Summer school question

[UCLAstudent]

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I need some opinions about something. I took my first physics class (Physics 6A) this past winter quarter and I am taking the second class, Physics 6B, this spring. I was planning on taking my final physics class this summer at UC Riverside... UCLA has already told me that Physics 2C at UCR would be equivalent to Physics 6C at UCLA and that I will get credit for it. However, I was looking at the list of topics for 2C and 6C and a lot of things are quite different. A lot of stuff covered in 2C will be covered in 6B, which I am taking this spring. And a lot of stuff covered in 6C isn't covered in 2C.

I am kind of skeptical now. How important is it that all of the topics of 6C and 2C are the same? Would it be wiser to just take Physics 6C next fall at UCLA? If so, I can just take a GE or something at UCR this summer. I just don't want to be messed up for the MCAT by not having learned all of the information that will be included.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Bonds756]

If it is all about learning, then I wait say sait and take the third semester at UCLA. But as far as getting ready for the MCATs, I don't think it will be a problem. The MCATs are much more general than a specific science class since it encompasses so much information. And if there is a huge gap in the two classes, you can pick it up on your own (either studying from a review book with has everything you need to know or taking a prep class).
And why do you feel you need to take anything this summer?

 

[UCLAstudent]

Thanks for the advice. I don't really NEED to take a summer class, but I go crazy during the summer if I am not doing something. I am doing it more to keep me entertained than anything.

 

[UCLA Paratrooper]

I'm not sure what's offered in 6C that's not offered in 2C, but there is not too much on the MCAT from UCLA's Physics 6C. I know a lot of friends who took the MCAT without taking Physics 6C and did fine. They did have to learn some of the stuff on their own, but they managed. So it shouldn't make too much of a difference if you took 2C at Riverside, in my opinion...

UCLA Paratrooper

 

[paean]

Do something other than school this summer if you don't absolutely need to take classes. I'm a school-a-holic and took classes a number of summers, but the ones that were the most interesting and fun, and helped me stand out when applying were the non-school summers.

Travel, volunteer, work, do research, write a novel, do something that once you get into medical school you will be hard pressed to take the time off to explore.

My top recommendation is to travel. I went to Europe for a whole summer on $2000 student loan money and work money I had managed to set aside during one year. Best educational dollars I spent as an undergrad. If you just can't give up on school, how about language classes and clinical volunteering in south america or asia?

In terms of the MCAT, it depends on the topics you are concerned about skipping, but you can go look at the physics topics covered on the MCAT, and see if you will be at a disadvantage or not.