Withdraw from a class or stay in?

[deleted932967]

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I need a second opinion on whether to withdraw from my Physics 101 class or stick it out. Seriously considering withdrawing.

My situation: I'm a 30-yr old nontrad doing a DIY post-bacc, and I was trying to apply next year. All I need to take is a year of physics and ochem.

Here's why I think I need to drop it vs keep it:

• Physics 101 might be the "wrong" physics course (Introductory Physics). The course descriptions says Part I of II, but I found out after the Add/Drop Date that there really is no 102. But I need a year of physics to meet admissions requirements.
• I could stay in 101 and take 201 to meet the "year of physics w/ labs" requirement, but I won't have the 202 knowledge for the MCAT.
• The professor is NOT good.
• The only other options are 201 and 202, but I'd have to take both as 201 is a pre-req for 202.
• I'm taking Physics 101 over the summer with five other classes: Chem 112 w/ lab, Paramedic classes (2 lectures, 2 labs).
• I only have one other W from at least 5+ years ago. (some Philosophy 102 or something)
• I'm not doing poorly in the class, but it would be nice to focus on my other classes. This summer semester is rough already, credit-wise.
• I would still be a full-time student over the summer semester (due to paramedic classes).

Does a W impact my GPA?
And if I withdraw, how bad does a W look on an application? (Only having 1 in the past)
Should I stay and self-teach the rest of physics concepts for the MCAT?

 

[BC_89]

I need a second opinion on whether to withdraw from my Physics 101 class or stick it out. Seriously considering withdrawing.

My situation: I'm a 30-yr old nontrad doing a DIY post-bacc, and I was trying to apply next year. All I need to take is a year of physics and ochem.

Here's why I think I need to drop it vs keep it:

• Physics 101 might be the "wrong" physics course (Introductory Physics). The course descriptions says Part I of II, but I found out after the Add/Drop Date that there really is no 102. But I need a year of physics to meet admissions requirements.
• The only other options are 201 and 202, but I'd have to take both as 201 is a pre-req for 202.
• I could stay in 101 and take 201 to meet the "year of physics w/ labs" requirement, but I won't have the 202 knowledge for the MCAT.
• I'm taking Physics 101 over the summer with five other classes: Chem 112 w/ lab, Paramedic classes (2 lectures, 2 labs).
• I only have one other W from at least 5+ years ago. (some Philosophy 102 or something)
• I'm not doing poorly in the class, but it would be nice to focus on my other classes. This summer semester is rough already, credit-wise.
• I would still be a full-time student over the summer semester (due to paramedic classes).

Does a W impact my GPA?
And if I withdraw, how bad does a W look on an application? (Only having 1 in the past)
Should I stay and self-teach the rest of physics concepts for the MCAT?

Since this is a DIY post-bac I strongly suggest you do not withdraw. Earning a "W" during a DIY series will not look good in any way since your essentially doing this not only for MCAT prep, but to raise your GPA to be a competitive applicant. As many others would say on here, this is a marathon not a sprint. It is better to do excellent on everything you do here on out even if it means pushing back a course by one term. This would just be another stumbling block that is not worth the hassle to have in the first place that a "W" being a redflag.

I've had past colleagues self study and audit certain calculus based physics courses to prep for the MCAT (many of which getting good enough scores for interviews).

 

[Sleepingdoc]

I need a second opinion on whether to withdraw from my Physics 101 class or stick it out. Seriously considering withdrawing.

My situation: I'm a 30-yr old nontrad doing a DIY post-bacc, and I was trying to apply next year. All I need to take is a year of physics and ochem.

Here's why I think I need to drop it vs keep it:

• Physics 101 might be the "wrong" physics course (Introductory Physics). The course descriptions says Part I of II, but I found out after the Add/Drop Date that there really is no 102. But I need a year of physics to meet admissions requirements.
• I could stay in 101 and take 201 to meet the "year of physics w/ labs" requirement, but I won't have the 202 knowledge for the MCAT.
• The professor is NOT good.
• The only other options are 201 and 202, but I'd have to take both as 201 is a pre-req for 202.
• I'm taking Physics 101 over the summer with five other classes: Chem 112 w/ lab, Paramedic classes (2 lectures, 2 labs).
• I only have one other W from at least 5+ years ago. (some Philosophy 102 or something)
• I'm not doing poorly in the class, but it would be nice to focus on my other classes. This summer semester is rough already, credit-wise.
• I would still be a full-time student over the summer semester (due to paramedic classes).

Does a W impact my GPA?
And if I withdraw, how bad does a W look on an application? (Only having 1 in the past)
Should I stay and self-teach the rest of physics concepts for the MCAT?

W looks bad if you have too many of it.

 

[Moko]

As long as the rest of your application is solid, two Ws (over several years) are not going to matter. The reason to drop it would be if it's not the correct course and it's going to drag down your GPA. If you're doing well in the class, wouldn't hurt to continue it.

Having said that, are you positive that you are not in the correct sequence? What sequence do the premeds take to satisfy the physics requirement? Before dropping the class, I would make sure.

 

[hamiltonnyc]

Not super familiar with the pass/fail option, but is it too late to change the grading basis to pass/fail? My understanding is this does not go into your AMCAS GPA, but I'm not sure of any other repercussions.

 

[deleted932967]

Since this is a DIY post-bac I strongly suggest you do not withdraw. Earning a "W" during a DIY series will not look good in any way since your essentially doing this not only for MCAT prep, but to raise your GPA to be a competitive applicant. As many others would say on here, this is a marathon not a sprint. It is better to do excellent on everything you do here on out even if it means pushing back a course by one term. This would just be another stumbling block that is not worth the hassle to have in the first place that a "W" being a redflag.

I've had past colleagues self study and audit certain calculus based physics courses to prep for the MCAT (many of which getting good enough scores for interviews).

Thank you so much for the honesty. That makes sense. I don't need any more red flags other than my old GPA. I'll stick it out and figure out the rest. I was doing some more digging and I may have found a Physics 102 (Part II) option at a community college within driving distance.

 

[deleted932967]

Few professors are good
Stay in the course, earn a good grade, enjoy the benefit to your GPA

In the following semesters touch base with an advisor about proper courses at your university that fit the bill for pre-reqs

Will definitely stay in - thanks weighing in!

And this will work for pre-reqs, but the trouble was finding the second part of the course. I may have found Part II at another college within driving distance, which would mean I won't need to take 3 Physics courses to meet pre-reqs and MCAT prep.

 

[deleted932967]

As long as the rest of your application is solid, two Ws (over several years) are not going to matter. The reason to drop it would be if it's not the correct course and it's going to drag down your GPA. If you're doing well in the class, wouldn't hurt to continue it.

Having said that, are you positive that you are not in the correct sequence? What sequence do the premeds take to satisfy the physics requirement? Before dropping the class, I would make sure.

There are actually other pre-meds in my class. I was just worried that I would't be able to take Part II in a coming semester. But it looks like I might be able to take 102 at a community college in driving distance (which would complete the sequence for me).

I'm going to stick it out!

Thank you

 

[deleted932967]

Thanks to everyone for weighing in so quickly. Going to stick it out!

 

[deleted932967]

Update for anyone who happens to care: I did NOT withdraw and finished the course with an A. It was rough, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Now I'm figuring out my gameplan for the next couple of semesters. I need "1 year of physics + lab" but also need to learn content for the MCAT. So it looks like 102 is available online at a community college, and my plan is to take that to at least get the content for the MCAT, while finishing the pre-req requirements "1 year of physics + lab" later with an in-person class.