<p>So I'm not doing too well in OChem II. It's really kicking my butt. I have about a 70 average right now, and there are two tests left and the final. At the best I could get a B, but that's pretty much impossible (100s on both).</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if I should plan on retaking this class next semester for GPA purposes, not knowledge. The funny thing is, I feel like I actually know quite a bit of OChem. I am interested in going to graduate school (PhD) for nanoscience, NOT related in any way to OChem. I do love quantitative chemistry.</p>
<p>When someone says OChem II, I relive the pain. Hardest class I ever took. My sense is that the B in this one class is not going to make or break you, especially since it won’t be related to your research interests.</p>
<p>Will a C in organic chem hurt you? Sure. Just like a C in any science would. What’s important though is how much it will hurt you. What’s your overall GPA going to be at the end of this semester? You’re young (I’m guessing a sophomore?), so you still have plenty of time to recover here. Don’t bother retaking the class if you pass, unless you have the money/time (but I’d say this for any course you got a C in).</p>
<p>If you want to get a PhD in chemical engineering from a good university, shoot for a 3.7 GPA BARE MINIMUM. Anything higher is a plus. Sure you can get in NoOneCares University with a 3.1, some research experience, and average letters of rec. But if you’re serious about earning a PhD at a well regarded program, you need to focus on getting that GPA the best it can be.</p>
<p>Also, don’t be so quick to cast all of ‘nanoscience’ (is that what we’re calling my field now?) as free of organic chemistry. I work in the nanoworld, and organic chemistry is an integral part. You have literally no idea what your thesis topic is going to be, and it could very well demand some knowledge that you’re getting in organic chem right now. But I love when undergrads tell me what my field is and isn’t, so do go on.</p>
<p>I am indeed a sophomore and have a 3.8 (rounded up) now. This semester I’ll probably get about the same, hopefully a little higher.</p>
<p>I know that all of nanoscience isn’t free of organic chemistry. I’m doing an REU at one of the best nano facilities in the US this summer. My project has absolutely nothing to do with organic chemistry. It’s more electrical engineering, which is what really interests me.</p>
<p>I’m going to work hard to get at least a B-. The questions I missed on the tests weren’t conceptual and were just missed because of the way the prof graded it. I’m not blaming him, but I missed the first product and therefore all subsequent products…no partial credit was given.</p>