Question about Medical and Dental school???

Question

Okay, I am a bit embarrassed, I am on the brink (have a D by 1 point, right before the final) of receiving an F in Organic Chemistry and I have honestly tried so hard to understand this class. I am at a really tough school and it is a known fact that our teacher tries to trick us on the test! I am not talking bad about him because I completely understand the importance of the subject. About a month ago, I came down with the worst virus that I've ever encountered. I am now feeling well, but at the time it enormously hindered my studying abilities. Also, I am taking Physics along with a Cell Biology class and have labs with every one. I know that I am in a hole and I will never give up on my goal to become a doctor one day, it's my dream. So, my question is with a F in Organic, is it impossible to get into Med or Dental school? Or, should I cut my losses? Thanks so much for any information!

Answer 1

Drop the class if you still can. If you can't, then you'll have to take it again. Make it your goal to get an A in it the second time around. Your school may have a GPA adjustment policy for classes that you retake, so find out about that. You'll have to juggle more difficult classes than physics and cell bio if you get into medical school, so you should try to work on your study habits now. Medical and dental schools vary widely in their admissions requirements, and if you're otherwise motivated or have a good academic career then you have a chance. Be sure to look at osteopathic as well as allopathic schools. Osteopathic schools generally look at the "big picture" when assessing an applicant, as opposed to allopathic schools which mostly look at the numbers GPA+MCAT (although this is just a generalization). If you're not a suitable candidate, you can always look for alternate studies. You can go into nursing or allied health fields like physical therapy or dietetics, become an EMT, do biomedical research at a university or in industry, or go to graduate school. You can always apply to medical school after you get a masters degree if your undergraduate experience didn't go as well as you had planned. I know a DVM that did just that. I like to think that where there's a will, there's a way!

Answer 2

I'm not sure about medical schools but I'm going to dental school and when I went to an admissions meeting as a freshman I was told that only 20% of their decision is GPA, the rest of it is volunteer work, shadowing, observation, and things like that. I go to the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, they look for State residents, women and minorities mostly. I know one person who had a perfect GPA came from an Ivy league school and ended up not getting in over someone like me who has a AAS degree in dental assisting, B.S in Dental therapy because I have the experience. It doesn't matter the school, it just matters how much work you've done in the community.

Answer 3

Sounds like you will have to re-take the class. I would also talk to your advisor and find out if you are SOL because you failed it once...or if you still have a chance if you retake it and bring the grade up. You may have to suck it up and take ONLY that class to make sure you understand the material. Also try to get a different teacher if at all possible.

Keep in mind if you want to be a doctor but, can't make medical school you can go the Doctor of Osteopathy route...I think they may be a tad more leinent...I have a cousin who was turned down for medical school but, got into soteopathy school.

Also, you could also become a physicians assistant which is also a good route and you are still helping people.

Answer 4

At all cost, avoid the D or F in any class. Drop or withdraw from the class if you know for certain that will be your grade. Retake the course and do well in it. Just remember the important thing. Why are you going into med school in the first place? What is your passion in life? Know that, and that will motivate you to do well in class.

Even if you did poorly in some areas, don't discount med school all together. There are other options. You may try US osteopathic schools or med schools in the Caribbean like St. George or Ross.

Answer 5

No, it won't be impossible, but you will have to do several things to compensate for that. And, you will be looking at an up-hill battle to compete with students who've gotten A's in all these and other classes.

First, you'll certainly need to re-take that class, and perhaps others that you've not done well in. You'll also need to do very well in later classes, so that it is apparent that you are capable of learning and understanding large amounts of material. Eventually in your applications, you may be well served to explain what happened this semester.

Those things, coupled with a good MCAT score might make your applications acceptable.

Answer 6

Wow those are some tough classes to take in one quarter. Anyway, an F in organic chem is a big "no no". If you think you are gonna fail it, then either drop it or go through with it this time and retake it next quarter. Dental/medical school will not accept a F in organic chem.