<p>Hi. I'm a freshman at a top 15 school known for medicine and sciences in general. Its premed curriculum is notorious for weeding out many students, not by cutthroatness,though. I'm posting because I have a C right now in my intro bio class, after three exams. I have one exam left, and the final. I have worked my ass off for this class, with flashcards, attending help sessions, making review sheets, and even studying with people on another floor who I consider extremely smart. Oh, I even have legal old exams from 2008 onward that i study. I'm very depressed right now because I have put so much effort into this class, but I can't seem to memorize every single detail that I need for the exams. I'm just not a great test taker. The exams are hard, which isn't helping. Last semester, interestingly, the classes I got A's in were essay based humanities classes with not as much effort.
My love for the sciences has been sapped out of me by this school. Besides me being average in the sciences here, I love this school socially and extracurricularly, and can't transfer b/c I'm here on a full merit scholarship. I think I should drop, but its after the deadline because I didn't get back my third exam score until today, and was reluctant to drop beforehand even though my advisor told me to before seeing my score. I'm planning to plead with my adviser to talk with the registrar's office. Is this a good idea? I'm not even sure if I should take organic chemistry over the summer, I have such low self esteem now. I'm getting B's in chemistry and chem lab here with a lot of effort. Please help me, I don't know if this means I'm not adept enough to continue as a premed student. I'm definitely among many who are thinking about dropping or dropped, but I can't freaking believe that this class is standing in my way of my dreams. I know some girls in my sorority who are retaking it as sophomores and doing better, but I can't believe it may come to that for me.</p>
<p>It’s hard to say. It sounds like you’re putting in the effort. But if so then why are you doing so badly? I would beg for the drop of the class then regroup and retake. If it doesn’t turn out any better then you must consider that you don’t have the apptitude to be an MD. That won’t however won’t exclude you from a career in science. GL</p>
<p>What if I can’t drop the class? I feel like i have mo chance of getting into any med schools now!</p>
<p>It may well be that you will not be able to attend medical school. If you are doing everything you can and still only get a C in your intro to bio, then there isn’t a whole lot you can do to improve. You are who you are - not a failure as a person, but someone who just may not be cut out to be a doctor. Just like someone who loves music, but has no singing ability - they have to find a different outlet for satisfying that interest.</p>
<p>Talk with a couple of the science profs and see what they think you should do. Especially since your full merit scholarship is dependent on maintaining a certain GPA, most likely.</p>
<p>You could see if you can find an organic chem class to take over the summer, not for credit but to introduce you to the material. </p>
<p>Are there other careers that interest you? Something in the humanities, since you do well in those courses?</p>
<p>Damn you guys are rough. Some people just aren’t good at bio. Op just needs to make sure he or she does well in his or her other science classes</p>
<p>Afujiwa3 is right. You don’t need to give up your career aspirations because you get a C in one intro class. If you can improve over time then that can make up for it, a turn around is always good. Some people are just not good at the intro bio but get better with upper division classes.</p>
<p>I know of two people who got a C in a science class who were on the pre-med track: one of them is now graduated from medical school and now completing their residency, and the other is planning on going to Tufts for medical school this fall. I can sympathize with you in your concern about getting a C in a science class. I took an organic chemistry class over the summer, which was a rigorous six week course. When I found out I could not get a B in the class, the drop deadline had passed. I was completely devastated and thought my chances of getting into medical school were over. However, from talking to those two former students, I have come to realize that a bad grade in one course will not affect your chances at medical school, as long as the rest of your application makes you a strong applicant. Medical schools understand that students can have rough semesters or have not learned how to sufficiently study or take tests, and realize that not everybody can be a superhuman and get perfect A+'s in every class that they take. I think you should focus on your study skills and try to improve them for further science classes.</p>
<p>I would also like to mention that the professor who you have can GREATLY impact your ability to learn in a class. Some professors provide many resources for students and more learning effective plans, while others may not take such approaches. I would recommend going to ratemyprofessor.com and looking up professors for your future classes, then you can choose (if possible) which class to take based on the quality of the professor.</p>
<p>Also, if the grade is really worrying you and you are considering re-taking the class, see if your school has a policy in which you can re-take the class, with the second class (and hopefully better grade) counting as credits toward your GPA. If you apply to a MD medical school, the admissions committee takes both grades into consideration, but if you apply to a DO medical school, the better of the two grades will only be used for your science GPA calculation.</p>
<p>Im doing well in chem and chem lab and expect B+s in those. I submitted a petition to see if i can drop class after deadline due to my circumstance. I also mentioned i have mental health issues which is true, as i have had suicidal thoughts as of late. Intro to bio at my school is curved, so not everyone can get A’s and Bs and i worked so god damn hard to get a B, and look where i am now. Im still planning to take organic chemistry at a less reputable university. If i do well in that class this summer then i’ll continue on premed track. My school’s exams just kill me… If i can drop biology then my GPA will be saved…i just dont want a C!</p>