet school, if you drop some random genetics class?

 

[Savethewhales]

Tutor? Look for a grad student at the school in the molecular bio and genetics department. Sometimes if you just get help once or twice to get yourself going you will grasp stuff quicker. Its helpful to get someone other than the professor to explain it because usually the grad students explain it as a peer and I have found that it can be very helpful!

 

[LoveMyDobies]

I would drop it if you think you are going to get a bad grade (less than a B). I'm saying this because I got a C in genetics and I wish I would have dropped it. I applied to V school last year (no luck obviously) and after talking to admissions officers when I didn't get in.. I found that genetics is a very important class and holds a lot of weight in the science GPA category. I would grade replace it if I thought it would help, but many schools look at both attempts at a class.

Anyhow.. goodluck with whatever you do.. maybe the rest of your class will fail so there is a big curve and you end up with an A!😀

 

[nyanko]

Tutor? Look for a grad student at the school in the molecular bio and genetics department. Sometimes if you just get help once or twice to get yourself going you will grasp stuff quicker. Its helpful to get someone other than the professor to explain it because usually the grad students explain it as a peer and I have found that it can be very helpful!

👍

Genetics is not going to go away. Embrace it. 😉

(but maybe drop this particular class if you're really going to tank in it)

 

[GellaBella]

I think that maybe you should drop it, depending on how the meeting with the prof goes.

If you had just bombed 1/3 exams I'd say go the tutor route (and I may be able to help you out, I'd be willing to look at your last exams to see if I can see where things are going wrong and if i could be of help - I have a phd in microbiology and molecular genetics) BUT you've only got one exam to redeem yourself. And while doable if he drops the lowest score, you also missed the homework assignment which first look good.

I'd go talk to him. See if he has an idea of the averages of the last two exams (is everyone struggling or are you below average). Also see if your last exam is cumulative or not.

Also if you are interested in sticking with it or in meeting up/having me look at anything, you can send me a PM. I'd be happy to take a look at your syllabus/exams and see if I can help you out.

 

[canis13]

Yeah, so I talked to the professor, and he said I'd have to get at least a 90 on the next 2 exams (3rd midterm and final) in order to get even a B-.
Then I called Tufts, and they had absolutely no qualms making a note on my application that I'll be fulfilling the genetics requirement with intro bio; the woman was like "oh you'll get plenty of genetics in your 2nd year, there's no reason to take another genetics course right now if you already had it in intro bio."

So I turned in my withdrawal form today, and I can already feel my stress level going down.

 

[twelvetigers]

Wonderful! Screw that class, no matter what Nyan says.