W on Transcript, Can I still get into top schools?

[freneticFil]

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I'm considering withdrawing from a chemistry course for my major (Analytical chem, not a pre-med requirement), and taking it another year to complete my degree.

This would put my credit hours at (over 2 years, im a junior rn): 15-17-13-13-12. (the 13 credit semesters were still 5 classes w bio and orgo and labs).

Question is, how much will a W hurt me for top meds like UPenn down through Icahn and Dartmouth's Geisel?

Current GPA: 3.9/ sGPA 3.88

 

[freneticFil]

@LizzyM

Hi, would appreciate your advice as well.

 

[LizzyM]

It it appeared that you were doing so to preserve a 4.0, then it would not look great but your 4.0 ship has sailed so you have no worries in that regard. Keep calm and carry on.

 

[freneticFil]

It it appeared that you were doing so to preserve a 4.0, then it would not look great but your 4.0 ship has sailed so you have no worries in that regard. Keep calm and carry on.

Its trivial, no one will care move on

Thanks, all. What do you think about the 12 credits then? (It's the bare minimum to be a full-time student). I've heard anything with a year under 30 credits will not look good according to LizzyM. If I withdraw, I certainly will have under 30 for this year along with my past sophomore year.

My defense for previous year has been I was in 5 classes but 13 credits (orgo, bio, labs, etc. heavy stuff). This withdraw would put me at 12 with only two classes, one 1 credit PE class, and research for credit.

On top of that, I will have some volunteering, clinical research, and my own art work stuff during the semester/year.

Thoughts? Any would be appreciated since you both are highly thought of in SDN community. Also keep in mind I'm looking to shoot for ivy medical schools and top30 research

 

[LizzyM]

Well, the question always becomes, can you handle the fire hose that is medical school. Likewise, is your GPA over 12 credits per term as good or better than a similar GPA earned by someone taking 17-18 credits? Which of you would appear to be the stronger student?

 

[freneticFil]

Well, the question always becomes, can you handle the fire hose that is medical school. Likewise, is your GPA over 12 credits per term as good or better than a similar GPA earned by someone taking 17-18 credits? Which of you would appear to be the stronger student?

In this case, I'd think the stronger student is the one wiht the higher GPA w/ more credits. My GPA other semesters with 13-15-17 credits has actually been pretty high ~3.9 or ~3.8 fresh and soph year. I doubt this semester of 12 credits will be a repeat as to graduate, I'm planned to have around 14-15-13 for next three semesters.

I've also heard its more about difficulty of the course and not as much credit load (and to take what you need to maintain the GPA). For example, I took BIO, Orgo, their labs, and economics sophomore year - 5 classes at 13 credits total.

What do you think? Thanks.

 

[dodolol21]

In this case, I'd think the stronger student is the one wiht the higher GPA w/ more credits. My GPA other semesters with 13-15-17 credits has actually been pretty high ~3.9 or ~3.8 fresh and soph year. I doubt this semester of 12 credits will be a repeat as to graduate, I'm planned to have around 14-15-13 for next three semesters.

I've also heard its more about difficulty of the course and not as much credit load (and to take what you need to maintain the GPA). For example, I took BIO, Orgo, their labs, and economics sophomore year - 5 classes at 13 credits total.

What do you think? Thanks.

Forget the W what you really need for UPenn is a 524+ mcat

 

[LizzyM]

In this case, I'd think the stronger student is the one wiht the higher GPA w/ more credits.

OK, so you've answered your own question.

I've also heard its more about difficulty of the course and not as much credit load (and to take what you need to maintain the GPA). For example, I took BIO, Orgo, their labs, and economics sophomore year - 5 classes at 13 credits total.

Again, you are up against someone who took Bio, Orgo their labs, economics and Russian literature for a total of 16 units and earned the same GPA that you did that term.

Bottom line, you need to show that you can handle a heavy course load. /thread