testing out of biochem...would that look bad?

[Featherfy]

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So I have a 3.317 GPA right now. I currently do not know yet if I want to do med school and I'm about to be a junior in college. I realize I have to figure that out, but I have this question.

My grades are kind of everywhere with my lowest being:
C in Calc 2 (freshman)
B- in a C++ course (freshman),
C+ in a software course (sophomore)
B- in Ochem 2 (sophomore)

My other science course grades have been:
B+ GenChem 1
A- GenChem 2
B Ochem 1
A OChem lab 1

Cumulative GPA by semester:
1st semester freshman: 2.82
2nd semester freshman: 3.25
1st Semester Sophomore: 3.311
2nd semester Sophomore: 3.317

I have AP credit for the general biology courses and regular physics and am going to test out of one semester of calculus based physics.

My GPA has mostly been saved from general ed courses but after next semester they'll be completed and I have only major courses left to make up for my GPA (microbiology major..and possibly computer science double major)

Departmental exams are available for Biochem, and I have really been considering studying for it and taking it so I won't have to take it in fall, and instead be able to work on my double major/have a slightly easier courseload as junior year will be my hardest. My GPA as I noted is very very low if I decide on med school so I felt that if I tested out and got the credit from my university instead that I would be able to fill that 4 credit hour void with maybe an 'easier' course to help guarantee a GPA boost.

IF I did that, would that make med schools wary of the credit? That it would seem I tried to 'find the easy way'. It would require me to self study the course completely, and actually I was considering sitting in the summer term of biochemistry here so I have the lecture experience down, but don't have to worry about midterm/quiz stress which is what ultimately led to low grades in ochem and my Computer Science courses.

The credit would NOT be from a community college of course; I would have to take the departmental exam given by the school I have been enrolled in the past 2 years (very very large state school).

I realize that I could study and prepare and make great study materials over the summer and spend the year studying and kicking butt, but at the same time it might not end up with an A. I cannot afford anymore B-'s or lower and honestly even B's need to be eliminated. With my courseload and my horrible stress and ability to ruin midterms I'm worried it will work against me.
tips?

 

[joebob19872]

You will need to demonstrate to medical schools that you are capable of more intense science classes, such as biochemistry. Thus, they will be wary that you took the "easy" out. Take the class and try to do well in it.

 

[Flashfan]

You do realize that schools look very closely at science GPA as well? With the exception of the computer course, all those grades will count toward your sGPA. You need to raise that any way that you can. Take the course and use the material to kill your MCAT. It is not very Biochem heavy so you may learn something that will help you.

 

[deleted577188]

So I have a 3.317 GPA right now. I currently do not know yet if I want to do med school and I'm about to be a junior in college. I realize I have to figure that out, but I have this question.

My grades are kind of everywhere with my lowest being:
C in Calc 2 (freshman)
B- in a C++ course (freshman),
C+ in a software course (sophomore)
B- in Ochem 2 (sophomore)

My other science course grades have been:
B+ GenChem 1
A- GenChem 2
B Ochem 1
A OChem lab 1

Cumulative GPA by semester:
1st semester freshman: 2.82
2nd semester freshman: 3.25
1st Semester Sophomore: 3.311
2nd semester Sophomore: 3.317

I have AP credit for the general biology courses and regular physics and am going to test out of one semester of calculus based physics.

My GPA has mostly been saved from general ed courses but after next semester they'll be completed and I have only major courses left to make up for my GPA (microbiology major..and possibly computer science double major)

Departmental exams are available for Biochem, and I have really been considering studying for it and taking it so I won't have to take it in fall, and instead be able to work on my double major/have a slightly easier courseload as junior year will be my hardest. My GPA as I noted is very very low if I decide on med school so I felt that if I tested out and got the credit from my university instead that I would be able to fill that 4 credit hour void with maybe an 'easier' course to help guarantee a GPA boost.

IF I did that, would that make med schools wary of the credit? That it would seem I tried to 'find the easy way'. It would require me to self study the course completely, and actually I was considering sitting in the summer term of biochemistry here so I have the lecture experience down, but don't have to worry about midterm/quiz stress which is what ultimately led to low grades in ochem and my Computer Science courses.

The credit would NOT be from a community college of course; I would have to take the departmental exam given by the school I have been enrolled in the past 2 years (very very large state school).

I realize that I could study and prepare and make great study materials over the summer and spend the year studying and kicking butt, but at the same time it might not end up with an A. I cannot afford anymore B-'s or lower and honestly even B's need to be eliminated. With my courseload and my horrible stress and ability to ruin midterms I'm worried it will work against me.
tips?

Despite what people would say about pre-studying, I would do it if you are actually willing to commit the time to it. I pre-studied O Chem after my freshman year because I heard horror stories about it and I didn't do that great in Gen Chem. I did very well in it and I would contribute that partly to pre-studying. Pre-studying for biochem isn't a bad idea, but you have to ask yourself what else you could do this summer to improve your chances of getting an acceptance. These include, but are not limited to, research, different types of volunteering, healthcare field work, etc etc.