Why do people think Ochem is hard?

People say organic chemistry is hard because it requires a major shift to conceptual, 3D thinking, focusing on reaction mechanisms and "how" things work, not just memorizing formulas like general chemistry; it's cumulative, meaning falling behind is tough; involves a steep learning curve with vast new vocabulary and interconnected details (like stereochemistry); and often serves as a "weed-out" course demanding significant, consistent effort beyond simple recall, unlike other subjects.

Why do people say organic chemistry is hard?

One issue is that the subject matter can be complex and abstract, and it requires a lot of memorization of chemical structures, reactions, and mechanisms. Additionally, organic chemistry often involves visualizing molecules in three dimensions, which can be difficult for some people.

Is organic chemistry the hardest class ever?

Yes, organic chemistry is widely considered one of the hardest college courses, often called a "weed-out" class for pre-meds due to its demanding nature, high failure rates, and requirement for a different type of thinking than typical memorization-based courses, focusing instead on understanding complex reaction mechanisms and problem-solving. Success requires consistent effort, strong visualization skills, and shifting from memorization to conceptual understanding.
 

Is a B+ in orgo bad for med school?

A B+ in organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally not considered bad for medical school, but it's not ideal either; while a strong overall GPA, excellent MCAT, clinical experience, and research can offset it, a B+ signals good, not excellent, performance in a key pre-med weed-out course, so focus on excelling in other sciences and demonstrating strong problem-solving skills. 

What is the fail rate for Ochem?

Organic chemistry has notoriously high failure rates, often cited nationally between 25% to over 50%, with many sources calling it a major "weed-out" course for pre-med and science majors due to its challenging concepts, fast pace, and demand for advanced critical thinking and visualization skills. While some universities see lower rates (around 15-20%), many struggle to get rates below 25%, though targeted programs can drastically reduce failures to under 10%.
 

The Truth About Orgo | Is it that hard or are ppl just dumb | Watch This Before You Take It

Is orgo harder than calculus?

Organic chemistry (Orgo) is generally considered harder and more conceptually challenging than standard calculus for most students because it demands spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and extensive memorization of complex reaction mechanisms, whereas calculus relies more on mathematical rules and abstract function manipulation, making the difficulty subjective and dependent on individual strengths, though Orgo often has a tougher reputation and harsher grading.
 

Which major has the highest dropout rate?

Dropout rates by major:

STEM fields have higher attrition than non-STEM majors overall. Computer science has a 10.7% early dropout rate (among the highest) Business and engineering also show high early losses.

Is there more Gen Chem or Orgo on MCAT?

Exam content will draw from*:

General chemistry, 30% Organic chemistry, 15%

Is orgo the hardest pre-med class?

The hardest course of the pre-med requirements depends on your strengths and weaknesses, but organic chemistry has a reputation for being the most difficult. In this class, you need to know the compositions and reactions of countless chemical compounds.

Can I get into med school with a C in Orgo?

Number one is when you get a C minus or lower on a prerequisite class. So if that's C in organic chemistry with a C minus many of the places that have it as a prerequisite wouldn't accept the C minus. These NFs of course you would want to retake if it's a prerequisite course. But C minus is most commonly the threshold.

What is the top 5 hardest course in college?

The top 5 hardest college courses often include Organic Chemistry, Quantum Mechanics/Physics, Chemical Engineering, Architecture, and Medicine/Anatomy, due to their demanding workloads, complex problem-solving, extensive memorization, abstract concepts, or rigorous practical skills, consistently appearing across student and expert lists. These subjects challenge students with high levels of dedication and discipline.
 

What jobs use organic chemistry?

Organic Chemist Career Paths

In industry, they may work in pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology companies. In academia, they may conduct basic research and teach organic chemistry to students. Government agencies also employ organic chemists to conduct research and develop new technologies.

Why do students struggle with organic chemistry?

Understanding these reasons that students struggle with organic chemistry - the uniqueness of the class, the requirement of the visual cortex in processing shapes and structures, the compounding material of the class, and student mentality - provides the prelude for discovering how we can better prepare students for ...

Is orgo useful in everyday life?

Organic chemistry is considered hard to understand and a vague area of science, but it significantly affects our daily lives. From the food we eat and the drugs we take, the idea is that organic chemistry plays a significant role.

Why is Orgo 2 harder than Orgo 1?

In terms of difficulty, Orgo 2 poses a greater challenge because it builds upon the concepts learned in Orgo 1 and demands a deeper understanding, as well as the ability to integrate and apply knowledge.

Which is the no. 1 toughest course in the world?

The top 10 hardest courses generally include:

• Medicine (MBBS/MD)
• Engineering (Aerospace, Chemical, Electrical)
• Chartered Accountancy (CA)
• Pharmacy.
• Architecture.
• Law.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN/BSc Nursing)
• Physics.

Is a 3.7 GPA bad premed?

College GPAs of Students Accepted Into Medical Schools

The mean GPA in 2025 was 3.67 for med school applicants and 3.81 for matriculants; an increase from 3.79 in 2024, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

What is the fail rate for organic chemistry?

Organic chemistry has notoriously high failure rates, often cited nationally between 25% to over 50%, with many sources calling it a major "weed-out" course for pre-med and science majors due to its challenging concepts, fast pace, and demand for advanced critical thinking and visualization skills. While some universities see lower rates (around 15-20%), many struggle to get rates below 25%, though targeted programs can drastically reduce failures to under 10%.
 

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

Do I need orgo 2 for med school?

Since most medical schools will require a C or better in your prerequisites, keep in mind that you'll need to retake Organic Chemistry I as well as Organic II.

What is 90% correct on MCAT?

Getting 90% correct on the MCAT usually translates to a score in the 90th percentile (around 515+ total), meaning you scored better than 90% of test-takers, with scores of 128-130 per section, though exact raw scores vary by section difficulty and test date due to statistical equating. Achieving this means answering most questions correctly, often around 44-48 questions per section, placing you as a very competitive applicant for medical school. 

Why is Gen Z skipping college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it varies slightly by year and source, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top, often with acceptance rates below 4%, with some lists pointing to Harvard or even Minerva University as the absolute lowest (around 1-3%) due to extreme competition and high standards. 

What majors are declining?

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities While a broad category, the overall share of general liberal arts degrees declined in the 1970s and 80s, experiencing fluctuations but generally a downward trend as students moved toward career-oriented studies.