how much does only C and 3.5ish cum gpa affect your engineering graduate admissions ?

I am a sophomore studying chem eng in one of the top 6 US chem eng ranked schools. with South Asian ethnicity (international student). I have been struggling with O chem I this semester a lot to the point that I might get a BC/C. I have only a mix of 2 B’s and all other A’s and AB’s in my transcript till now. However, I am scared of how this one course grade will affect my chance of getting into possibly top graduate schools (Stanford, UPenn etc). I still don’t have a research group yet and am taking 18 credits this semester.

  1. what should I do? Drop the course or keep that grade and do like well (AB ish) in orgo chem II?
  2. how will this grade (along with a 3.5ish cum gpa) affect my chances at top grad schools? And how can I make the best of my application with that C in O chem I (as it is one of my major courses)?

Organic is crucial to your major. I would be more concerned about that and if your lack of complete understanding makes a difference later. A single C won’t affect you much, especially if you do better in more advanced courses. You should get some tutoring.

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