<p>I just finished up my first semester of college as a Freshman at Vanderbilt University.</p>
<p>I made a bad decision to take Organic Chemistry my first year at college and it came back to haunt me. Our first quiz I did poorly because it was all gen chem review and I had a horrible high school chemistry teacher. However, the following test/quiz went well because they were all over new material.</p>
<p>My next exam, I was unable to take because I had mono. Since then, I have always been behind in the class and every quiz/exam thereafter was lower and lower. I couldn't bring myself to blame it on mono, but it has become more and more evident that it may have been the cause. </p>
<p>For the final, I studied easily over 30-40 hours and think I did well because of the amount of time put in. The exam grade has not been posted so I do not know my exact grade.</p>
<p>However, my academic record says I got a C+ in the class. How worried should I be about this grade affecting my chances of getting into a TOP med school (not just any). I should have all A's otherwise and maybe one A-. </p>
<p>I'm really freaking out and just don't know what to think/what to do.</p>
<p>One bad grade shouldn’t sink your dreams. Spend next semester getting back on track and figuring out how to be a successful college student (which includes knowing when to throw in the towel–had you acknowledged mono was really hurting your school work, you could have dropped the class and taken it when you were healthy). </p>
<p>There have been LOTS of posts about this very subject, so just peruse these boards for lots more advice. Basically, the advice from any post remotely related to “I have a bad GPA/I had a bad semester/what should I do about this MCAT score” will apply to your situation–though in those cases, it might seem more drastic.</p>
<p>For a “top medical school” you’re absolutely sunk. You were pretty much sunk before you were born, though, so don’t feel too bad about it.</p>
<p>For a medical school, you’re chances will be determined by the future. This is one course but it IS one med schools tend to weigh heavily and it WILL come back haunt you no matter where you want to go. That being said, an excellent MCAT, stellar performance in OChem II and overall excellent academic performance from here on out will likely salvage your app to most schools.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it too much. There is nothing you can do about it now. Just work harder from here on out. I struggled a little my first semester, but have been doing well ever since then. Maybe look at your study habits, and choice of professor.</p>
<p>"I’m really freaking out and just don’t know what to think/what to do. "</p>
<p>Thinking about it will not help and you cannot do anything about it. So, stop "freaking out ", just try your best in a future. …and as others mentioned “Top” Med. School or “Any” American Med. School WILL NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE in your future as MD. I have talked to MD’s about it. All the matter for Residence mathces is your Boards…but this is such a distance future, no reason to even think about it.</p>