How bad will it look if I take JUST physics at my local state school?

[rams1986]

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Hey guys, So I'm currently a sophomore at Stanford University, and I'm hoping to take physics this summer for a number of reasons- primarily to leave open my Spring term for some time abroad. However, for the summer, I'm going to be returning home to work for my research lab, so my pick of physics classes is going to be from my local universities. I can choose from either the local private instiutions (equivalent to WashU, Northwestern, or Emory), or my state school (which would be equivalent to some place like Santa Clara U, for example or UMSL/UMKC, or UIC).

Not only is the state school cheaper, but it also works much better for my schedule. That is, the private school makes the lab portion of the class required, and the lab runs during the entire afternoon for 2 days a week. This means that I will only get to spend time in the lab, which is not something I'm particularily happy about, since I love my research. By contrast, the state school has the lab component as an optional element (which I like, since i can come back to stanford and take the 2 labs, which are 1 unit and separate from the lecture classes).

However, I've been hearing some people talk about how taking classes at "lower tier" institutions can potentially hurt your application. At the same time I've also heard that it really doesn't matter at all if you take one set of core classes at a "lower school" so long as you prove yourself at your home institution. Thus far, I've managed A's in my 2 quarters of biology, As and 1 A+ in ochem/chem, and an A in my linear algebra/multivariable calc class. My overall GPA is something like a 4.04 (4.00 AMCAS)- I'm probably going to be Bio major, and I'm also going to do an honors program here in the Humanities.

Other than physics, I haven't taken my chem labs (standalone classes) yet, because I truly think I will loath these. The chemistry labs at Stanford are absolutely HORRIBLE, as they are graded on strict curves for each 15 person lab section, with people being "ranked" according to "lab performance" and a certain number of people "guaranteed" to get C's D's and F's, regardless of their emprical lab report grades/test scores. They are insanely competitive, and I'm dreading them, because there's no intelligence component to the class, and I feel kind of helpless because of that- it's all about how anal you want to be, and whether you want to write 40 page lab reports on a weekly basis (no joke) to outcompete other kids in your section. I'm trying to put these off until senior year when they won't factor into my GPA (is this allright?).


I'm not exactly sure where I want to go to med school yet, since I haven't taken the MCATs yet, but I'd like to keep my options open for the most selective schools as well as lesser competitive ones.
So yeah, I guess there's two questions there, but yeah, anyway input you guys might have would be welcomed.

 

[GujuMD]

taking one class at your local state school should not hurt your app. its just one class. i am sure they'll wonder why you took that class there, but when they'll see that you were doing research around that area (assuming they go trhough the app in that detail) they'll figure it out.

also doing research, taking physics...will that allow you time to prepare for MCAT?

 

[solitude]

I'm also a sophomore but at Duke, and I think you should be fine as long as your grades in Stanford courses remain strong. That seems to be the consensus here at Duke. For example, see question 25 at http://www.aas.duke.edu/trinity/prehealth/faq/rcourses.html. The courses will be easier, but as long as your other grades are fine, nobody will look down on it. Especially if you can explain why it was logistically beneficial, just in case it ever comes up in an interview.

With regards to the chem labs, I feel you on that man. I have chosen to get all of my prereqs done by the end of my sophomore year, including the chem labs, but it was a hellish ride (only two weeks left in the year--thank you semester system). The competition was intense but I think it was worth it to get them out of the way and my GPA didn't suffer. With that said, I see no need for you to complete them before your senior year, particularly if you think they may take a hit on your GPA.

I'm also really into research. Are you thinking about MD/PhD programs?

Hey guys, So I'm currently a sophomore at Stanford University, and I'm hoping to take physics this summer for a number of reasons- to potentially help prepare take the MCAT this August, as well as to leave open my Spring term for some time abroad. However, for the summer, I'm going to be returning home to work for my research lab, so my pick of physics classes is going to be from my local universities. I can choose from either the local private instiutions (equivalent to WashU, Northwestern, or Emory), or my state school (which would be equivalent to like one of the lesser UCs (Santa Clara) for example or UMSL/UMKC, or UIC).

Not only is the state school cheaper, but it also works much better for my schedule. That is, the private school makes the lab portion of the class required, and the lab runs during the entire afternoon for 2 days a week. This means that I will only get to spend time in the lab, which is not something I'm particularily happy about, since I love my research. By contrast, the state school has the lab component as an optional element (which I like, since i can come back to stanford and take the 2 labs, which are 1 unit and separate from the lecture classes).

However, I've been hearing some people talk about how taking classes at "lower tier" institutions can potentially hurt your application. At the same time I've also heard that it really doesn't matter at all if you take one set of core classes at a "lower school" so long as you prove yourself at your home institution. Thus far, I've managed A's in my 2 quarters of biology, As and 1 A+ in ochem/chem, and an A in my linear algebra/multivariable calc class. My overall GPA is something like a 4.04- I'm probably going to be Bio major, and I'm also going to do an honors program here in the Humanities.

Other than physics, I haven't taken my chem labs (standalone classes) yet, because I truly think I will loath these. The chemistry labs at Stanford are absolutely HORRIBLE, as they are graded on strict curves for each 15 person lab section, with people being "ranked" according to "lab performance" and a certain number of people "guaranteed" to get C's D's and F's, regardless of their emprical lab report grades/test scores. They are insanely competitive, and I'm dreading them, because there's no intelligence component to the class, and I feel kind of helpless because of that- it's all about how anal you want to be, and whether you want to write 40 page lab reports on a weekly basis (no joke) to outcompete other kids in your section. I'm trying to put these off until senior year when they won't factor into my GPA (is this allright?).


I'm not exactly sure where I want to go to med school yet, since I haven't taken the MCATs yet, but I'd like to keep my options open for the most selective schools as well as lesser competitive ones.
So yeah, I guess there's two questions there, but yeah, anyway input you guys might have would be welcomed.

 

[solitude]

taking one class at your local state school should not hurt your app. its just one class. i am sure they'll wonder why you took that class there, but when they'll see that you were doing research around that area (assuming they go trhough the app in that detail) they'll figure it out.

also doing research, taking physics...will that allow you time to prepare for MCAT?

This is somewhat of a concern. I will be doing research about 50hrs/wk and studying for the MCAT the rest of the time this summer, but I don't know if I could handle a couple summer courses. The physics on the MCAT is really easy. If you took AP physics it may be best to self-study it. If you aren't going to be working in the lab full time, then you should have time for it.

 

[rcd]

(which would be equivalent to like one of the lesser UCs (Santa Clara) for example or UMSL/UMKC, or UIC)

 

[tacrum43]

Hey guys, So I'm currently a sophomore at Stanford University, and I'm hoping to take physics this summer for a number of reasons- to potentially help prepare take the MCAT this August, as well as to leave open my Spring term for some time abroad. However, for the summer, I'm going to be returning home to work for my research lab, so my pick of physics classes is going to be from my local universities. I can choose from either the local private instiutions (equivalent to WashU, Northwestern, or Emory), or my state school (which would be equivalent to like one of the lesser UCs (Santa Clara) for example or UMSL/UMKC, or UIC).

Not only is the state school cheaper, but it also works much better for my schedule. That is, the private school makes the lab portion of the class required, and the lab runs during the entire afternoon for 2 days a week. This means that I will only get to spend time in the lab, which is not something I'm particularily happy about, since I love my research. By contrast, the state school has the lab component as an optional element (which I like, since i can come back to stanford and take the 2 labs, which are 1 unit and separate from the lecture classes).

However, I've been hearing some people talk about how taking classes at "lower tier" institutions can potentially hurt your application. At the same time I've also heard that it really doesn't matter at all if you take one set of core classes at a "lower school" so long as you prove yourself at your home institution. Thus far, I've managed A's in my 2 quarters of biology, As and 1 A+ in ochem/chem, and an A in my linear algebra/multivariable calc class. My overall GPA is something like a 4.04- I'm probably going to be Bio major, and I'm also going to do an honors program here in the Humanities.

Other than physics, I haven't taken my chem labs (standalone classes) yet, because I truly think I will loath these. The chemistry labs at Stanford are absolutely HORRIBLE, as they are graded on strict curves for each 15 person lab section, with people being "ranked" according to "lab performance" and a certain number of people "guaranteed" to get C's D's and F's, regardless of their emprical lab report grades/test scores. They are insanely competitive, and I'm dreading them, because there's no intelligence component to the class, and I feel kind of helpless because of that- it's all about how anal you want to be, and whether you want to write 40 page lab reports on a weekly basis (no joke) to outcompete other kids in your section. I'm trying to put these off until senior year when they won't factor into my GPA (is this allright?).


I'm not exactly sure where I want to go to med school yet, since I haven't taken the MCATs yet, but I'd like to keep my options open for the most selective schools as well as lesser competitive ones.
So yeah, I guess there's two questions there, but yeah, anyway input you guys might have would be welcomed.

4.04? UC Santa Clara? What alternate reality are you living in?

As for something useful, taking some courses at another 4-year school should be fine. Taking them at a CC is not recommended, however.

 

[NapeSpikes]

4.04? UC Santa Clara? What alternate reality are you living in?

Is the OP for real, or is this some high school kid planning everything three years in advance?

 

[DoctorPardi]

I think there are a lot of problems with this plan. One you'll be doing 50 hours of research a long with physics and studying for the mcat. That is just stupid.

You're going to need physics for the MCAT so you'll need to take that before hand. Also you'll need to study for the MCAT like crazy. So the only thing you don't HAVE to have is research.

I'd say you have two options:
1) get out of the research and take physics over the summer at Stanford while studying for the MCAT
2) continue to do research, and that is it, and take physics next year and take next year's april MCAT.

I just don't see you being able to do all three of these things, and I may not even be answering your question but I think you should really consider not attempting to do this.

 

[^=^]

There is no UC Santa Clara. It's Santa Clara University (private)

 

[rams1986]

allright so it sounds like i probably shouldnt take the MCAT this august- thats fine by me- I probably should have stated that I was only entertaining the possibility at this point. really, the main reason for me taking physics over the summer is to open things up for me during the year (going abroad/taking classes for my other academic interests).

And no I'm not some crazy. I really am a sophmomore. Stanford hands out A+'s which are weighted at 4.3.

And yeah, seeing as how i've been in the bay area for 2 years, I probably should have realized that Santa Clara wasn't a UC. 😛

 

[Gavanshir]

That's like going to the prom in your undies. It would look bad.

 

[NapeSpikes]

allright so it sounds like i probably shouldnt take the MCAT this august- thats fine by me- I probably should have stated that I was only entertaining the possibility at this point. really, the main reason for me taking physics over the summer is to open things up for me during the year (going abroad/taking classes for my other academic interests).

And no I'm not some crazy. I really am a sophmomore. Stanford hands out A+'s which are weighted at 4.3.

And yeah, seeing as how i've been in the bay area for 2 years, I probably should have realized that Santa Clara wasn't a UC. 😛

In that case, with your ace-ing your other prereqs at Stanford, taking Physics at a state school shouldn't be a problem.

 

[solitude]

allright so it sounds like i probably shouldnt take the MCAT this august- thats fine by me- I probably should have stated that I was only entertaining the possibility at this point. really, the main reason for me taking physics over the summer is to open things up for me during the year (going abroad/taking classes for my other academic interests).

And no I'm not some crazy. I really am a sophmomore. Stanford hands out A+'s which are weighted at 4.3.

And yeah, seeing as how i've been in the bay area for 2 years, I probably should have realized that Santa Clara wasn't a UC. 😛

I would actually think very hard about taking the MCAT this summer, IF and only if you can fit in physics and actually find the time to study for it. Can you work out a deal to only work 30 or so hours in the lab, and find a few weeks before the exam for protected study time? I have done similarly well in my prereqs here and have been rocking practice exams before I will even start actually studying this summer. If you can find enough time to get prepared (and it might not take a huge time commitment based on your performance), I would highly recommend taking it this summer.

 

[rams1986]

I probably should add that I wouldnt mind taking it at the private insitution this summer.

The question is, is it worth it to pay a few thousand more, and cut my research time in half, just to get that "improvement" in name as for where I took physics.

 

[rams1986]

And to solitude: Yeah, I am interested in MD/PhD programs. The only thing that scares me a bit about them at this point is the really long time comittment (7-10 years).

 

[91946]

wow... A+ counts as 4.3 at stanford? damn, i wish it was like that everywhere.

 

[rams1986]

wow... A+ counts as 4.3 at stanford? damn, i wish it was like that everywhere.

In the end, I guess it doesnt matter, since AMCAS pulls everything down to 4.0.

 

[solitude]

And to solitude: Yeah, I am interested in MD/PhD programs. The only thing that scares me a bit about them at this point is the really long time comittment (7-10 years).

Yeah the time commitment can be daunting. Surf around the MD/PhD forum if you get a chance--it's pretty helpful. Good luck man.

 

[MedicineNutt]

Physics Is Phun

 

[DoctorPardi]

Is the OP for real, or is this some high school kid planning everything three years in advance?

Hey napespikes I meant to say thanks about taking the time to check out my mdapps profile and commenting with something positive. 🙂

 

[Paperboy!]

wow... A+ counts as 4.3 at stanford? damn, i wish it was like that everywhere.

goddamn!!! at wash u they had grade DEflation!!!

 

[rams1986]

So what seems to be the consensus? If you guys were in my shoes, what would you do?

 

[MAC12383]

I took gen chem 1 and 2 at a local community college during the summer between freshman and sophomore years just because I wanted to get it out of the way since I didn't get to take it freshman year. It didn't affect me at all during the admission process, so it shouldn't be a problem. But definitely get an A if you're going to take it there.