withdrawl from ochem or take the C?

[tex24]

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Background: biochem major, premed, 3.81 cumulative gpa, currently a sophomore

Problem: May end up with C(at worst)/C+/B-(at best) in ochem lecture and C+(at worst)/B-(at best) in ochem lab. I want to get into medical school so the C's are clearly not good. Withdraw and retake or not?

Two options:

A: Do not withdraw from ochem lecture and lab, risk getting C at worst, B- at best in lecture (90 or better on final exam will give B-...I'll most likely get a C/C+), and probably get a C+/B- in lab

B: Withdraw from ochem lecture, ochem lab, and retake next year for better grades (but will be taking alongside biochemistry, analytical chemistry, genetics, so it will be a heavy workload)

Which is the better option? Should I risk it or no? I'm meeting with my advisor tomorrow I'm just wanting more opinions.

Thanks everyone, if you have any more questions just ask

 

[Hejman]

I would be hesitant to withdraw. I say stick to it and complete the final with a B-/C+ in the class- which by the way, is not a HORRIBLE grade. Besides, this one grade means little in the overall application. What will matter is your overall GPA- both science and cumulative, and non-science. Since you are a Biochem major, it hardly matters, since you will be taking classes like analytical chemistry, advanced organic and physical chemistry, all of which are much, much tougher than organic chemistry, not to mention biochemistry classes. What you should also know is that Organic is currently a heated topic of contention within the AAMC, so much so that many "top" and tier 2 medical schools have REMOVED Organic chemistry 2 as a requirement (and I mean Harvard and Duke,etc, etc) and they are considering sacking the Organic labs for both semesters as well; they are also considering modifying the MCAT so that there is little to no organic chemistry on there. As they should, because last time I checked, my dermatologist knew close to nil about Organic chemistry, and rightfully so, because it has almost no practical applications/usage by physicians (unless you are an MD/PHD working for big Pharma)

/End rant.

 

[QueSera12]

C's don't look good, but withdrawals don't either. Which class (lecture or lab) do you feel better about? I would suggest taking one withdrawal and then trying your best/funneling all your energy into doing well in the other class. This might salvage your transcript somewhat. Alternatively, you could work really hard in one class and accept getting a C in the other.

One bad grade won't kill you - I also got a B- in O. Chem I, and no interviewer has asked me about it. I think as long as you can show you learned from your experiences and there's an upward trend in your GPA, you should be fine. Just make sure you work really hard in future O. Chem classes!

 

[IrishCalini]

Don't withdraw. It's only one class...and its ORGO. It's tough for everyone. I know a couple of my friends who got Cs or C+s in Orgo or other pre-req's that have received acceptances to med school already

But its your call

 

[tex24]

Don't withdraw. It's only one class...and its ORGO. It's tough for everyone. I know a couple of my friends who got Cs or C+s in Orgo or other pre-req's that have received acceptances to med school already

But its your call

Well technically it's orgo and lab, two classes.

And also, if I withdraw, I will have sooo much more time to put into my other exams, I'd do much better on them.

Solid advice so far everyone. I'll definitely be using this site often and reading up a lot.

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

If you are very likely to get a C I would actually suggest withdrawing. Organic Chem is a pretty notoriously difficult class and also an important class, in some cases even more important than General Chemistry, so it would be very wise to focus on getting a definite B, or even better, an A.

 

[PreMedder]

The withdraw will be worse than a C / potential B-, and anyways - taking it alongside those other classes is likely to not necessarily lead to an improvement in the grade. So your worst case scenario is withdrawing then getting the B-/C anyways next year along with biochem/a-chem/genetics.. that would just suck.

And as someone posted above, those grades aren't absolutely terrible, especially if you have more time next year to excel in biochem/a-chem.

 

[tex24]

The withdraw will be worse than a C / potential B-, and anyways - taking it alongside those other classes is likely to not necessarily lead to an improvement in the grade. So your worst case scenario is withdrawing then getting the B-/C anyways next year along with biochem/a-chem/genetics.. that would just suck.

And as someone posted above, those grades aren't absolutely terrible, especially if you have more time next year to excel in biochem/a-chem.

True, jr year would be near impossible 🙁

So a C+ in lecture and C+ in lab for ONE semester (lets say I bring them both up to B/B+ or better next semester) wouldn't be too terrible? I'm just worried about my gpa

It just sucks my semester gpa could end up around a 3.3, which would bring my 3.8 cumulative down to a 3.63 cumulative

 

[Hejman]

True, jr year would be near impossible 🙁

So a C+ in lecture and C+ in lab for ONE semester (lets say I bring them both up to B/B+ or better next semester) wouldn't be too terrible? I'm just worried about my gpa

It just sucks my semester gpa could end up around a 3.3, which would bring my 3.8 cumulative down to a 3.63 cumulative

Dont sweat it bro. This one blemish will hardly matter. Move on and finish the semester with a smile. Enjoy Christmas!

 

[Overhauser]

I would be more worried about having a shaky foundation for your biochemistry major. Unless you have a solid grasp of the concepts but are struggling with the specifics (i.e., organic syntheses, reagents, etc.), then you'll probably be fine.

 

[tex24]

Dont sweat it bro. This one blemish will hardly matter. Move on and finish the semester with a smile. Enjoy Christmas!

Thanks man I appreciate it, you too.

Any other advice welcome

 

[JJMrK]

One bad grade won't kill your application. I'd do what you can to get yourself up to a B or B-, but would ultimately just take the grade.

 

[wristbandMD]

Don't withdraw. (Although, W's are not as bad as everyone on this thread is making them seem). I would suggest staying in the class and (as the poster above said) doing everything that you can to get a B. A B/C in organic will not be what breaks your application.

 

[PBMCs]

Not a big deal. I had 4 C's in undergrad, all in chem/ochem and didn't retake anything. I already have an acceptance this cycle, and more interviews to come.

 

[tex24]

I think my knowledge of orgo is pretty good, but my professor is hard as **** and tricks us on tests, hence my situation. The class avg for the last two tests was a 64, and I know for damn sure I'm in the top part of the class in terms of intelligence (but maybe not work ethic)

Not a big deal. I had 4 C's in undergrad, all in chem/ochem and didn't retake anything. I already have an acceptance this cycle, and more interviews to come.

What was your gpa? I feel like four C's would kill it

 

[PBMCs]

What was your gpa? I feel like four C's would kill it

Don't really remember. I think cGPA was around 3.5 and sGPA was 3.3-3.4ish. Science major though, with strong upward trend (4.0 all upper level sci courses after year of C's). It also helped that I added 8 points to my MCAT score.

 

[orthomyxo]

How can you still withdraw? Finals are like 2 weeks away. In any case, I'd say to stick it out. One high C/B- isn't going to kill you, just make sure to do better in orgo 2 and upper level science classes to make up for it.

 

[Bayonetwork]

Def stick it out! Countless times have I been in your predicament and most of the time ended up with an A or a B..finals usually help if you really understand the material.

The lab thing is a bitch though. Today in my last Orgo 2 lab of the semester, my last unknown (4 total) did not synthesize after I did the experiment 4 times over to perfection...esters are a #@#$@. The worst part is our entire grade is based on these 4 synthesis, so if you don't get any crystals for one experiment, then your already down to a C. The worst part is my TA laughed about it in my face...I almost punched my first professor.

 

[tex24]

Pretty sure I am withdrawing at this point. Can't afford the ****ty grade (plus the risk that my physics grade could go down if I don't spend a ton of time studying for that final). I'll hopefully dominate physics final, and pull a 3.8ish for the semester, then retake ochem next year.

Ochem, analytical, biochem, genetics....jr yr....I'm scared

 

[violet7]

I withdrew once from Physics with Calculus. Then retook and got an A. Never got a single question about. And I interviewed a lot.

 

[MeowMeowCAT]

I am a bit puzzled about the many responses saying "Don't worry about it, it will not effect your application, etc." Isn't this a prerequisite class, like one you where it actually is important to do well?

Pretty sure I am withdrawing at this point. Can't afford the ****ty grade (plus the risk that my physics grade could go down if I don't spend a ton of time studying for that final). I'll hopefully dominate physics final, and pull a 3.8ish for the semester, then retake ochem next year.

Ochem, analytical, biochem, genetics....jr yr....I'm scared

Good luck. Genetics is actually a nice class, pretty straight forward. Found it rather easy to get a good grade.

 

[tex24]

I am a bit puzzled about the many responses saying "Don't worry about it, it will not effect your application, etc." Isn't this a prerequisite class, like one you where it actually is important to do well?



Good luck. Genetics is actually a nice class, pretty straight forward. Found it rather easy to get a good grade.

Hence me wanting to withdraw since it would lower my science/in major/pre-req GPA quite a bit.

Thanks, I know genetics won't be too bad. I do very well in my biology classes, it's physics and ochem that seem to be giving me trouble at the moment.

 

[orthomyxo]

I am a bit puzzled about the many responses saying "Don't worry about it, it will not effect your application, etc." Isn't this a prerequisite class, like one you where it actually is important to do well?

Yes, but we're talking about organic chemistry here. Most students have trouble with it. Besides, one mediocre grade isn't going to kill your entire application, especially if it is the only blemish. I really don't think med schools expect you to be a walking sack of perfection, although SDN does its best to say otherwise.

 

[tex24]

Yes, but we're talking about organic chemistry here. Most students have trouble with it. Besides, one mediocre grade isn't going to kill your entire application, especially if it is the only blemish. I really don't think med schools expect you to be a walking sack of perfection, although SDN does its best to say otherwise.

Well I'd really like to get into medical school, so I'd like to be as close to perfect as possible before applying to increase my chances.

 

[orthomyxo]

Well I'd really like to get into medical school, so I'd like to be as close to perfect as possible before applying to increase my chances.

Do what you want, but there's a reason why nearly everybody who replied to this thread told you not to withdraw.

You should really consider the fact that your junior year is going to be hell. It will look extremely bad if you have a W for orgo 1 and manage to get a mediocre grade the second time around. One C >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a W and a C

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Hence me wanting to withdraw since it would lower my science/in major/pre-req GPA quite a bit.

Thanks, I know genetics won't be too bad. I do very well in my biology classes, it's physics and ochem that seem to be giving me trouble at the moment.

I would withdraw. I had a similar situation with Calculus, but I stayed in too long. Then I dropped to try to focus on Biology, but it was too late to get anything higher than C+ (Unless I got >90% on last test and on the very hard cumulative final as well). I wish I would've dropped because I could've easily got at least a B/B+ in bio, and I'm taking Calculus now and will get something in the B range. All of that being said, a few C's won't kill you (I have two: first sem. bio and C+ second sem. gen chem). You will be fine, just try to get B+/A's in all of your others.

I wouldn't be so nonchalant about genetics. I'm not sure where you go to college, but where I go it is one of the most difficult upper levels you could take. I know people that aced a very hard Intro to Bio and then struggled for a B (not that B's are the end of the world). Good luck with everything!

 

[tex24]

Do what you want, but there's a reason why nearly everybody who replied to this thread told you not to withdraw.

You should really consider the fact that your junior year is going to be hell. It will look extremely bad if you have a W for orgo 1 and manage to get a mediocre grade the second time around. One C >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a W and a C

At this point withdrawing is pretty necessary. If I stayed, I'd probably end up not doing as well on physics, giving me a C+ there as opposed to the A- I could get if I focus hard on it.

Would rather take one W, focus on another class and get a B+/A-, than not withdraw, take the C/C+ in ochem, and also taking a C/C+ in physics

I would withdraw. I had a similar situation with Calculus, but I stayed in too long. Then I dropped to try to focus on Biology, but it was too late to get anything higher than C+ (Unless I got >90% on last test and on the very hard cumulative final as well). I wish I would've dropped because I could've easily got at least a B/B+ in bio, and I'm taking Calculus now and will get something in the B range. All of that being said, a few C's won't kill you (I have two: first sem. bio and C+ second sem. gen chem). You will be fine, just try to get B+/A's in all of your others.

I wouldn't be so nonchalant about genetics. I'm not sure where you go to college, but where I go it is one of the most difficult upper levels you could take. I know people that aced a very hard Intro to Bio and then struggled for a B (not that B's are the end of the world). Good luck with everything!

Thanks!

 

[tex24]

I'm going to talk to my advisor tomorrow and see what he has to say.

I'm wondering if I can move either analytical, genetics, biochem or ochem to another time besides next year.

Do medical schools frown upon retaking classes over the summer at the same university?

 

[tomh98]

take the C and kick ass in your future chem classes.