Do I Need to Retake Cs to Get Into Medical School? | Ask Dr. Gray: Premed Q&A Ep. 116

Do you need to retake C/D/F classes from earlier in college? Listen to find out why you may not need to retake classes and what you should consider instead.
If you enjoy this video, be sure to subscribe and check out all our Meded Media podcasts at premedpodcasts.com.
In this week's episode I explain how medical schools look at Cs and correct some common misconceptions in how premeds think about them. This helps explain why you don't always need to retake specific classes you got Cs in.
We talk about what an upward trend in your GPA really achieves in the eyes of medical school. I also explain why starting weaker and improving your GPA can potentially be an advantage as a premed for the story it builds.
For more episodes of Ask Dr. Gray: Premed Q&A, check out askdrgray.com.

[@hannahdivic28]

I’m in a similar boat to this girl. Got Cs in intro Bio 1 and 2 and no credited chem 2, but have done well in upper division science classes and retook gen chem 2 and got an A. My gpa is around 3.5 right now but I think I will take a 2 yr post bacc and volunteer, get clinical experience, and do research and apply next year. Hopefully that will help me get in to med school the first time I apply, rather than praying right now and having to reapply. I hope that works.

[@nemomemo5191]

How’s everything now ?

[@hannahdivic28]

@@nemomemo5191 well I had a mental breakdown from being inside all the time from the pandemic and everything that happened in the last 2 years that I had to take a leave of absence for mental health 😬 so we will see

[@nemomemo5191]

@@hannahdivic28 didn’t we all haha, taking a break is important but it’s time to hit the ground running 💪🏽🥼

[@hannahdivic28]

@@nemomemo5191 lol when I get out of therapy I’ll do that haha

[@christianc7420]

@@hannahdivic28just give up tbh

[@parttimemedic]

Hey Dr. Gray, I have quite a unique situation and I was hoping you would have some answers. I have applied in last years admission cycle with a 3.7 and a 515 MCAT. I had volunteering, plenty of leadership as well as research, but, I only received 1 interview out of 24 schools I applied to. I was waitlisted until the day classes began and then rejected. I've asked for feedback from every school and they have either not responded, or have told me that it was just a numbers game. Fast forward to this year, I have added 3 publications, and 4 presentations, I have personally worked full time in a level 1 trauma center through the pandemic, I have worked with Global Health on the Phase 3 trial of the MODERNA Vaccine from beginning to end (very involved role), and have still only received 1 interview (the same university as last year). I have applied both MD and DO. to answer some common questions other people have asked: 1. I have no criminal record or academic misconduct 2. I have had my essays proof read by multiple people, and have even written personal statements for other people who have gotten into medical school (ironically) 3. I have a strong upward trend with 3.9+ for my Junior and Senior year 4. I have only taken the MCAT one time 5. All of the AdComs I've spoken to confirmed that I have no Red Flags on my application

[@MedicalSchoolHQ]

Apply for Application Renovation. I'm recording a lot of new episodes soon! applicationrenovation.com/apply

[@jayh1935]

Did you ever get a response to you questions? I'm curious

[@christianc7420]

Any update?

[@parttimemedic]

no response unfortunately, but I'm currently an M3 so it ended up working out. Talked to a member of the AdCom after I got admitted and turns out, there was nothing wrong with my application. The process is just brutal so there's only so many qualified people they can take in. Nowadays there is an element of luck involved to get into medical school.@@christianc7420

[@parttimemedic]

no response unfortunately, but I'm currently an M3 so it ended up working out. Talked to a member of the AdCom after I got admitted and turns out, there was nothing wrong with my application. The process is just brutal so there's only so many qualified people they can take in. Nowadays there is an element of luck involved to get into medical school.@@christianc7420

[@dkerrtty1220]

This episode had to be me I was answering the questions with her😂

[@andres8416]

If I got a c in Orgo 1 and 2 should I retake it? Also got a c + in bio chem so I feel like I need to fix my foundation

[@DanielYeung]

No, take upperdivs and get a 4.0

[@tyrarobertson5717]

Hey, did you end up retaking or trusting the upper division course

[@wueskew169]

Nice job!

[@fernandozacahua2073]

Hello! I am a Freshman at a university and I have been struggling with Gen Chem 103. This is my first semester and I failed my first exam and did not do so good on my second. I really want to go to medical school. Do you suggest I drop the class? or push through? In terms of grades, is it bad if someone has a D or lower in their first semesters of college?

[@brayan9645]

7 Cs have kind of deterred me from med school lol.

[@elizabethcordill5998]

this is so helpful thank you ❤️

[@hannahdivic28]

Is the advice in this video good to take if you have these same stats but no clinical experience?

[@michaelhuang4465]

Are C- considered a C or do I need to retake them?

[@daballer4180]

Most school require at least a "C"

[@makhloufbannoud644]

C- are usually not accepted if it’s a med school prerequisite

[@angelwrites515]

Can someone explain to me how retake classes for md schools work do they average them out?

[@Sports_Arena09]

Can I join your podcast? I need help

[@comoplaysdestiny5106]

Hey, I’m a senior who just got a C in physics 2..also, a few Bs. Have overall 3.55-3.7. Bad trend but decent gpa. What should be my mindset? @dr.gray

[@pswank007]

Similar situation, got C+ phy 1. Not really upward trend in that regard

[@Pete-da-peter]

I'm not Dr gray, but usually downtrend 📉 GPA is not a good look. However, you have a very strong gpa. Good job on that. If I were you. I will spend 2 or 3 semester taking classes. Mostly upper lever classes. Then a strong mcat. You'll be a doctor man.

[@venjaminnefua9267]

Should I be worried I have 3 C’s so far in undergrad 2 in English 101/103 and 1 in public speaking 101 ( first semester of undergrad) but after that in all my med school pre req classes I’ve had Nothing but A’s and B’s and Ive had a very consistent upward trend in my gpa and I’m in my second year of undergrad

[@chrischin_94]

I think you should be good. Science gpa is weighted more heavily

[@hannahdivic28]

When she said 3.5 gpa I believe she meant overall gpa lol. Her science gpa is prob a 2.6 or something

[@dancekenzie96]

That's not what she said. 4 Cs early on does not equate to a 2.6

[@hannahdivic28]

@@dancekenzie96 no, I’m agreeing with someone else that she likely had more than 4 Cs.

[@lemonade432]

She said that her science GPA is a 3.5 and her cumulative GPA is a 3.6 if you watch the whole video.

[@Pete-da-peter]

I believe she got more Cs. Lol

[@joys8634]

if she gets into med school it's definitely because of affirmative action

[@squirtlesquad2477]

Salty bois

[@Kap807]

What so funny

[@smalliver365]

@@joys8634lmao

[@comfortbekoe7520]

​@joys8634 your just being racist

[@chrispedro5620]

I have two Cs and about to get my bachelors. Do I stand a chance

[@brayan9645]

I’m sure you do. At least better than me who has 7 Cs 🤣. I entered college thinking that I was just going to take premed courses because they were interesting but now I actually want to go to med school. Also my GPA is all over the place, there’s no upward trend since it’s kind of stagnant.

[@venkatachengalvala4289]

You definitely have a chance. :)

[@celinefanne]

@@brayan9645same

[@worldsavior2543]

She's not much of a talker

[@squirtlesquad2477]

??

[@Vicotinne]

I’m doing dual enrollment in my senior year, it’s a 7 week class which I historically do bad in (condensed classes) and my estimation of the grade I will get is a C. The class is intro to biology. I have all A’s at my highschool but science has never been my strong suit. The exams are the toughest part all the studying and the way I am I can only retain so much information before it gets mixed together. I really would love to be a PA or a surgeon, but I don’t want to waste time being in a major I will not succeed in. When do I know when I should switch?

[@venkatachengalvala4289]

You're just in senior year of high school. Reflect on what went wrong/right, and refine your strategy and study habits. Then, in college, take couple science courses and gradually ramp up (e.g., don't take 3 science courses in your first semester of freshman year unless you really like the subjects). Also, most of the classes you'll take in college are a semester-long (14-15 weeks long).