summer class to replace a bad grade

[ramennoodles498]

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I am currently a 2nd year undergrad (almost done with my 4th semester) majoring in neuroscience. This semester, I am taking my very first neuro class, and it's called Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience. The class is known in my school to be notorious for being very difficult but very famous for having an amazing professor (which I agree).

However, the class is mostly known to be hard because of the fact that the class grade solely depends on the tests. This class is one of the classes I have to take as a Neuro major, but the highest grade I can now get for this class now is a C+ (the class has no curve at all)... To be honest, I'm not a strong test taker... sometimes I can get nervous to the point that I feel shortness in breath. I can learn the materials well, but I always get anxiety attacks before tests (the attacks are not too severe, but I sometimes get light-headed). Despite all I've just said, I don't want to use that as an excuse for doing badly. Also, what worries me even more is that I already have two C+s from my 1st and 3rd semester here.

My current GPA is definitely not the strongest... it's a 3.1 (I think it's around this). I will breakdown a list of my classes and final grade.

1st year 1st semester:
General chemistry --- B-
General chemistry lab --- A-
Math (calculus bc sort) --- B-
Spanish (intermediate) --- A
Freshman writing class --- C+

1st year 2nd semester:
General chemistry --- B-
General chemistry lab --- B+
Spanish (a graduate level class) --- B+
Introduction to psychology --- A
Biology (cells and organisms unit) --- B

2nd year 1st semester:
Biology (genetics unit) --- B+
Biology lab --- C+
Organic chemistry --- B-
Organic chemistry lab --- B+
Psychological statistics --- A-

2nd year 2nd semester (grades unknown until end of semester):
Linear algebra --- W (withdrawn)
Biology lab
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry lab
Intro. to Behavioral Neuroscience

Since I withdrew from one class, I will not be able to withdraw from any more classes. I withdrew from linear algebra because initially I thought about being a double major in math and neuroscience, but I realized that I do not have the passion for studying math as much as I have for studying neuro. However, I just feel really ashamed that I was not able to pull through with this class and that I still ended up doing rather badly... some people told me to try to take it easy on myself because I'm still recovering from my on-and-off depression and anxiety (I saw the counselor a couple times, though right now I'm taking a break from it because I wanted to try to recover on my own as I became better). But I still don't really like the fact that this had to happen, whether I went through depression and anxiety or not.

The point that I want to make is, I am thinking of replacing this grade by retaking the class over the summer, even though it will be taught by a graduate student. In addition, I got a job as a research assistant back home at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to continue my project from last summer, but I will have to tell my PI that I cannot go back and explain that I will take the class at my school (my school is in Massachusetts) if it appears that I should. I never really got a clear answer of how med schools really see this (retaking a class over the summer to replace a grade), so I was just wondering if I could get some advices from people here. If anyone is against me retaking the class over the summer to replace the grade, alternatives would be greatly appreciated.

Just some notes: 1) I have not taken the MCAT yet nor even started studying for them yet (I plan on taking them during the summer after junior year). 2) I plan on applying to med schools in senior year since I wish to take a gap year (not sure about my plans for that gap year yet). 3) I have an interest in pediatrics (mostly pediatric and adolescent psychiatry). However, I am willing to consider other options if I have to (DO, pharmacy, vet school, etc)

Thank you for taking your time to read this. Any help is appreciated.

 

[kamakazi5]

As long as you get a grade that fulfills your degree plan then there is no reason to retake. Regardless of your school's policy medical schools will average count both grades for the calculation of GPA.

I think it goes without saying but you really need to focus on getting pretty much all A's from here on out. You have little to no shot at MD and DO will be difficult with that GPA.

 

[ramennoodles498]

Thank you for your input. And yes it does go without saying that I really need to pull through. It has been a difficult time, but I am doing my best.

 

[ramennoodles498]

any other comments, suggestions, critiques, etc. will be appreciated 🙂

 

[mwsapphire]

Grade replacement doesnt exist for AMCAS, why can't you W more than one class per semester?


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[ramennoodles498]

Grade replacement doesnt exist for AMCAS, why can't you W more than one class per semester?

I could, but I right now cannot because if I do withdraw, I will be enrolled in 2.5 classes, and at my school, 3 classes is the minimum we can be enrolled in per semester.

 

[mwsapphire]

I am not a big fan of taking Ws for low grade. two in a term, even with a summer replacement, is still a moderate flag.

I would suggest either take the C+ or W with retake but be prepare to make an A if you do so

Isn't 2 W's in one term better than two W's spread out- it's a one time thing for the former, so it can be better explained.


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[ramennoodles498]

I replied to the question about why I cannot just withdraw, but I don't understand why it's not displayed as my reply, so I will explain again. I cannot withdraw from another class because I have to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 classes. If I withdraw from this class, I will end up with 2.5 classes, and that is not allowed at my school.

I recently found out that at my school, grades are not replaced if they are a C+... they have to be a D+ or worse in order to be qualified for a replacement.

Just out of curiosity, is it actually that bad to have 2 W's per semester?

 

[ndafife]

I replied to the question about why I cannot just withdraw, but I don't understand why it's not displayed as my reply, so I will explain again. I cannot withdraw from another class because I have to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 classes. If I withdraw from this class, I will end up with 2.5 classes, and that is not allowed at my school.

I recently found out that at my school, grades are not replaced if they are a C+... they have to be a D+ or worse in order to be qualified for a replacement.

Just out of curiosity, is it actually that bad to have 2 W's per semester?

It doesn't matter what your school's policy is for replacement. AMCAS averages the two scores regardless of what your school does.

And it looks bad to have 2 W's in a semester if you can't explain why adequately. 2 W's because the classes are too hard and you can't handle the workload = Bad. 2 W's because of depression/anxiety that you take steps to work on improving = good. Don't just jump into the summer needing to retake these courses for good grades until you are mentally prepared for it.

 

[ramennoodles498]

It doesn't matter what your school's policy is for replacement. AMCAS averages the two scores regardless of what your school does.

And it looks bad to have 2 W's in a semester if you can't explain why adequately. 2 W's because the classes are too hard and you can't handle the workload = Bad. 2 W's because of depression/anxiety that you take steps to work on improving = good. Don't just jump into the summer needing to retake these courses for good grades until you are mentally prepared for it.

Thank you for your input... It kind of is unfortunate that I cannot withdraw from this course due to my school's policy (I do not believe there is an exception) since, according to your post, I do not necessarily have a bad reason for it...

 

[DogRescuer]

If I were in your shoes, I would go home and work at Johns Hopkins and see a professional, figure out depression/anxiety.
In my opinion work there trumps re-mediating the C+ and until you get your head strong grades will continue to suffer.

That being said you have huge grade issue. Don't take any more classes until you are sure you have dealt with depression and anxiety. Once you are ready you need to kill it and I mean As and A-s the rest of the way. You can do it, just get mentally strong and then dedicate yourself to it!