Dropping a class now?

[CalpardNY]

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So this is a question I'm grappling with and I was hoping you guys could share your opinions or what you might do in my situation. Obviously this is a decision I have to make on my own but I would appreciate any feedback you all have!

To give you the background...I graduated last may with my bachelors so right now i'm taking post-bacc classes. I signed up to take genetics (its molecular genetics aka biochem II) this semester as a pre-req for some of the schools. I was only waiting on wisconsin when the class started. I got rejected from them so I don't believe genetics is a pre-req for anything i have left or was accepted to (and no conditional offers of acceptance). I got rejected after the day to get any money back, so my mom is hesitant about letting me drop it. I can't stand the class (the professor is all over, its a lot of work, there is a 4 hour lab with long lab reports), I don't see any need for it (i.e. not a pre-req), all the drs. i work with told me i wont need it in vet school or after (someone at tufts told me even though its a pre-req for them she didnt need it), and I'm already in schools. I'm not going to need it for a degree or anything, and i can't forsee when Id need this transcript again!

I've kinda lost all motivation to study and do work for the class. We have a test today and I think i studied a total of 3 hours - which is so unlike me and its scaring me i don't care! But i just can't find the motivation. I feel like i'm not getting much out of it b/c im not putting anything into it anymore. Most of the drs i work with suggested drop it and relax my brain before school starts. I haven't had a break from school since probably about summer 2005 (i.e. did school, studied for gres, mcats, etc on breaks) and its caught up with me now! And i want to get rid of that before vet school starts and get back to my overacheiving self!

I feel bad dropping it because we don't get any money back and b/c i hate that "quitter" feeling - its so not me and i doubt its anyone who applies to vet school! If i quit i could work a bit more (i work as needed so they call for shifts) hopefully. I would obviously be calling the schools I am accepted to (IL and Glasgow) and make sure it would not affect my offer just incase. My mom told me she didnt care if i got a C as long as I passed. Shes on the fence about letting me drop so i feel bad. I feel though if im gonna half *** it and not try my hardest whats the point of doing it?

Anyway, i know this is a lot of information but I just wanted to see what others might say or suggest. Am i crazy to be dropping this class now and should i just grow up and finish it out? Whatever you guys have to say id appreciate!

Thank you!

 

[wi girl]

Tough question .... I'm not even sure what I would do, so .... sorry. I'm no help. Just thought I'd post that I sympathize with you, and wish you liked it better!

Is it normal for genetics to be biochemII? I think for WI it needed to talk about "principles of heredity" which would be mendalien and such. Do you cover that in a biochem class?

 

[VAgirl]

If you're not re-applying (i.e. you're already in vet schools and you're set to start this fall...sounds like you are and I seem to remember that from the acceptances thread), I'd drop it. It's very clear this is what you want to do. And it doesn't seem to me that it will matter a hill of beans in the long run.

It seems like the problem is that your mom doesn't want you to. I'm assuming this is because she paid for the class. Maybe an option for you would be to reimburse her the cost of the class. It's understandable that if she paid for this, she feels like she should have a say (perhaps a final say) in what you do in that regard.

If reimbursing her is not a financially viable option, I would try to sit down with her and explain in a mature fashion what you see as the negatives of this situation (increased likelihood of academic burn out, which is extremely undesireable as you head into vet school--the ultimate goal anyway!; stress during some of the last potentially stress-free months before 4 years of intense stress; etc.). I'm sure you can think of other things to add to this list.

 

[alliecat44]

I can't speak from the standpoint of you and your mother, but in terms of vet school--if you check with the schools you've been accepted to and they do not require it as a pre-req, then there's absolutely no reason for you to continue to torture yourself. Drop it now!!! The docs you work with are right--give your brain a break. Save yourself some pointless stress.

I remember after I got in, it was kind of like nothing bothered me at all--so the "quitting" feeling might not be an issue after all (though I know what you mean). What would make you feel worse: the potential to have a "quitting" feeling just before you have the tremendous satisfaction/ego boost of starting vet school; or marring up an otherwise stellar academic record? Just food for thought.

Regardless, I'd drop it. 🙂 Just my opinion!

 

[clawsbeatskin]

Would it look bad later on though? If you were trying for an internship/residency?

 

[alliecat44]

When applying for an internship/residency, they don't care about undergrad stuff. Kind of like vet schools don't care about your high school transcript.

And they wouldn't know about this school's transcript unless (s)he told them, since it's a different school. 🙂 (At least, from what I understand regarding the question.) No worries!!

 

[borofish]

I had a similar situation a few years ago where I was taking Stats as a prereq for a vet school. Once I found out I didn't get in to that school, and HAD gotten into a school I was very happy to go to I dropped Stats like a bad habit. Now, I didn't have any issues with family, but I'd also tell you that at some point your Mom's opinions need to take a back seat to your own as you progress through your career. You've been accepted to multiple vet schools, which is a huge accomplishment! Whether you complete this class will have no affect on your future career, including internships or residencies, they only look at your vet GPA.

So I say get drop it. You've got bigger fish to fry!

 

[VetMed555]

I'd also drop it. Vet school is going to be enough stress as it is, why stress yourself out before it even began? Unfortunately I can't drop any of my classes--they are all in my major, but don't I wish I could right now...🙂

 

[pika8]

The only reason you might not want to drop it is if you want to gain some research experience during vet school--if what you are learning now might help out with something like that, I would say slog through it. But if you are absolutely miserable, drop it like a hot potato.

 

[pressmom]

I dropped a genetics lab last fall when I found out I didn't need it for vet school. One of the best decisions I made. We had to do all that stupid crossing fruit flies BS and I just really didn't want to be in there anymore, so I just dropped it. If you're paying in-state tuition at a state school, it shouldn't cost you that much to drop it. Save your sanity, drop the class!

 

[CalpardNY]

Thank you guys all for your responses. Sometimes even writing it you clear your head a bit and hearing from others what it sounds like you are saying is helpful when you can't hear it yourself (if that made sense). Its also good to hear vet students opinions since you have been in my shoes and can see a bit ahead of where i am now. (also good to know it won't affect internship/residencies! - alliecat it is a transcript i would have biochem on but its not my undergrad transcript!).

My mom isn't totally against it and the more i talked to her the more she started to worry about burnout (I had that in 7th grade...yes 7th grade...so she wants to prevent it from being a pre-vet thing!).

I have decided to drop it. Instead of going in for my test today I am going to go in and drop the class. I have to say I feel rejuvenated already. I spent all morning like a bum on my couch checking SDN and doing anything to not study and now i am ready to get off my butt, go to the gym, clean, etc!

I will have to get some shifts lined up and maybe find another part time job to feel like i am doing something, but I think its the right decision. I have that little devil on my shoulder still pulling me that it might come back and haunt me - but he may be there my whole life for everything so.... Though i could pursue the class and its not necessarily a "i hate the teacher so i hate the class type thing" - but as some of you said, I could be happier so why torture myself when i can rest up to bust my a** in vet school! And my mom i think sees its what i want to do!

Thank you all for your input! I love SDN and how supportive people are!

 

[carrbear21]

If I were admitted and not waitlisted right now (meaning I have no idea where I'll be in the fall if anywhere), I would completely drop the one class I don't need. If for some reason a withdrawl causes me to take an F in the class then I wouldn't- I would just coast by with a C 😀

Forget the money. Your time is more valuable then $ for a class that you don't need. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CalpardNY]

If I were admitted and not waitlisted right now (meaning I have no idea where I'll be in the fall if anywhere), I would completely drop the one class I don't need. If for some reason a withdrawl causes me to take an F in the class then I wouldn't- I would just coast by with a C 😀

Forget the money. Your time is more valuable then $ for a class that you don't need. Just my 2 cents.

Thats a good point...i will just have to make sure it comes up a W or WD and not anything else!

Haha my time is very valuable...🙄...maybe i can finally make my scarpbook from freshman year thats sitting ina box...or clean out my boxes of stuff from college that i never unpacked!

 

[designerVet]

I actually have a "w" withdrawl on my transcripts from several classes including when I had to drop Org chm because of balancing work/class, and dropping my bio chem LAB because I realized I only needed the lecture.
Even WITH the W's I got through the first part of the app process and was offered interviews at 6 of my 7 schools I applied to. And my GRE was not THAT super. I feel like a "w" on a transcript is not to HUGE a deal. especially since you ARE into vet school. I would say kick back and relax for a bit. come this aug our brains will be working overtime!! 🙂

 

[VAgirl]

I actually have a "w" withdrawl on my transcripts from several classes including when I had to drop Org chm because of balancing work/class, and dropping my bio chem LAB because I realized I only needed the lecture.
Even WITH the W's I got through the first part of the app process and was offered interviews at 6 of my 7 schools I applied to. And my GRE was not THAT super. I feel like a "w" on a transcript is not to HUGE a deal.

Amen! I have a few Ws of my own. That's life, sometimes.

 

[cwazy cat lady]

It sounds like this class doesn't matter and it's paining you. I would probably drop it, too.

I don't think I have any W's on my transcript out of 8 years... but I took two classes P/F during my first degree that were fun electives. I probably should not have, in retrospect, because I think I ended up doing really well in them, and my advisor chastised me for doing it back then... (because it leaves doubt about what you earned and whether you put any effort into the course) but I don't think it will make a difference now. I was just really really anal about my GPA back then and couldn't handle the thought of a B... dumb... but over now. 😀

Of course, being a bit older and having taken more weed-out classes has got me to be careful, but not militant about my GPA. It sometimes is not worth the stress for a .1 or .2 difference!!!

And a W here or there really should not be a huge deal.

In general I think transcripts should be done differently, anyways. I'm all for some reform...

Drop the class if you are sure you don't need it and pretty soon I think you will have put it all past you--forgotten, done and on to more important/motivating things...

 

[CalpardNY]

I just wanted to let you all know I went into Manhattan this afternoon and dropped the class. There is some reservations i will always have (im one of those people who can't make a decision about anything...well except i want to be a vet!) but Im so happy and so relieved. I should have just started my exam if i was staying in the class.

I know have plans of going to the gym, cleaning up around my house, working and earning money, and overall relaxing and having fun!

Thank you all for your input! Sometimes its nice just to have reassurance from others who know the boat you are in!

So here comes 4 months of relaxation to prepare for hard core studying and dedication when i get to vet school. Thanks again everyone!

 

[fetch]

It sounds like you already made your decision.

For others/future reference, don't forget about the option to switch the grading option for a class to audit versus withdrawing/dropping. Where available, of course.

While it may not be the case for everyone/every situation, when I audited a class I got to attend without the stress of exams/grades. Then again, I was personally acquainted with the professors whose classes I audited and had ascertained ahead of time a "pass" grade was guaranteed as long as I showed up and participated...

 

[CalpardNY]

Fetch i thought about auditing the class.

First its about an hr+ commute into Manhattan so it seemed a bit crazy to me, but also they told me only change to pass/fail aka credit/nocredit (and if i was going to do that id still ahve to do all the work and its not liek the grade mattered at this point!

But yes - auditing would have been another option to pursue!

 

[fargeese]

Gah, I wish I could drop Stats. I hate random samples, simple random samples, discrete made up samples etc., but I have to keep it until I decide about WI. I would drop it in a NY minute otherwise.

The irony is I am also taking Chem II and all of the schools that need it have rejected me or I am not attending, but I can't bear to quit a class I have a 99 in, it just seems wrong. The difference is I like Chem class and loathe Stats.

You made the right decision. If only WI wanted Chem and not stats, sigh.

 

[CalpardNY]

Gah, I wish I could drop Stats. I hate random samples, simple random samples, discrete made up samples etc., but I have to keep it until I decide about WI. I would drop it in a NY minute otherwise.

The irony is I am also taking Chem II and all of the schools that need it have rejected me or I am not attending, but I can't bear to quit a class I have a 99 in, it just seems wrong. The difference is I like Chem class and loathe Stats.

You made the right decision. If only WI wanted Chem and not stats, sigh.

Fargeese I'm sorry - clearly I totally understand your pain! Thankfully my statistics got covered in a psych class since it was a requirement for the neuro major so a bit more interesting. Also thankfully I didn't have any grades in this class - cause i totally understand what you mean about the grade thing...kudos to you for having a 99 in chem II!

I think that thats what put me over the edge for this class. If the professor was good, organized and/or i liked the class it wouldnt be suffering through it...but with everything else it was the icing on the cake!

Thanks for your support about my decision! Wish you could join me though!

 

[pressmom]

Gah, I wish I could drop Stats. I hate random samples, simple random samples, discrete made up samples etc., but I have to keep it until I decide about WI. I would drop it in a NY minute otherwise.

The irony is I am also taking Chem II and all of the schools that need it have rejected me or I am not attending, but I can't bear to quit a class I have a 99 in, it just seems wrong. The difference is I like Chem class and loathe Stats.

You made the right decision. If only WI wanted Chem and not stats, sigh.

You'll be glad you had stats when you're taking epidemiology in vet school!