Taking higher level genetics course...

[BuffPremed]

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Hey SDN, long-time lurker here. Long story short:

I have had a past of MDD, which came back hard last year due to working full time, having 18 hours, and among other things. My GPA dropped drastically (not to a point where it can't be salvaged and forcing me into a DIY post-bacc/SMP), and I made a C+ in Genetics. I enjoyed the material, but the lab was harder than the lecture and I chose to just study for lecture and *hope* that I could average a B+ or A-. I learned my lesson very quickly. Since then, I have been on an upward trend and haven't made a C since (I am also getting help for MDD, which was the best decision of my life.)

This semester, I have enrolled in an advanced genetics course (human and vertebrate genetics) which requires a C or better in the intro genetics course. Assuming I ace the class (and maybe get a LOR from the professor), will adcoms see this as a redemption that I can really handle genetics? Or will the C+ still stand out too much and be considered a detriment on my application, even with an A? I know it won't forgive my C+ either in the AACOMAS system, but I was hoping that I could prove that I can handle higher-level genetics courses.

P.S. No MCAT. Have to take it after this summer.

 

[625233]

You're fine, plenty of people i know had Cs (not C+) in their pre reqs (orgo/physics mainly) and still got into a U.S. Med School. Assuming of course your overall GPA ends up competitive, along with a good MCAT score.

 

[cryhavoc]

I know people with C's in their pre-req's who got into medical school. You are taking advanced classes on top of your pre-req's. I'm starting to get the impression that everyone who uses this site is gunning for Harvard med, getting into medical school is hard, but not nearly as cruel as a C in genetics barring you from entry.

Unless you are Canadian. I get a vague impression getting into medical school in Canada is really, really difficult from the few posts I see.

 

[BuffPremed]

I know people with C's in their pre-req's who got into medical school. You are taking advanced classes on top of your pre-req's. I'm starting to get the impression that everyone who uses this site is gunning for Harvard med, getting into medical school is hard, but not nearly as cruel as a C in genetics barring you from entry.

Unless you are Canadian. I get a vague impression getting into medical school in Canada is really, really difficult from the few posts I see.

Not in Canada. Canadian medical schools are a nightmare to get into. Some schools have a screening of a 12 on the VS. Others screen if you have <3.85 cGPA. This is coming from a friend that lives in Canada that had a 36 MCAT and a 3.86 cGPA.

There is no way I'm getting into Harvard. Might as well cut them a check donating to the medical school than applying.

This post is slightly neurotic, yes. But I feel like retaking a class just because of a C+ is a waste of time and money. But a harder genetics class that I could use for my major, in my opinion, would look great if I got an A. And I asked on here if adcoms would see it the same way. If they didn't then I wouldn't bother and focus on other classes.

 

[cryhavoc]

I can't answer that but I bet someone here on admissions or something can.

I post neurotic posts from time to time too.

Sometimes I forget my game plan from day one was become a doctor to help people who really need it.

Sometimes I post like my game plan was "impress my future colleagues, and cater to patients who only trust Ivy-league produced doctors".

And then I wake up from my neurotic haze and go study or eat something.