Take the C or Pass/Fail

[PinkMelon]

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So i'm taking ochem 2 as a junior and pretty much guaranteed a C, but i have until next week to pass/fail or withdraw from the class. I don't know if i should just take the C or pass/fail the class and retake the class next semester as a senior. I also have no idea how this will look to medical schools if i take it as a p/f and then take the class in the fall. **i will be applying this season. any advice? thanks!

 

[TriagePreMed]

This depends on your GPA. If it's your last science class and doesn't hurt the GPA too much, get the C and move on with your life. If you're adamant about getting a better grade or it hurts too much, do the p/f and retake. How will it look? Like what it is. You protected your GPA. It happens. It's the same as a W.

 

[Didierdrogba]

This depends on your GPA. If it's your last science class and doesn't hurt the GPA too much, get the C and move on with your life. If you're adamant about getting a better grade or it hurts too much, do the p/f and retake. How will it look? Like what it is. You protected your GPA. It happens. It's the same as a W.

I agree with this. W looks just as suspicious, if not more so, than a C

 

[coolingglasses]

Just do P/F. It'll be obvious what's going on, but the final number is still important.

 

[maybemed2013]

O thought med schools wanted grades instead of P/F for the required prereqs.

 

[advair250]

I'm fairly sure you can't p/f prequisite courses. You must have a grade.

 

[coolingglasses]

I'm fairly sure you can't p/f prequisite courses. You must have a grade.

Definitely. OP already knew they would have to retake.

 

[Beargryllz]

A W is probably just as bad as a C, no?

 

[TriagePreMed]

A W is probably just as bad as a C, no?

Not for your GPA.

 

[PinkMelon]

Well i wouldn't be withdrawing from the course. I would take a "pass" credit, instead of a C, and retake the class in the fall. it's basically a cushion for my gpa.

 

[bajastapler]

pretty sure u can't use P/F for pre-req courses. A few Cs won't kill you.

True story, I have friends going MD, PhD, DO, etc that have multiple Cs on their transcripts. Seriously don't freak out. You will be expected, however, to explain yourself come interview time.

I had 3 Cs from my 3rd year of college, but then again, I also had a strong upward trend of 3.7+ my final two years of college (4th and 5th). It's all about how you spin it breh. Take the C, grab a beer, chill, and move on with your life.

Edit: One of my C's was in my third quarter of Ochem. Funny cause I would always ace the Ochem portion of the MCAT practice exams XP.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Well i wouldn't be withdrawing from the course. I would take a "pass" credit, instead of a C, and retake the class in the fall. it's basically a cushion for my gpa.

I think this is a good strategy only if it hurts the GPA too much (e.g. if it's something like 3.57 to 3.32). IF not (3.57 to 3.52), just take the C.

 

[hallowmann]

Well i wouldn't be withdrawing from the course. I would take a "pass" credit, instead of a C, and retake the class in the fall. it's basically a cushion for my gpa.

If you are applying only DO, then it doesn't really matter. If you are also going for MD, then switch to P/F and retake, since you need a real grade for pre-reqs at most schools. Plus, are you guaranteed you'll get a C. If you might do worse, go P/F, if you might do better, then you'll have to realistically evaluate if you could pull off a B/B-.

 

[PinkMelon]

If you are applying only DO, then it doesn't really matter. If you are also going for MD, then switch to P/F and retake, since you need a real grade for pre-reqs at most schools. Plus, are you guaranteed you'll get a C. If you might do worse, go P/F, if you might do better, then you'll have to realistically evaluate if you could pull off a B/B-.

Thanks! this is really helpful. I calculated it and it affects by gpa by .1 so I feel like it would be much better to p/f the class and retake it in the fall b/c it would be nearly impossible for me to get a B (my undergrad doesnt do +/-)