Question from a High School Student

[zhenghank]

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Hi. I'm currently a High School student, grade 11, in my second semester. I have a question regarding course selections.

I'm concerned that I haven't chosen enough University courses. Last semester, I had Functions and Relations University, English University, Biology Univeristy, and Presentations and Speaking Skills Open. This semester, I have Law (M), Chemistry Univeristy, and Co-op.

As you can see from my courses, after Grade 11, I'll have only completed 4 Univeristy courses and 1 M course. I made a mistake not choosing Physics University last year in Grade 10, however, I'm planning to take it in summer school (can't switch out of law to take it, doesn't work with my schedule). In retrospect, it was a bad idea not to as from I hear, to be an Optometrist, Physics has to be taken in first year University.

To get to the point, have I disadvantaged myself here? I know of people who have at least 5 University courses, and more M courses, but got abysmal marks. I, on the other hand, did not take too many U/M courses, but I averaged at around 91% last semester (not including the open course). Due to this fact, I've been considering dropping co-op (it's at an Optometry office) to take more M courses, as there are not many U courses I am interested in (only French I believe). If IAPS Unveristy and Law University were courses I could take, I'd do so in a heartbeat, but we only Law M and IAPS M at my school.

 

[JMU07]

Ummmm. Most people don't take any college courses in high school, unless we're talking about AP classes? I'm a little confused. At any rate, I know a lot of people (myself included) that didn't have any college credits graduating from high school. Where are you from?

You're not even in college yet - relax and have fun!! 🙂

 

[EyEnStein 07]

Dont worry about it, it wont disadvantage you in any way... I'm not sure if you attend a US high school, but even if you dont, you will most likely take these classes again in college.

I have college credit from high school, and whatever i don't have (in terms of pre-reqs) im taking now in college.

Its nothing to worry about, and you can always brush up on the skills. My suggestion is, do what ever you need to, to graduate High School (im sure they have there set requirements), and worry about pre-reqs when you go to college. Also there are many people who take College Level classes and receive credit in high school but the college they end up going to do not accept the credits.

 

[zhenghank]

Ummmm. Most people don't take any college courses in high school, unless we're talking about AP classes? I'm a little confused. At any rate, I know a lot of people (myself included) that didn't have any college credits graduating from high school. Where are you from?

You're not even in college yet - relax and have fun!! 🙂

I'm from Canada.

We have 3 types of course levels here; College or C for individuals who are going to College, Univeristy or U for those who are going to University, and M or mixed which is a college/university course.

EDIT: By the way, by College, you guys mean University, right?

 

[JMU07]

I'm from Canada.

We have 3 types of course levels here; College or C for individuals who are going to College, Univeristy or U for those who are going to University, and M or mixed which is a college/university course.

EDIT: By the way, by College, you guys mean University, right?

Oh, okay! And yeah, we call it college here 😀 I mean, there are colleges and universities but one isn't necessarily better than the other. Universities have more programs, I believe.

 

[EyEnStein 07]

Oh, okay! And yeah, we call it college here 😀 I mean, there are colleges and universities but one isn't necessarily better than the other. Universities have more programs, I believe.

yes, JMU07 is basically right, college and universities here are looked equivalently. If you decide to go to school in the US, zhenghank, your courses will not make a difference in terms of applying to universities and colleges.

Not sure about canada, but the difference in US between Colleges and Universities is that, All Universities offer Professional Degree, Doctoral and Masters degree programs in a large variety, where as MOST colleges offer only bachelors and masters degree programs, where only some offer doctoral. (i think)

 

[CanadaOptomGirl]

Hi zhenghank

I'm a current Canadian university student applying to optometry this year. What university are you looking at applying to after high school? Don't worry about your U and C courses, just look at the program you want to get into (biomed, lifesci etc.) and see if you have all the prereqs. It's not even a big deal if you haven't taken physics, they teach it a little faster in university but they start from the beginning so you're not at a disadvantage, especially if you're average is above 90! 👍

hope that helps, send me a msg if you have any more questions

 

[zhenghank]

I'm not quite sure, but I think in Canada, there is a pretty difference between University and College. In fact, even what is taught in some U level courses in High School, isn't taught until College for college bound students.

And thanks CanadaOptomGirl. I've been feeling that I was somewhat undeserving of my grades, due to the fact that my teachers weren't too difficult or strict. Furthermore, I'm attending a high school in the Durham Region, and am under the Durham School Board system, which I think may be much different than the TDSB. From what I've been noticing, schools in the DDSB seem to assign more homework than schools in the TDSB, which seem to be weighing assessments more heavily, as I know many in TDSB high schools who get hardly any work. Oh and also, I'm looking to get into Waterloo for the 3 year undergraduate studies, and apply for the 4 year Optometry program there.

 

[blysssful]

To echo what other posters have said, you're not at a disadvantage & should just relax at this point and focus on getting into an undergraduate program that appeals to you.

Something that is important to note: not all optometry schools will accept high school credits (even if they were taken at the "university level") for pre-requisite courses. You may have to take them again... and even if you don't HAVE TO, you might want to for your own sake. Higher level high school courses don't compare to actual university courses-- at least not in my experience.

Seems like you've got a great head on your shoulders... try not to stress too much and burn yourself out though.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Hmm, well, a lot of us didn't decide on optometry until much later. You're already much ahead of the curve, just be sure to fulfill the specific requirements from Waterloo.
I'm sure once you get into university, you can talk to your counselors, and they will help you plan out a proper curriculum. It's so early, but good luck!

 

[eheaps]

Usually a University in the US can be made up of "Colleges." For example (since we are on an OD forum), Salus University is the home to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry as well as the College of Audiology and they have one other I think. Same for something like Nova or Western or Berkeley etc. Even at my undergraduate university (U of Maryland), I'm part of the College of Life Sciences, which is for biology and chemistry majors. In many instances, a college can be independent and not part of a university. Community colleges is one example, small colleges such as Ramapo College (in northern NJ), or a small graduate college like the Southern College of Optometry!

hope this helps!