Pass/Fail Classes?

[vsasi]

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I was just wondering how adcoms view Pass/Fail classes. I intend to take Calc III Pass/Fail, only because it is a pre-req for some upper-level bio/chem courses. Is this seen as a sign of weakness and/or laziness?

 

[DrJ2B]

IMHO, pass/fail classes are more for elective-type classes that you want to take for fun and not care about a grade (My friends have taken photography and art classes pass/fail.) and not classes like Calc or science classes that would be considered required classes or prereq classes for another course.

 

[Alcon]

How about an English class my last semester? Will they care at all? I've only taken one english course in college, and read on some school websites that two semesters are recommended/required.


In fact, I'd love to take and extra elective class as well pass/fail, just for fun. That would make 2 graded and 2 pass/fail courses... any opinions?

Thanks

BTW I have 5 interviews, but no acceptances yet.

 

[thewzdoc]

If you have a good GPA and a few pass/fail courses I don?t see why adcoms would care. If you had an average GPA and some pass/fail courses then this might raise a flag.

 

[DrJ2B]

Hey Alcon!

I would really not recommend taking two courses pass/fail in one semester. You should only take one pass/fail and that should be you fun elective. If your schools require/recommend that you have 2 english courses, then you should not pass/fail it. In general, if it is considered a prereq by most schools, I would not pass/fail it.

 

[jlee9531]

you better take those english classes for grades. if i remember correctly almost every school i applied to required a year of english and i dont think they accept P/NP grades.

 

[lizzylu]

I took a literature class pass/fail for fun (which of course I would have gotten an A in) to later find out that I needed another semester of English. If I would have taken that previous class for a grade I wouldn't have needed to take an upper division English class my senior year. My advice: take it for a grade.

 

[musiclink213]

i'm with everyone else. If it's a prereq, take it for a grade. even if it's not required for med school, but is required for another class. do a fun elective class pass/fail so you won't have to stress out about it.

 

[exmike]

yeah, it wouldl be odd taking a prereq pass fail. anything else is fair game in moderation imho

 

[Alcon]

Wow, thanks for the responses everyone!

I'll be taking that English class for a grade, although that will be my third and final class this semester (I am TA-ing a Bio class and have 2 part-time jobs, not to mention a few interviews still to go).

 

[lilstina]

Originally posted by exmike
yeah, it wouldl be odd taking a prereq pass fail. anything else is fair game in moderation imho

Didn't you take some of the prereqs first sem at Hop pass/fail? First sem was all S/U wasn't it?

 

[exmike]

Originally posted by lilstina
Didn't you take some of the prereqs first sem at Hop pass/fail? First sem was all S/U wasn't it?

It was P/F, but i mean, the whole semester was P/F so its not like there was anything I could do about it. I meant if you had the option. Nice eye.

 

[bewitched1081]

if you've already taken a year of calc then it doesnt matter, but if the calc class completes a year, then you might want to take it for a grade cause some schools (harvard, wash u in st louis, and maybe others) req' a full year of calc.

 

[vsasi]

Yeah, that's pretty much my situation. I finished Calc II in the fall, completing the required year of calc for most requirements. However, here at Wash U it is often strongly recommended if not required to complete Calc III to major in one of the sciences. This is why I would have liked to take it Pass/Fail.

 

[JohnHolmes]

Originally posted by jlee9531
you better take those english classes for grades. if i remember correctly almost every school i applied to required a year of english and i dont think they accept P/NP grades.

The advice on this thread from fellow posters is fabulous! Listen to them!

This is definitely true. If you haven't had any English courses, you better take one or two for a grade! Even if you DID get AP credit! If you havent gotten AP English credit, this is kindof essential. If you do take it P/F, AP credit or no, just be aware that your Verbal section is going to take on even more added importance to judge your writing and speaking skills.

Coops