Work/Money vs. More classes, which one?

[relentless11]

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Hi there,

I'm in an interesting predicament at the moment. I've been doing an unofficial post-bacc program for a year now. This "program" requires me to pay $168 per unit of class I take, so it can get quite expensive. Anyway i just started a new quarter. Originally I planned to take 4 upper division science classes (12 qtr units), however this one class is really.......awkward for lack of a term. Pretty much I am wondering if i should throw this class out, and drop down to 9 units since it saves me money and time.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not trying to get out of an early morning class or anything. But, i support myself, and my family , so I want to spend my money and time appropriately. However at the same time, i don't want to seem like i'm taking less classes to just spruce up my GPA. Pretty much, I work 3 jobs:

1) Post-graduate researcher
2) After school middle school teacher
3) Software development for the US Army

I can of course sympathize with myself...hahaha...but the big factor is IF i choose to not take that class wuold the adcoms care, or believe my situation? The class i'm considering about dropping is called Physiological Genomics. Sounds exciting yes, but after 2 days of classes, its has proven to be merely a writing class. The class focuses SOLELY on obesity. I personally have no qualms against this topic but to sit on one subject for 9 weeks, and on top of that a professor who doesn't teach too well....i just don't know.

The rest of my courses are as follows (all upper division):

1) Biophysics
2) Gastrointestinal Physiology
3) Neuroscience

So really, the class that I dropped is relatively my easiest class. Thoughts? I think the big thing that bugs me is "wasting" something like $500 for that class, plus using up several hours per week for it. Thanks for the help!

 

[jlee9531]

whats the problem here?
its an unofficial postbacc.
just drop the class and save some money.
its not like you are getting a W or F for it.
they are not gonna care.

 

[rockstar2525]

Drop the class, life is too short to waste you time doing things just becuase you think adcoms will like it.

 

[PineappleGirl]

It's probably still early enough in the semester to drop without getting a W (check with the registrar's office at your school). As said above, no point sitting in a class you don't enjoy. If it's too late to drop it without the W though, it's probably best muddling through, since the W would look bad on your transcript.

 

[Mutterkuchen]

Even if you have a W on the transcript, no one will care. Drop the class if you have other obligations and don't need it. The only time a W is a problem is if your transcript is littered with them. There are a ton of reasons to drop a class, and you do not need to be definsive or apologetic about it. Have a good explanation, then don't worry about it again.

Your money and your time are valuable commodities. Enjoy them now, before your lose them in medical school!

 

[relentless11]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I pretty much decided to say forget that class. Showed up for the 3rd day of class today and its still the same old boring stuff.

No problems about W's...since we starte school last week..haha. Good ole UC system. Anyway, yea I agree that nothing TOO bad about a W aslong as your transcript isn't littered with them, and you have a good explanation as to why you got them. I personally have like 2....and they were like from nearly 7 years ago. So really..whatever..haha.

Once again thanks for the advice guys. Nice to have such a great support structure here.

 

[Uegis]

Are u taking classes through the UCD Extension? My friend is taking courses for dental schoo, and told me it is ungodly expensive to do that.

I'm also a PGR too, at the UCDMC, taken some time off school. In my second year now. Well, good luck with your classes. Those courses sound tough!!

 

[relentless11]

Are u taking classes through the UCD Extension? My friend is taking courses for dental schoo, and told me it is ungodly expensive to do that.

I'm also a PGR too, at the UCDMC, taken some time off school. In my second year now. Well, good luck with your classes. Those courses sound tough!!

Yea, i think my pay grade is like...PGR I, or it was switched to GSR I, something like that. Who knows, all i know ig et some measly amount of $$$$..haha.

And yes, its VERY expensive. $168/unit! See my other thread..haha. Gotta keep going full time or close to it though....(even if it costs 2 grand!). Which department are you in?

I'm in Medical Pathology.

 

[Uegis]

Yea, i think my pay grade is like...PGR I, or it was switched to GSR I, something like that. Who knows, all i know ig et some measly amount of $$$$..haha.

And yes, its VERY expensive. $168/unit! See my other thread..haha. Gotta keep going full time or close to it though....(even if it costs 2 grand!). Which department are you in?

I'm in Medical Pathology.

Medical Pathology? Do you work for Dr. Cheung in Research III at the med center campus? Or are you at the main campus? I am under gastroenterology, doing some oncology stuff.

Yea, I got my title "demoted" to junior specialist since they got rid of the PGR title. I liked the sound of PGR more.

 

[relentless11]

Medical Pathology? Do you work for Dr. Cheung in Research III at the med center campus? Or are you at the main campus? I am under gastroenterology, doing some oncology stuff.

Yea, I got my title "demoted" to junior specialist since they got rid of the PGR title. I liked the sound of PGR more.

Nah, i'm down at the main campus at Tupper Hall. However I have met Dr. Cheung. If i recall he was my moderator for that annual URC. I think he was promoted to some high ranking position in med path a few months back? I just remember I had to send some NIH stuff to him to approve back in May-June.