Help! To Drop Or Not To Drop?

[TravellinDoc]

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So I was hoping you all could give me a little advice. I am currently enrolled in a biochem class at my state university. I originally took it to simply boost my application's strength and to satisfy the biochem requirement at USC (CA). I originally put it in my AMCAS that i was taking one sem of Biochem in the summer (which i dropped cuz i was working 40hrs a week and it was a 1 month intense course. even the prof told me to drop if i wanted a good grade) and one sem of english in the fall (cuz i only have 1 sem). Well, I really don't want to go to USC anymore and after visiting tulane, they told me I didn't need another english (and they don't require biochem). Do you think it would look really bad if I dropped my biochem class and got a W on my transcript if I end up getting into Tulane next week? Do you think schools like the Univ of WA would reject me thinking I was a lazy bum? What If I turn my class into a P/F grading scale and finish that way? Any thoughts on this are GREATLY appreciated cuz I'm very unsure of what I should do. I want to drop cuz there's no point in me taking this course when I could be doing a lot of other things to develop myself. Thanks so much!

 

[MNgrrl]

I can't really say anything about what a school would think, but from the perspective of a MS1, I would encourage you to stay in the class if you possibly can. I think biochem is one of the classes that has been the most useful for me this year. I would say however, that keeping or dropping one class isnt really going to make a huge difference to schools in the grand scheme of things (unless of course, biochem is a prereq for that school). Good luck!

 

[hardyharhar]

If you get into Tulane next week, why does it matter what Univ of WA thinks or does?

But, don't put all your eggs into one basket. Another thing is, med schools - Tulane included - may like to see that you're at least sticking to your plan of taking Biochem and English. They will probably be able to understand if you explained to them why you dropped it during the summer, but I think you're better off in their eyes (and ask yourself if you will truly feel safe yourself if you drop these courses?) if you stick it out this semester. Have you interviewed at Tulane yet? What if part of the reason they like you is because you're taking Biochem and English, even if they aren't required courses?

I hope I am understanding the situation correctly. It just seems like a "better to be safe than sorry" sort of thing. My momma always told me - now, seriously - better to be safe and predictable, and med schools may see that. Also, I don't think a "W" ever looks good.

 

[TravellinDoc]

I interviewed at tulane last thursday. you may be right about the fact that i may have been chosen b/c i was taking these classes. However, they are unnecessary and a waste of my time. I know that at tulane they do biochem during the second year and it's completely different than the traditional intro undergrad class. Do you think I should call them and ask if I get an acceptance letter next week? What do you guys think of changing the grading scale to pass/fail. I really would rather use this time to get involved in my community and not necessarily because I don't want to do the work. Thanks for your comments, btw!!!