So I just received my second test score back for my Bio100 class and so far my average is turning out to be a C. The material for the class gets progressively harder and I’m not sure if I can improve my grade to a B. Should I withdraw from the class as an undergrad student hoping to get into Med school or just take the C.
Is the C before or after the class curves has been applied?
University science classes often have a rather wicked curve.
If it’s a C after the curve has been applied and you’re really struggling (not understanding the material, not getting a grasp of the foundational concepts), drop the class. But before you do, check to make sure that you won’t drop down below the minimum credit hour requirements for full time students since it can have a really negative consequences for your financial aid going forward.
What you need to do going forward is to figure out why you’re struggling in this class.
–Do you have poor preparation for the material?
–Do you have poor study habits?
–Have you been skipping classes?
–Have you been keeping up with homework/problem sets?
–Are you trying to cram at the last minute?
–Have you availed yourself of academic resources (study groups, tutoring, office hours, alternative instructional materials) you may need to succeed?
Once you figure out why you’re struggling, then you need to take action to fix your deficits. Your success or failure is entirely on you.
You need to step up your game if you want to go to med school. Pre med is not for the faint of heart.
The class has no curve. So far i got a 133/185 (64/100 on the mc and 69/85 on the short reaponse) on the first test and a 127/185 (52/100 on the mc and 75/85 on the short reaponse) on the second test. The professor replaces one of the multiple choice portion if you get higher on the final. There is still one more test worth 185 points, a final worth 200, and alab portion of the class worth 250 points which is supposedly very easy and is considered like the curve for the class. In the most realistic situation i can get a B if i fully apply myself by studying the material before lecture and going to tutoring, but I’m still afraid of getting a C. How bad does it look for med school of i have a W on my transcript? Is it better to get a C in the class? Thanks in advance for the advice.
Neither a W nor a C is fatal to med school ambitions.
A C will have an impact on your GPA, though.
Use your best judgement, but consider the impact that dropping a class may cause you in the future–like whether you’ll be able to graduate on time, if you’ll need to overload in some future semester or if you’ll lose your financial aid.