W vs C in Biochem?

[AznSeal]

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Hello

I'm currently a junior and I just had my first test in biochem and I think i did poorly. Unfortunately, the entire class is simply just 4 tests and I don't think i can recover.

Should I man up and take the C or go with the W?

Usually if this was any premed class, i'd just take C to stay on track to graduate, but in this case, my major is actually Zoology so i'm taking Biochem as an elective so it's not required. I'm taking 17 hours so if i drop biochem, I go down to 14 and it seems a lot more reasonable.

So, go with the C or W? My currently GPA is 3.9

 

[McBatCommander]

Are you counting on a C assuming you may A's on the rest of the exams?

 

[AznSeal]

Are you counting on a C assuming you may A's on the rest of the exams?

Well, I just took the first test, and I feel like I got destroyed. If the professor doesn't scale, then the best I can hope for in the class as a final grade is probably a C.

For some reason I just don't get biochem. I made an A in both ochem 1 and 2 easily. I think it may just be the huge work load+job.

 

[McBatCommander]

I would say stay in the class if there is a realistic chance of making higher than a C, if you just need to put more time into studying. But if the highest you'll get regardless is a C, you're best dropping it.

 

[skiing]

You can still raise your grade!! I know plenty of people who got C on their first biochem midterm and ended up with A's by killing the other exams.

Also, for the record, it is possible to get interviews with W's and Cs. I have 4W's and one C+ on my junior year transcript and so far I have 3 interviews at top 10 schools and 2 other interviews. Not saying that to brag, but just to give you some encouragement. When I got my W's and C I thought it was the end of the world! But you'll be ok.

 

[theseeker4]

I obviously have no knowledge of your class's grading policies, or how you did, but I received an F on my first P chem exam, and ended up with one of the highest final grades in the course at an A.

First, find out how you actually did. Speculating when you don't know your score, don't know whether the prof will curve, etc. is very premature. Second, when you get your score, actually calculate out what you could get in the course, and find out how much work that will take. Meet with the professor to discuss this and what you can/should do to get an A in the course. After that, look at your schedule and whether you can realistically pull off a B or better in the course with your work load. Only if you decide you can't pull it off after getting all the information should you decide to drop.

 

[angemon89]

Sounds like me and my summer biochem class right now. I got average on the first exam and I literally almost cried myself to sleep.... Studied my ass off and got 34pts above average on the second exam(almost the high score) and I'm sure I'll do well on the final.... one hour from now lol.

Point is, you can recover especially if there's a curve. It's not like the class is gonna get any easier just take it now.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

Hello

I'm currently a junior and I just had my first test in biochem and I think i did poorly. Unfortunately, the entire class is simply just 4 tests and I don't think i can recover.

Should I man up and take the C or go with the W?

Usually if this was any premed class, i'd just take C to stay on track to graduate, but in this case, my major is actually Zoology so i'm taking Biochem as an elective so it's not required. I'm taking 17 hours so if i drop biochem, I go down to 14 and it seems a lot more reasonable.

So, go with the C or W? My currently GPA is 3.9

Bro, don't think that way. I got a 51 on one of my first exams in a class and ended up with a B (I got my ish together reeeaaaal quick). Hell, in multiple classes I've scored 60's-70's on first tests and come out with A's. If your next test is before mid-term, stick around until then and see how that one goes. Also, stop by your professors office and ask him/her if he/she has some study tips to succeed in the class. You can do it.

 

[ComfortCreature]

Bro, don't think that way. I got a 51 on one of my first exams in a class and ended up with a B (I got my ish together reeeaaaal quick). Hell, in multiple classes I've scored 60's-70's on first tests and come out with A's. If your next test is before mid-term, stick around until then and see how that one goes. Also, stop by your professors office and ask him/her if he/she has some study tips to succeed in the class. You can do it.

I'm with this line of thinking, for sure. In my experience with biochem, the first exam was much different than the other three and it's not the best indicator of your performance for the rest of the semester. Either way, talk to your professor before you settle on withdrawing.

 

[AznSeal]

thanks for the responses!

So does one W doesnt matter on a transcript?

 

[ShenanigansMD]

thanks for the responses!

So does one W doesnt matter on a transcript?

Yeah nobody cares. In fact, nobody really cares about one C, except maybe for a class like biochem.

 

[La Presse]

W


Sent from my iPad using SDN Mobile app

 

[debvz]

For some reason I just don't get biochem.

If you "just don't get biochem" it's best to ramp up your studying and stick with it. Go to office hours or get a study buddy or tutor if necessary. The more exposure you get to the material now, the less that will be foreign to you in med school. It will certainly be more detailed and taught at a faster pace the next time you see it as a med student.

 

[twizzlers713]

Hello

I'm currently a junior and I just had my first test in biochem and I think i did poorly. Unfortunately, the entire class is simply just 4 tests and I don't think i can recover.

Should I man up and take the C or go with the W?

Usually if this was any premed class, i'd just take C to stay on track to graduate, but in this case, my major is actually Zoology so i'm taking Biochem as an elective so it's not required. I'm taking 17 hours so if i drop biochem, I go down to 14 and it seems a lot more reasonable.

So, go with the C or W? My currently GPA is 3.9

like others said: if you got something along the lines of a 0 and you're highest possible grade is a 75, you better withdraw. if you got a 60 and can certainly pull off an A or B, do that

 

[Cambino]

Hello

I'm currently a junior and I just had my first test in biochem and I think i did poorly. Unfortunately, the entire class is simply just 4 tests and I don't think i can recover.

Should I man up and take the C or go with the W?

Usually if this was any premed class, i'd just take C to stay on track to graduate, but in this case, my major is actually Zoology so i'm taking Biochem as an elective so it's not required. I'm taking 17 hours so if i drop biochem, I go down to 14 and it seems a lot more reasonable.

So, go with the C or W? My currently GPA is 3.9

I got a 39% on the final in Honors Calc-based Physics III and ended up with a B+ in the class.

 

[TarHeelEMT]

As an undergrad, I almost always signed up for one more class than I intended to take, planning to drop the one that seemed the worst. There are so many reasons to drop a class that I can't imagine admissions people fretting over a W. Biochem isn't even a prereq most places, is it? I certainly didn't take it as an undergrad, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been added since.

Regardless, a W is not a big deal. A C isn't a death sentence, either (trust me, I got plenty).

 

[FirstAndFinal]

First, find out how you actually did. Speculating when you don't know your score, don't know whether the prof will curve, etc. is very premature. Second, when you get your score, actually calculate out what you could get in the course, and find out how much work that will take. Meet with the professor to discuss this and what you can/should do to get an A in the course. After that, look at your schedule and whether you can realistically pull off a B or better in the course with your work load. Only if you decide you can't pull it off after getting all the information should you decide to drop.

I agree with this. Wait for the grade, talk to the professor. Sometimes they'll have policies where if your final exam score is higher than what would be your overall course grade you'll get the final exam grade instead--or some other saving grace policy. It's important that you evaluate whether you actually think you can do well in this class though. Don't just do the math (I have an F now, if I get 4 As I'll get a B!) because it's unrealistic to think that you'll jump from a lousy score to the top of the class on all the rest of the exams. Yes a lot of SDN people are telling you that they've done it but that doesn't mean you or most people can. If in the end it feels like the best thing to do is take a W, do it and don't feel bad! The last thing you want is a C or worse in this course and poor grades in other courses because biochem sucked up your time and energy.

 

[greg1184]

Take the W. Some adcomms may take stock on Biochem as an especially important course. If you take a W and get an A afterwards, you are good. Make sure to be ready to explain any W on your application. It is, however, better than trying to explain a C IMO.

Finally, as long as you don't get too many, a W won't hurt your application.

Good luck.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Take a W unless you think you can make a B.

 

[AznSeal]

Holy crap. Got my exam back. Made a 85. The class average was around a 60. What is this I dont even...LOL

Anyways, now that i'll stay in biochem, new question:

Should I continue and do Biochem II next semester or Human Anatomy I?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Holy crap. Got my exam back. Made a 85. The class average was around a 60. What is this I dont even...LOL

Anyways, now that i'll stay in biochem, new question:

Should I continue and do Biochem II next semester or Human Anatomy I?

Biochem II. Learn all the things! 😀

 

[Koosalagoosagoo]

Holy crap. Got my exam back. Made a 85. The class average was around a 60. What is this I dont even...LOL

Anyways, now that i'll stay in biochem, new question:

Should I continue and do Biochem II next semester or Human Anatomy I?

Was it curved like a mutha or something?