<p>I'm a Econ/Pre-Med student at a prestigious liberal arts college that is well-known for its extremely intense grading system. Well this semester has been horrible for me, I lost my brother to a car accident during the first few weeks of college, that combined with the general issues that come with adjusting to college have wreaked havoc on my grades and my psyche. My school practices a policy in which the only grades that freshman receive first semester are Credit/No Credit. These do not count to our GPA's and it is a policy of the college to never release shadow grades from these courses. Basically I received NC in two of the pre-med courses. Cellular and Molecular Biology(it was curved pretty unfairly in my opinion) and First year Calculus. I feel like all is not lost. I would just have to do well in Biology 002 (Organismal and Behavioral Biology), and Math 25 (Further Topics in Single Variable Calculus), and then take another bio and another math class to remedy this situation. However I need vital input to figure out if I've ruined my chances and what exactly do I need to do. Again, these classes don't count towards my GPA.</p>
<p>Med schools will see the NC but they won't see the actual letter grade that I received, but its not to hard to figure out given its either Credit or No Credit</p>
<p>First semester plus extenuating circumstances mean all is not lost. However, you do need to be sure your study habits and course selection are appropriate. Getting in over year head and doing badly in more courses would greatly hurt your chances.</p>
<p>It's too late now but you should go to your class dean if you are dealing with personal problems. Don't take tests if you are not up to it. Your teachers will understand and you don't even have to disclose why. Your dean would have been able to send messages to all of your teaches. However, it's too late for that now. You basically received 2 F's that won't be counted toward your GPA. Regardless of whether or not it definitely ruins your chances if quite meaningless. You can't know for sure either way so you just need to move on and do your best next semester. Reevaluate you position after next semester.</p>
<p>I don't think the AMCAS can use them because that would require them knowing the shadow grades. I got two Passes but for all the AMCAS knows I could have passed with a D or an A+. So I think the best strategy would probably be to do well in the upper level classes given that I have a solid understanding of all of the concepts. It's just I didn't test well in two classes in which my grade depended on a handful of tests. Thank you guys for your help, I know what lies ahead of me and exactly what I need to do to make my dream happen, so thanks again you guys!!!</p>
<p>I think AMCAS won't include the P's, since they don't know what they really are, but they know what the F's are -- so I think they'll use those. I'm not sure, however.</p>
<p>You can't include only bad grades though. I know you're not sure, but there's no way AMCAS could include only failing grades, and therefore only hurt you, when even with two F's and two D's, he'd have a .5 vs a 0 GPA.</p>
<p>"If you receive a NC in a course, Swarthmore College does not count that course in the required GPA of 2.0 for graduation (because it is not recorded as a credit). It does remain on your transcript, however, and must be included as a zero when calculating your GPA for allopathic medical schools if it was received after your first semester at Swarthmore."</p>
<p>This comes from my school's website. Since I got them during my first semester, I think I'm alright? What do you guys think?</p>
<p>"AMCAS Grades that Do Not Affect the GPA
The following AMCAS grades do not have a weight or value in computing the AMCAS GPA:
G Used to indicate AP credit not assigned a letter grade
L Used for CLEP or USAFI/DANTES credit not assigned a letter grade
P Used for courses taken in a Pass/Fail system, which are Passed
N Used for courses taken in a Pass/Fail system, which are Failed "</p>
<p>From what it says I think I'm alright, I'll just do work my butt off in upper level classes and hopefully all will be well. Thanks for your help!!! I can now sleep a little easier. </p>
<p>Will you need course credit for these two courses to graduate or will you have to make them up? If you need the credit, I would consider talking with your Dean of Students to see whether he/she could intercede on your behalf and talk with your profs, and allow you to retake final exams after you return from your vacation. Would you be able to do well enough to pass if given another chance? Otherwise, consider taking courses during the summer to catch up. I am very sorry about your loss. Most medical schools would be understanding about your situation; however, it is encumbent upon you to do well the rest of your college career. It certainly is a difficult freshman year, so hang in there.</p>