I’m currently doing forecasting for my classes next year and I’m stuck between what classes I should take next year as a junior. I’m not sure if I want to continue the medical classes at my school, which will enable me to take an internship my senior year that will take up a lot of electives. However, I feel like I’m narrowing my career options by continuing with these medical classes as I don’t really know for sure that I want to do something medical. My school offers a lot of other AP classes (which would look good on college applications) like AP Computer Science which I am somewhat interested in, but I’m not too sure if I want to take these classes either. In brief, should I continue with career based classes or take AP classes.
High school is time for expeimenting and finding your passions. You probably won’t get a chance to do this (for free) again.
My general advice would be to sign up for the medical classes, but over summer, experiment a little with all the classes you are considering. For instance, for AP Comp Sci, there are tons of free intro to coding tutorials online. Try them out for 1-2 weeks, then, if you are still genuinely interested, switch your schedule on the first day of school.
Follow your passions. Any university that’ll judge you for that isn’t the right the university for you.
“Medical classes” in high school aren’t really what “premeds” need, although they typically lead to technician or nurse assistant positions. Getting CNA or EMT certified will be useful regardless of your goals (PA, NP, OT, MD, DO…)
If what you’re interested in is Premed in order to get into med school, what you need as a HS preparation that sets you up for the best possibilities of success:
1° AP Calc (Ab is fine), AP Chem, AP Bio (+ if you can AP English, AP Spanish)
2° a variety of volunteering experiences
If you’re a premed in college, you’ll take 1 semester each of calculus, statistics, sociology, psychology, biochemistry, neuroscience/cognitive science, and 2 semesters each of biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, English (especially Writing/Communication). You’ll have to rank in the top 10-20% in every class you take and choose a major where you can shine, it can be anything (Russian, Economics, Computer Science, Philosophy, Music…)
I agree with @MYOS1634
Your first priority should be AP Calc, AP CHem and AP Bio.
Then volunteering (as an EC but mostly to let you know if you like working in a medical setting)
Then, for electives, take a “medical class”. You may find you love Anatomy and Physiology or you hate classes where you have to memorize.
It depends, those classes typically prepare you for a job. Seeing you want to be premed, take the classes above posters mentioned, or take DE.