Expert: Jay Cutts - 4/26/2007

Question
Hi there,  I am currently an undergrad at college (Loyola in Maryland) and i am pre-med, chemistry major and biology minor.  I know organic chem is a really important class that med schools look at on applications, and i got a bad grade in the first semester (D+).  i am taking the second half and am going to get a B+, or very probably an A.  Does this completely ruin my chances of getting in to a med school?  Do you think i should retake it when i get a chance?  thanks for your help

Answer
Hi, Dave.

No, this certainly doesn't ruin your chances, as long as your overall GPA is still good.  It might be a good idea to retake the first semester course.  With a D+, you couldn't have learned that much material, and you will need to know it both for the MCAT and for med school.  I'm surprised you could get such a good grade in the second semester without the knowledge from the first.

There are a lot of things to consider for being a strong med school candidate.  I've got a free month by month advising system by email that goes over what to do, when and how.  It's pretty helpful.  You can check it out and sign in on it at http://www.advising-help.org and follow the links for MCAT and MedTrack (that's the name of the free advising system.)

Feel free to write back or contact me through the website with other questions about your plans.

Best,

Jay Cutts