So now my dilemma is:
Do I retake physics 1 and take physics 2 next semester? I talked with the admissions office and there are no exceptions to the spring deadline. In theory, this is possible. Part of me wants to just get it over with; the other part of me would rather play in traffic than take two physics courses simultaneously.
Or do I withdraw my app, throwing away $250, hours of personal statement writing/editing, and wasting the time of the four people who wrote me LOR. On the other hand, this would mean I could find a decent job and work for the next year, taking a break from school. I will have my BS, so finding a job that pays more than $9 an hour might be possible.
I am really not sure what to do at this point.
Kinda a bummer, but really you're best positioned to answer the question.
The pro of taking them both next semester is obvious. If you get accepted into vet school, you can go next fall.
But you don't really know that you're going to get accepted, so it's not a safe assumption. Do you have an objective sense of how strong your application is? Slam dunk? Maybe good 'nuff but not sure? A long shot?
The con to taking both next semester is equally obvious: you might be biting off more than you can chew (and currently - honestly don't mean this to sound asshat-like - the evidence is that it's more than you can chew). So with regard to that consideration, you have to make a really honest and objective call: Do you think you understand why you failed this last semester and what it would take to be successful? And then, can you apply that to two physics classes at the same time so that you can get at least a C in each?
The pro to waiting is that you get more time to figure things out, and, by taking the classes separately you'll presumably have a better shot at a higher grade in each class. It's a chance to work hard and kick physics in the ass, have a little fun in life, make a bit of money to help you in vet school, gain some more experience, make some more contacts in vet med, make your application even better than it is now.... lots of opportunity in there that might not be obvious.
The con to waiting is ..... waiting. Which is more of an emotional thing than anything. Once you make up your mind to do something, nobody likes to feel sidetracked.
The one thing I would say specifically is that you shouldn't feel like you wasted the time of the four people who wrote you eLORs. If you decide to wait, just let them know and ask them to save a copy of the letter if they're willing to submit it next year. From their perspective it shouldn't be a big deal. It wouldn't be to me, anyway, in their shoes.
With regard to the "sign up for both and maybe drop one based on the application outcome" .... I see the point - trying to maximize your opportunity ... but crap. If you're going to go that route, just commit yourself mentally to doing it well and finish out the semester whether you get accepted or not. Then you'll be done and can move on with life while you wait for another application cycle (if necessary).
I dunno. The thing that I find super positive is that you're doing the things necessary to figure it out. You talked to the prof. You looked for objective feedback from other people and aren't shying away from a tough decision. You aren't blaming the prof (I'm sick of people griping about how it's only the prof's fault that they got a poor grade in something.). So you're taking responsibility.
For my money, that says you'll do well no matter what you decide to do. I think you'll be fine.
