Pre-med school concerns and questions? Anyone in that field?

Question

I really want to get in to pre-med but I really need help or any good infos to help me make this decision. I am a sophomore transfer and I'm taking this chem class and I have a C in there right not--I don't know if I should drop that class because of that C. B/c I heard that if you want to get into med school, that C won't look good at all and especially it's a science course. So is dropping better or stay in it w/ a C?

but what if I have another C in this other social science class (sociology)? Would 2 C's - one in a science course and one in an elective course - look
ok or not? Or drop chem and keep the C in that elective class? Which one is better for me? <<4 med-school to look at...

Answer 1

I am in medical school right now, so I know this process well.

You talking about a C in gen chem? If you screw up once and get a C, it is not a deal breaker. However, if you chronically have poor scores in the sciences (chem, o-chem, biochem, micro, physics, bio, etc...) then that is when things start to look bad.

Honestly, there are so many factors that get you into med school. Let me list them for you...

- GPA
- Science GPA
- GPA in your major of study
- Did you work/have a job while you were in school?
- MCAT score
- Personal statements on applications
- Work experience in health care
- volunteer work
- research experience
- extracurricular activity
- INTERVIEWS

I got a "C" in organic chemistry II. Who cares. My GPA was 3.9 overall. It has a lot to do with the teacher, where you took the class, etc. Believe me, they (the schools) simply dont have time to go through your application in insane detail.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Ryan

PS - My C in organic chem never came up in the interviews. A lot of the time the interviews are done by people who know NOTHING about your application at all.

Answer 2

You can get it into med school with a C in chemistry.

Most med schools seperate the applicants by a minimum GPA. If you have that GPA they will read your application. If they like your application, MCAT scores, and personal statement they will have an interview with you. During that interview they will probably have you explain that C.

So it depends... did you get that C because you were working two jobs and caring for your parents children (like I did). Or did you get that C because you have no self control or time management? Or are you just having trouble adjusting to college science courses?

If its the first one, I say take the C and move on.
If its the second one, I say you need to speak to some people and put your priorities together.
If its the third one, I say you should definitely retake it for yourself.
So you can be a stronger student and person.

Good luck.

Answer 3

My brother is triple boarded in Internal med/ peds/ and emergency medicine. he was the chief pediatric resident in a major university and also a pediatric fellow.. and he also got a c a very low c in chemistry. I think this is very common and as long as you keep the rest of your grades up and do well on your mcat you'll be fine. Good luck.