Withdrawing from class?

[bingutothetop]

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I'm currently a junior with a 3.25 gpa. I'm taking 5 classes (18 credits). I'm doing well in all of my classes except for biochem. I was sick for the first exam, and the professor doesn't give a make up, rather they make the final count twice (60 percent). I just took the second exam, and didn't think it went too well. I could stay in the class and hope for the best (the final has historically been the lowest average of the three tests), or I can withdraw.
I was going to graduate at the end of the year by taking a winter class and studying abroad next fall, but now I am debating whether I should stay for the next two semesters and take less credits and study for the mcat.
How bad would the withdrawal look? Would it make or break my app. I will not be retaking it if I withdraw.

 

[arc5005]

I'm currently a junior with a 3.25 gpa. I'm taking 5 classes (18 credits). I'm doing well in all of my classes except for biochem. I was sick for the first exam, and the professor doesn't give a make up, rather they make the final count twice (60 percent). I just took the second exam, and didn't think it went too well. I could stay in the class and hope for the best (the final has historically been the lowest average of the three tests), or I can withdraw.
I was going to graduate at the end of the year by taking a winter class and studying abroad next fall, but now I am debating whether I should stay for the next two semesters and take less credits and study for the mcat.
How bad would the withdrawal look? Would it make or break my app. I will not be retaking it if I withdraw.

1 withdraw isn't going to look horrible. A lot of people have gotten into DO programs with multiple W's. You need to get at least a B or higher in biochem. You can't afford your gpa to decrease, because your GPA is on the low end. Withdraw if you can't get a B, and re-take the course.

Edit* Studying abroad was the best 4 months of my life. If you have to extend your time in undergrad do it just to study abroad IMHO. DO school isn't going anywhere.

 

[arc5005]

Also study abroad classes count towards your GPA, and they tend to be easyish A's & B's (depending on how much effort you actually put into them)

 

[bingutothetop]

It will be my second, my first was musical theater freshman year. I agree with your point, but my other classes may all be As and I can still end the semester strong.

 

[bingutothetop]

I don't want to retake the course. Is that okay or would it be a red flag

 

[arc5005]

I don't want to retake the course. Is that okay or would it be a red flag

I'm not entirely sure tbh. Have you already taken the MCAT? A lot of people recommend having biochem for the new MCAT. Might be a good idea to master Biochem before MCAT/Med School.

While Biochem isn't a requirement yet for med/do school, it might become one soon, and that may mean that a W would be a red flag if/when that does occur. Not sure how soon you are applying.

 

[bingutothetop]

Plan on applying in June/July. It's not a requirement for anything, it will be covered on the mcat but I feel confident that I could handle it since I'll be reviewing for the mcat.

 

[arc5005]

Maybe an adcom like @Goro could let you know what he or an adcom committee would think of seeing a W in biochem. I'm not sure how it would be viewed compared to a non-pre-req or a pre-req like bio/chem/physics/orgo-c

 

[bingutothetop]

If it changes anything, I had a 2.7 freshman year and have had a3.62ish gpa since factoring in winter and summer classes. This semester I have a realistic chance of a 4.0 if I withdraw biochem

 

[Goro]

We don't care about individual W's.

A smattering of them around the transcript suggest GPA protection.

And entire semester of them implies a significant life event occurred (and also some wisdom, as the student decided not to bull through when at a major disadvantage).

Maybe an adcom like @Goro could let you know what he or an adcom committee would think of seeing a W in biochem. I'm not sure how it would be viewed compared to a non-pre-req or a pre-req like bio/chem/physics/orgo-c

 

[bingutothetop]

We don't care about individual W's.

A smattering of them around the transcript suggest GPA protection.

And entire semester of them implies a significant life event occurred (and also some wisdom, as the student decided not to bull through when at a major disadvantage).

Is it something I could be asked about/does it look bad that I won't retake it/two withdrawals isn't a smattering is it?

 

[Goro]

Just like a black spot draws attention to an all white canvas, so a sole W or two might draw an interviewer to ask "so what's up with that W in Biochem?"

So, have a good answer.

Is it something I could be asked about/does it look bad that I won't retake it/two withdrawals isn't a smattering is it?

 

[bingutothetop]

Just like a black spot draws attention to an all white canvas, so a sole W or two might draw an interviewer to ask "so what's up with that W in Biochem?"

So, have a good answer.

Does saying that I was sick on test day and the professor not being able to accommodate me (which is the truth) enough of an answer? Thank you!!

 

[Goro]

yes, but to a point. One could then ask "why didn't you master the material in the time you had left? Med school will be much harder than your Biochem course"

Does saying that I was sick on test day and the professor not being able to accommodate me (which is the truth) enough of an answer? Thank you!!

 

[bingutothetop]

yes, but to a point. One could then ask "why didn't you master the material in the time you had left? Med school will be much harder than your Biochem course"

Yeah, that's essentially why I'm questioning what to do. I don't know how much that withdrawal could come back and haunt me

 

[Goro]

In med school you will have to master large volumes of material in short periods of time.

If you can't do it for Biochem now, HOW are you going to do it for med school??

Yeah, that's essentially why I'm questioning what to do. I don't know how much that withdrawal could come back and haunt me

 

[bingutothetop]

In med school you will have to master large volumes of material in short periods of time.

If you can't do it for Biochem now, HOW are you going to do it for med school??

It's not a question of whether or not I can, I believe I can. I just don't think it's worth the risk

 

[bingutothetop]

It's not a question of whether or not I can, I believe I can. I just don't think it's worth the risk

Especially given my grades now and the fact that it's 60 percent of my grade

 

[Goro]

Your call.

It's not a question of whether or not I can, I believe I can. I just don't think it's worth the risk

 

[123456123456]

One W is not bad, I had 1 W on my app and am pending to hear from my first interview to see the status. I received a W in biochem and do feel I could have done a lot better on the MCAT if I completed the class

 

[OrdinaryDO]

I'm not entirely sure tbh. Have you already taken the MCAT? A lot of people recommend having biochem for the new MCAT. Might be a good idea to master Biochem before MCAT/Med School.

While Biochem isn't a requirement yet for med/do school, it might become one soon, and that may mean that a W would be a red flag if/when that does occur. Not sure how soon you are applying.

Some D.O. schools do require Biochemistry.

 

[dapdrow]

Does saying that I was sick on test day and the professor not being able to accommodate me (which is the truth) enough of an answer? Thank you!!

I had the flu when I had a histology exam. We had two practicals over the course of a semester. I wasn't able to retake so the second practical counted for 100% of that component. Couldn't do anything about it.

I have withdrawn from classes though. 🙂 Just not that one.