Changing Majors - What to do about bad classes

[TehFrr]

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I have a dilema here, perhaps some of you can give me good advice. I am currently working on an engineering degree (year 4 of 5) and I have pretty much had it. Ive managed to keep a decent GPA (3.65/4.00) but if I keep going forward with this term I expect it to drop - A LOT. I am thinking at this point, if I want to get into med school, I need to switch my major so I can keep my GPA up. Im planning to switch into radiation health physics.

Anyhow, I have 3 classes (of 5) this term I am worried about - thermodynamics, fluid mechnics and materials science. Do you feel it would be wise of me to withdraw from fluids and S/U (pass/fail) the other two? Or should I withdraw from fluids and tough out the other two (potentially getting a C, D or F)?

On one hand I want to keep the GPA up, but I also think it would look pretty bad to have a term that drops from 16 to 12 credits, (withdraw) and a couple of S/Us. I have already taken 2 S/Us in the past 3 years.

Opinions please?

 

[beanbean]

Taking thermo, fluids and material science all in one semester is a tough coarseload. Your gpa up to this point is fine - esp. for an engineering student. Only you can make the decision, but I would consider a withdrawl or S/U if you don't need one of these classes to graduate. Make sure you take advantage of office hours, tutors ,etc to do everything you can to get decent grades in the classes you keep. Engineering is a tough road especially if your heart isn't really in it. Good luck!

 

[TehFrr]

yeah, I wont need any of the 3 classes listed if I switch over to radation health physics. I guess Im just worried about a big "WTF" spot on the transcript even if the GPA is high.

You are right about it being difficult if you are not into it. I loved it the first couple of years, but after we started on the thermal hydraulic stuff (which is a BIG part of my current major) I just couldnt care less. It has become a total grind. I am not afraid of hard work, but grinding out 5 more terms of that sounds like hell to me...

 

[Darth Asclepius]

yeah, I wont need any of the 3 classes listed if I switch over to radation health physics. I guess Im just worried about a big "WTF" spot on the transcript even if the GPA is high.

If you are sure you want to change majors, it might be wise to withdraw or pass/fail some of those classes. You might get a "WTF" at an interview and have a little explaining to do, but it beats never getting an interview because your GPA took a dive below the interview cut-off at a school. Beware that you might get accused of running away from the tough courseload, but perhaps you could explain that you wanted to change your major and decided to pass/fail the classes so that you could focus your efforts on other activities more related to your future career (note: this can only work if you do, in fact, get involved in something like volunteering, a student organization, shadowing- that could feasibly take significant time and be more related to your future career).