<p>I know there are already a few threads concerning this issue, and I'm sorry if this is a bit repetitive, but I'd appreciate some advice about whether or not I should drop out of organic chemistry. I'm a sophomore, currently taking the first semester of organic; I find the class to be extremely interesting and I generally feel that I understand the material...but my test scores indicate otherwise; I barely passed the most recent one with a score of 66. I know that the future material for this class builds upon previous material and that the information is only going to get harder if I found a fairly simple exam about reaction mechanisms for alkenes difficult, am I doomed for future exams? Furthermore, if I cant succeed in this course, how on earth will I succeed in med school? I mean, I thought I was capable of doing well, but maybe I was deluding myself? Is it time for me to wake up and smell the mimosa? Any advice/guidance would be appreciated. (And sorry if I come across as whiney or annoying, Im kind of bummed out right now.)</p>
<p>How bad is it, really? Are you on track to fail or get a D? If it's a C, that's okay as long as there will be no other deficiencies in your application.</p>
<p>I'm not really sure. We still have one more exam and the final; if I somehow did really well on them, I might be able to swing a B, but with the way things are going...I'm probably looking at a C. (At least I hope. My lab grades, which count for 25%, have been good so far, and I did decently on the first exam, so I'm hoping I can avoid a D, but you never know...) I only managed a B/B+ in gchem so a C wouldn't exactly help things.</p>
<p>I think you need to evaluate why you're getting the scores you're getting before you decide on a course of action.</p>
<p>Have you had a talk with the professor? Whenever there's a mismatch between how well someone feels they understand the material and their test performance, it makes me think that it's an issue of studying the right sort of things. If you really do understand what's going on, you might ask your professor for study tips and advice. Also, having a chat with the professor may make them more inclined to grade on the side of leniency come semester's end.</p>
<p>I believe, you might be right in a middle. D's Org. class average on last exam was 63%. The failing grade was 50%. If you drop, what will make a grade higher next time you are taking class?</p>
<p>To keep it short, yes you should drop the class. The last thing you want is a "C" in Organic as that grade is looked at closely.</p>
<p>HappytoGraduate:</p>
<p>A C in organic chemistry doesn't make my list of "last things you want." You can get into medical school with a C in orgo. It's not worth the time (and money) to re-take a C.</p>
<p>First, I was not directing my post to you. I was responding to the original poster. Secondly, he wouldn't be retaking the C, as with a drop it doesn't count for or against your GPA.</p>
<p>From: Organic</a> Chemistry</p>
<p>Ronald Breslow, Professor of Chemistry and University Professor at Columbia University states that: "Currently, medical school admission committees not only require a course in organic chemistry, but they put unusual emphasis on the performance of the applicants in such a course. This is because organic chemistry courses require the mastery of a lot of new material, and the ability to use that material in new ways to solve new problems.</p>
<p>The famous 'synthesis' problems teach more than organic synthesis: they teach intellectual synthesis. They teach how to think through what students have learned to find the facts that will solve a problem they have not seen before. The result is that the ability to do well in such courses is an excellent predictor of the ability to do well in medical school."</p>
<p>So your grade in Organic Chemistry is important and thus you are incorrect.</p>
<p>SC didn't say that orgo was not important. She said that you can get into med school with a C (and a good one at that). One C (if your GPA was otherwise good) isn't worth restarting a class over (this you would have to do if you drop your orgo class at this point because of the grade). I agree with her.</p>
<p>You cite a chemistry professor's opinion on the importance of chemistry. And your source is Ocean County College. Come on. Harvard Med will let you substitute one semester of orgo with biochem. Mt. Sinai requires the students in its early acceptance program to take an ABBREVIATED organic chem course. Meanwhile, there are thoughts of dropping orgo altogether from the required premed curriculum:</p>
<p>This</a> Class Is Certified Organic: Indigestible, and Perhaps Perishable - WSJ.com</p>
<p>It's safe to say that many med schools don't regard the class as very important. Or at least not more important than any other premed prereq's.</p>
<p>I was in the same boat as the original post. I was scraping by through the first semester of organic chemistry, and got a C+. I decided to move on to the next semester and worked hard. I was able to get a B+ in the second semester. When I interviewed with schools only one even hinted about caring about the first semester's grade, but I got in there anyway. I'd say if you have the drive then keep going. But that is just my opinion.</p>
<p>Using the Wall Street Journal as a source for medicine is laughable. You should at least have read the entire article, esp. this part:</p>
<p>"Organic chemistry is unlikely to vanish from the premed universe. Doctors do need a basic understanding of the subject, which deals with the behavior of carbon molecules, the building blocks of life.</p>
<p>And orgo does thin the premed herd by weeding out those who can't keep up. "That kind of learning, where you have to learn tons of things in your head at once and make stupid mnemonics, is like a summary of medical school," Dr. Van Leer allows."</p>
<p>So Organic Chemistry with respect to medical admissions serves it's purpose very well and I doubt it will be taken out ever. It may be talked about, but it won't happen.</p>