What should I do in this situation?

[AspiringDoc422]

I failed my first physics exam pretty badly, unfortunately prof doesn’t use book or powerpoints, which is my favorite way to study, and to make matters worse no exams are dropped. Drop deadline is in two weeks, but I don’t plan on dropping because I already have 8Ws ( 6 of which are from one semester due to a medical issue) , I’m obviously studying my tail off for the remaining tests with the hopes of trying to get a C or b- in the class, but I can tell that Physics is definitely not my strength lol. But if the worse were to happen (not passing) what would that entail? Would it immediately make a smp a requirement? Current gpa around 3.75, good research and volunteering, non science major, around 2 years left of u grad, I’d definitely appreciate some advice

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[Goro]

I failed my first physics exam pretty badly, unfortunately prof doesn’t use book or powerpoints, which is my favorite way to study, and to make matters worse no exams are dropped. Drop deadline is in two weeks, but I don’t plan on dropping because I already have 8Ws ( 6 of which are from one semester due to a medical issue) , I’m obviously studying my tail off for the remaining tests with the hopes of trying to get a C or b- in the class, but I can tell that Physics is definitely not my strength lol. But if the worse were to happen (not passing) what would that entail? Would it immediately make a smp a requirement? Current gpa around 3.75, good research and volunteering, non science major, around 2 years left of u grad, I’d definitely appreciate some advice

Drop the course. Now.

6 Ws in a single semester telegraphs that you had outside life issues. You won't get penalized for that.

 

[AspiringDoc422]

Drop the course. Now.

6 Ws in a single semester telegraphs that you had outside life issues. You won't get penalized for that.

Would it make sense to see how I do on the next exam in a few days? Talked with prof who said that if I do well on remaining exams he might bump me up a bit but the bad exam would still stand, and are you saying that if I drop this course( prob with lab) I will only have 3or 4 “normal” Ws with the rest being completely excused? Would so many Ws make a Smp required? Basically I’d like to know if it would be better to have 8Ws and possibly one D- or just the 9 or 10 Ws? Thanks a lot for the advice! And sorry for the neuroticism lol

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Would it make sense to see how I do on the next exam in a few days? Talked with prof who said that if I do well on remaining exams he might bump me up a bit but the bad exam would still stand, and are you saying that if I drop this course( prob with lab) I will only have 3or 4 “normal” Ws with the rest being completely excused? Would so many Ws make a Smp required? Basically I’d like to know if it would be better to have 8Ws and possibly one D- or just the 9 or 10 Ws? Thanks a lot for the advice! And sorry for the neuroticism lol

A W will probably look better than a D or D-. Your GPA is pretty high so I don't think an SMP will be required, unless your sGPA is significantly lower than everything else.

If it won't negatively affect you, then go ahead and take your upcoming exam. If you believe you can still pull a C+ or above, I would just stick with the course.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[AspiringDoc422]

Thank you for the advice, would I have a shot at both Md and Do programs in the future with this many Ws, I know it’s too early to tell w/o an mcat, but I’d just like a general idea, thanks!

 

[Goro]

Thank you for the advice, would I have a shot at both Md and Do programs in the future with this many Ws, I know it’s too early to tell w/o an mcat, but I’d just like a general idea, thanks!

Yes, you still have a shot. Ws get some bad rap on SDN...some people act like they're worse than Fs.

 

[candbgirl]

A D- goes into your GPA, a W doesn’t.

 

[deleted859689]

I failed my first physics exam pretty badly, unfortunately prof doesn’t use book or powerpoints, which is my favorite way to study, and to make matters worse no exams are dropped. Drop deadline is in two weeks, but I don’t plan on dropping because I already have 8Ws ( 6 of which are from one semester due to a medical issue) , I’m obviously studying my tail off for the remaining tests with the hopes of trying to get a C or b- in the class, but I can tell that Physics is definitely not my strength lol. But if the worse were to happen (not passing) what would that entail? Would it immediately make a smp a requirement? Current gpa around 3.75, good research and volunteering, non science major, around 2 years left of u grad, I’d definitely appreciate some advice

I suggest khan academy videos for physics review!

 

[AspiringDoc422]

Looks like I got a C+ on the second exam, should I risk it or drop? My current average is a d for the class, sad cause I’m sure with another professor it would be an A. Looks like I’m done for md either way cause of the unfortunate Ws , thanks

 

[deleted859689]

Drop the course. Now.

6 Ws in a single semester telegraphs that you had outside life issues. You won't get penalized for that.

Shoulda listened to Goro. I’m also assuming you didn’t watch any Khan Academy videos either.

 

[AspiringDoc422]

Shoulda listened to Goro. I’m also assuming you didn’t watch any Khan Academy videos either.

Watched hours of online physics videos, including Khan academy, it was helpful but it won’t prepare you for some of my professor’s gotcha questions, and each question has Huge weight on these tests. I did improve from my first exam by over 30% though. No textbook, powerpoints, curves, dropped exams, or tutoring sessions for my class section for some reason either. The class averages were pretty high, but physics and math are weak points for me.

 

[deleted859689]

Watched hours of online physics videos, including Khan academy, it was helpful but it won’t prepare you for some of my professor’s gotcha questions, and each question has Huge weight on these tests. I did improve from my first exam by over 30% though. No textbook, powerpoints, curves, dropped exams, or tutoring sessions for my class section for some reason either. The class averages were pretty high, but physics and math are weak points for me.

Sorry for assuming. You got this man. I had a 2.9 sGPA in undergrad. Proof that you can make it.

 

[Goro]

Looks like I got a C+ on the second exam, should I risk it or drop? My current average is a d for the class, sad cause I’m sure with another professor it would be an A. Looks like I’m done for md either way cause of the unfortunate Ws , thanks

People who have the mindset that they're going to come off the bench and hit a grand slam for the Nationals to with the World Series seldom go far in life.
Magic thinking won't get you into med school either.

You've been warned.

 

[AspiringDoc422]

People who have the mindset that they're going to come off the bench and hit a grand slam for the Nationals to with the World Series seldom go far in life.
Magic thinking won't get you into med school either.

You've been warned.

?? Where did I give off the impression that I was “thinking magically,” pretty sure that I said the opposite, which was that due to some unfortunate parts of my transcripts I’m probably not going to have too much of a chance at md, probably better chances at do.

 

[Goro]

?? Where did I give off the impression that I was “thinking magically,” pretty sure that I said the opposite, which was that due to some unfortunate parts of my transcripts I’m probably not going to have too much of a chance at md, probably better chances at do.

Looks like I got a C+ on the second exam, should I risk it or drop?

 

[AspiringDoc422]

Looks like I got a C+ on the second exam, should I risk it or drop?

Well yes I am heading more towards the direction of dropping it, just wanted some more input since it’s not a decision to make lightly, it stinks because It means that I’m probably going to have to drop the lab too and have a 3rd 12-13 credit semester and 10Ws. Also my parents are kinda pressuring me not to drop , lol

 

[Goro]

Well yes I am heading more towards the direction of dropping it, just wanted some more input since it’s not a decision to make lightly, it stinks because It means that I’m probably going to have to drop the lab too and have a 3rd 12-13 credit semester and 10Ws. Also my parents are kinda pressuring me not to drop , lol

Ahhh, parents. Doing their best out of love and ignorance to wreck your medical career.

 

[star-lily]

Drop it drop it drop it drop it.

 

[candbgirl]

Looks like I got a C+ on the second exam, should I risk it or drop? My current average is a d for the class, sad cause I’m sure with another professor it would be an A. Looks like I’m done for md either way cause of the unfortunate Ws , thanks

So you decided you want that D averaged into your GPA? With a D you will have to retake anyway. So the only impact in staying in the class is to your GPA.