<p>I am considering dropping Organic Chem I, which I am currently taking this semester. I do not feel prepared for the upcoming exam in this course (and don't feel that any amount of time/effort at this point will be sufficient for doing well on it). I also received a D grade on the first exam in the course. I feel overwhelmed with the work for the class, especially because I am currently taking it in addition to my engineering courses (Linear Algebra/Diff Eq, Physics I, Intro to Engineering II, and an Honors Philosophy Seminar). Most "premed" majors are taking lots of liberal arts classes, and therefore have the time to channel the time & effort necessary for success in orgo. I feel as though I could do much better, and truly learn and understand the material, if I were able to take the equivalent orgo course during the summer. I am too far behind at this point, and unable to devote the time and effort for this course that is required to do well. I am doing fine in my other classes this semester so far, but I fear that if I continue orgo, my other classes will take a backseat (as I will be spending so much time on orgo), just to receive a mediocre grade in orgo rather than a terrible or failing one. I am a mechanical engineering major (biology minor), potentially considering med school. I am wondering if any of you would have any reservations about my making this decision. If I drop orgo this semester, I would probably take the equivalent course (+ lab) at an esteemed university that I live by over the summer. Please let me know your opinions on this...thanks in advance!</p>
<p>PS. I got about a 3.0 GPA first semester freshman year (currently a second-semester freshman), so I need to bring this up! I go to a top 20 university (just in case it's not obvious which one...)</p>
<p>Drop the class, but first make sure how it will be recorded on your transcript. If it’s a W–go ahead and drop; if it’s recorded as WF (withdrawal-failing), then AMCAS will consider it the same as a F for the purposes of GPA calculations. In that case, you may be better off hanging in there and trying to salvage a C.</p>
<p>If you can switch to an audit, you might consider that, especially if you wouldnt be eligible for a refund.
It would give you additional exposure before you have to take it for credit.</p>
<p>Ochem is usually a full year.
Courses in the summer are compressed, making them more difficult than they were in the first place.
All outside courses need to be approved by the institution that will grant you your diploma. Before you register.
As you probably will not be allowed to matriculate at another school without withdrawing from your home school, you may find that the OChem courses are filled with other students trying to get their pre-reqs in.
My daughter had to take ochem at a community college, but it was a year course to meet requirements.</p>
<p>Are you receiving FA or a merit scholarship? If so, make that in dropping Org Chem, you still have enough credits that semester, as per the conditions of your aid, or else you could lose your aid/scholarship.</p>
<p>You are certainly taking some very tough courses this semester (Organic Chemistry, Linear Algebra/Diff Eq, Physics I, Intro to Engineering II, and an Honors Philosophy Seminar). If you can drop the course with no record, then that is probably your best choice. When you re-take it during the summer, you can put 100% of your efforts into the class. A friend’s S did this when he was in college. He was pre-med and is now a doctor.</p>
<p>My S took organic chem last year and didn’t stay on top of things as he should have. He ended up with a 1.9. He is retaking this semester - and there are fewer students in the class since it is usually taken in fall. He has a 3.9 so far. I think the fact that he stuck it out a whole term helped. He knew what was expected of him and learned (the hard way) to study on a regular basis. If you can at least stay & audit, it could help for the next time around.</p>