Should I drop extra course?

[Chamahk]

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I'm highly certain and have my mind made up that I'm going to pursue a career in the medical / health field (specifically: a physician (internist)). The problem is, I'm in high school (final year) and I'm in a situation now where I'm thinking about dropping a certain class. I know at some point when I reach college or medical school I'll probably need to take the class but right now, too much is going on for me to handle and I can't really take it.

I'm thinking of dropping physics. I need your advice. Is this wise? Do physicians really need physics? We're learning about velocity and accelaration what's that to do with someone's heart beat, weight or diet issue?

I also have an SAT waiting for me and I can't really keep up with both. I did extremely horrible the first time around and I have about 4 weeks to study and bang it out in December. To top it all, I'm taking Pre-Calc (in an advanced math class). Math and science haven't really been my natural good subjects (plus I don't study to my fullest). If I understand the material I can do it but it's just not naturally easy like writing or history.

My recent marks:

Physics - 75
Pre-Calc - 80

It doesn't show any signs that it'll get any easier and I hear there's some fierce competition in this field.

Please help me. Should I drop the Physics and handle this college and SAT stuff now and then use the summer time to read some Physics stuff and calm down and prepare to face college or should I continue with it in h.s. and let the fear of failure and not being #1 intimidate and discourage me?

Please help.

I need to make a decision on Wednesday (November 4, 2009)

(sorry for the long read I can't help it. It's how I naturally write.)

 

[FSAP]

Anybody else reads TMQ column on ESPN and his unified theory of creep? I think this qualifies for that.

 

[Neuronix]

In general: always get A grades. If you can't get an A, then drop the course and retake when you can get an A.

Also, get a very high score on your SAT to increase your chances of getting into the school you want and getting scholarship money. If you're in high school, focus on high school. Stop trying to take college courses if you can't handle it right now.

Physics is a required course for all medical schools and is covered on the MCAT.

Also, I moved this thread to hSDN since you're in high school. Your user status should not be MD/PhD student.

 

[Chamahk]

FSAP this isn't funny. Please. I simply asked for some advice or suggestion. No need to insult. Please. Just help me out man. Are you some A+++++????? I'm begging you. Please help me out. I'm not a creep. I'm just a typical h.s. student pressed down by the h.s. system.

 

[CielloStelatto]

first things first, take a deep breath. in any case, this is not the end of the world. now that you appear to have set a goal of making it to the health care profession, use that goal as your motivation to study to your "fullest." if it's something you are serious about, you still have plenty of time to make it work.

you probably know by now that you need to do fairly well on the SAT to get into a decent college. it doesn't have to be a top 5/10 college, just a 4-year school where you feel you fit and will get a good education. BUT - to get there, you have to do well on the SAT (or ACT, depending). you should be aware that the "h.s. system" is not putting as much pressure on you now as college probably well (depending on the schools, yes, yes, i know).

my thought is that you should focus on what you have to do to get where you want. if you're a senior, then there really isn't an option to drop the class with the intention of taking it a semester later if it's a full year or sequenced class. if you can use your new-found motivation (remember your goal?) to study harder and pull up your grade, then do it! by all means! however, if you really don't think that right now you can pull off the SAT and physics at the same time, then focus on the SAT. there will be time to take physics in college (you have to take it at some point before the MCAT/applying to medical schools, and it's probably easier on you if you take it in college to be fresh in your mind for the MCAT). good luck.

 

[Chamahk]

Neuronix, I didn't really quite get what you were saying. I'm not in AP Physics. It's honors / regular not really sure which. My overall grades in h.s. are ok. I have a 91 h.s. GPA for the 3 years. But my science and math grades aren't that good. It's only once I got a 90 in math and a 95 or something in science (I had a nice teacher). Math and science isn't that easy for me. I failed Earth Science. 🙁🙁🙁🙁

I think dropping it will be a good idea. I'll take Marine Biology next semester. Right now I can't really do it.

Sorry about the M.D thing. Didn't know it's how things work out here. Sorry.

 

[Shinobiz11]

If you can work harder to get an A/B then STAY!
Physics may not be that essential to the actualy job of a doctor, but very essential to the path of becoming a docto such as the MCAT and different classes. I had a B+/A- average for my physics class last year and I understand the material a lot better now. Go for it if you can get the grades up, if you can't drop it. I wish I could do the same with my Calc class.

 

[Chamahk]

I'm going to drop Pre-calc and Physics and give my all to the SAT's then next semester I'll go for Marine Bio and Stats when college apps and SAT's have all gone through. I'll be ready, prepared and refreshed and with all that college stuff out the way I can buckle down and study properly and who knows, even partake in some sport or extra-curricular activity.

 

[Knitress]

Unless you are taking a class though a college, med school will never see what you made in it. Seriously. They DO NOT CARE what your HS grades are. I made Cs and Ds my first two years of high school, and I'm starting med school next August.

On the other hand, if you're dual enrolled, they will see, and they will care. But Ws look worse than Bs, so don't think it's a great idea to drop just because you're not making an A.

 

[Neuronix]

But Ws look worse than Bs

Untrue. You shouldn't risk worse than a B either.