<p>I’m a rising junior at Boston College, and to say the least, my freshman and sophomore years were hit-and-miss. This past semester was a complete disaster grade-wise, mainly because of a D I received in Organic Chemistry II.</p>
<p>I decided that I should retake this class to demonstrate, YES, I CARE, that I am well aware of my mistakes (i.e. I took too many difficult classes this past semester), and that I am capable of doing better a second time around.</p>
<p>However, the class dean told me that since I didn’t technically fail, the course would be for “enrichment credit only”. What does this mean in the long term?</p>
<p>Essentially, no credit for gpa or credit for graduation purposes. If you are premed, allopathic med schools will average your grades (even tho BC gives you no extra credit). DO schools will replace the grade with the new one for purposes of calculating gpa.</p>
<p>By the way, yes, I am pre-med, but my GPA is embarrassingly bad for pre-med purposes (2.7 total, 2.3 for sciences). (I’m not afraid to admit it.) Like I mentioned, I didn’t plan my classes out well my freshman and sophomore years. I can’t seem to handle more than four classes at a time - for a long time, I have always suspected that I have some type of psychological condition, perhaps ADHD (I should post about that in the appropriate forum).</p>
<p>I hope I can do some type of post-bacc program - I refuse to give up hope.</p>
<p>definitely get tested if you think you might have a learning disorder. Experts in the field can give you tips on how to cope/address it.</p>
<p>Find some ‘easier’ science classes and start pulling down A’s. You’ll need to get that sgpa above three to have a shot at decent post-bacs.</p>
<p>If you want A’s in premed courses, you’ll need to forego most of your social life. Instead of Alumni Stadium, spend your Saturday afternoons in the library. But if you are not willing to go that route, find a different major and enjoy yourself. No use spending the big bucks for C’s. Balance out your lab courses with some lit/hume courses. Make use of the tutoring center.</p>
<p>(I’m not trying to be negative, but I just know of several Sophs who jumped off of the premed train bcos it was too much work and they’d rather start drinkin’ on Wednesday night.) </p>
<p>You might be surprised to hear that I do not drink at all and I go to parties very occasionally. Come to think of it, I don’t even think my social life takes up that much of my time. (Defining stereotypes of BC, I guess…)</p>
<p>I think my problem, possibly learning disability - related, is that I cannot multitask at all. Handling the course load of five distinct classes is a huge problem for me.</p>
<p>For me, it’s frustrating to have to explain to my parents or anyone else why I did so poorly, because unlike others, I cannot just say I was slacking off, partying, or skipping class (I was doing none of those) - it’s a complex issue that goes further back.</p>
<p>Even more frustrating is being told by my parents, “but you did so well in high school” or “nothing could be wrong with you, just that you’re not working hard enough”. Back in high school, the course load was not as demanding, so I think my problems simply were not as apparent.</p>
<p>I did post in the learning disability forum.</p>
<p>All of those accepted into a selective college “did well” in HS. But by definition, 40% of those students will be in the bottom half of the college class. That is true at Harvard, MIT, Stanford and BC.</p>
<p>Academically, professional school is even a bigger jump in workload and information which must be absorbed. And multitasking is critical.</p>
<p>While you are home over the summer, perhaps you could be tested for LD. Or, post in the Parents Forum for suggestions – there are several parents who are LD themselves and/or have LD children. Or, if in Boston neighborhood, make an appointment with the BC counseling center.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I plan on seeking help soon.</p>
<p>I understand that there is lots of “competition”, but I feel like something is holding me back - it just seems harder for me to pinpoint than it is for others.</p>
<p>I also understand the demands of professional school; however, I am determined to get at least some sort of graduate degree, as most of the jobs available with only a B.S. in biology are mediocre (no offense to anybody).</p>
<p>(I sometimes feel like I should have gone elsewhere for an engineering degree of some sort, as those degrees seem to open opportunities “by default”. I prefer not to dwell on the past, though.)</p>