Taking preqs at JC... bad idea?

[ODorDO]

wats up yall long story short, i've finished both gen chem I and II (from a University), got C's in both. I'm plannin to retake them at a local JC over the summer one at a time.

I heard goods n bads abt retaking classes....

thx in advance

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[Cegar]

In your instance, taking prereqs at a JC would be a bad choice.

Besides, the grading there is often just as harsh as at a state university. You'll still get crappy grades.

 

[ufgrad00]

Yes in your case it is bad. I would also have you know that it is a Bad idea to think that by default, JC's are easier than your university, sometimes they are just as difficult. It would really hurt your application to re-take at a JC because admissions already knows that the reason is because you thought it would be easier and you want an "A". Also since you have already taken chem I and II, it would not be best to even retake them at you own university. Most admissions will expect you to do well on a retake, so even if you do well it won't be anything that will impress.

I would say your best option to redeem yourself is to move on by making good grades in both Organic chemistry courses and to make a high score on your MCAT Physical Science section. Also, to be considered by many institutions, you should take an upper division inorganic chemistry course like "Analytical chemistry" or "Physical Chemistry" to prove that you can handle the material. Also just explain your bad grades in your personal statement, and it shouldn't be a major problem.

 

[ODorDO]

would "biochem" consider my prove-myself course?

 

[xrevision]

Biochem is not chem.

 

[uzybear]

don't do it; move on; ufgrad has good advice there; a high-level inorganic chem "A" would do well; just keep trucking, and keep thinking about what you want to do; don't be terrified that you've lost your chance at med school; just keep thinking about what YOU really want to do, take it in stride, and move ON


i have a ****load of W's on my JC transcript because of an ongoing illness and depression; it might well be ****ing ugly on my transcript; it probably will hurt my chances of getting into med school; but, it is what it is, all you can do is move on baby, move on


here's a lame question: when you apply to med school, and have taken classes at a JC, do you send them transcripts both from the JC and the Uni, or do you just send the transcript from the school you graduated from, which would include the applicable credits from teh JC? in other words: do i have to show them all my W's in JC? i assume that i probably do, but i'm uncertain
........nevermind got my answer.............................
.........................AMCAS requires that official transcripts from all U.S. and Canadian post-secondary institutions are submitted, regardless of which school(s) accepted this credit. For example, if you take a summer course at a community college and transfers the work to your primary/home institution, AMCAS requires BOTH official transcripts; the one from the community college and the one from your regular year college, even if the community college course work also appears on your home institution transcript.

 

[halekulani]

ace an upper level chemistry course to prove you're capable.

JC course would be a waste of time and money.

 

[ufgrad00]

would "biochem" consider my prove-myself course?

I would believe, NO. Biochem is not very similar to the gen chems; however, since many med schools now consider biochem to be a pre-requisite, you are expected to perform well in that course as well. Stick with P-chem or analytical chem to show that you can handle the material.