Originally, I was going to be a biology major and go on to med school as my parents wished, but starting junior year, I began to realize how little interest I have in pursuing a career in health science and that it was never my own dream. I realized that when we did a few calculus-based physics problems on the first few days of school in my junior AP Physics 1 class that I truly love physics and how it explains the universe and so much more. Eventually I got out of all of the health science stuff I was in and moved on, but it took me until senior year to defy their expectations.
The problem is that all of my ECs are in the health care field, along with an internship and career and tech courses in it. I know it will probably look bad, but is there any way to remediate this? Every time I’m asked what I’ve done to help towards a career in physics on an app or something, I only have the answer of 2 years of physics, and they’re algebra-based physics classes.
I know you’re looking at MIT, so I’d join something, just anything, and spend a lot of time working through more physics projects that interest you. I think it should be alright for you to drop at least one EC and replace it with physics. During your interview, explain the sudden change AND why you think that the MIT Physics department will help you achieve your goals. If you can, try for the US Physics Olympiad. Even if you fail (like I did with NACLO, lol) it’ll show that you are willing to devote your time to the subject.
MIT, like a lot of selective colleges, is big on exploring your passions. Just explain your situation.
Hope this helps!
btw, sorry if this posts 80 times, the Post Comment button is being obstinate.
@awesomepolyglot Here’s the problem: there are no physics ECs at my school. There are engineering ones for engineering students only and that’s as far as it goes.
Do you have the time or resources to create one, or could you even join one online? And I’m sorry your school doesn’t have any physics clubs or competitions. If Physics Olympiad is run like Linguistics, you should be able to participate without the support of a club.
Do you have the time or resources to create one, or could you even join one online? And I’m sorry your school doesn’t have any physics clubs or competitions. If Physics Olympiad is run like Linguistics, you should be able to participate without the support of a club.
Do you have the time or resources to create one, or could you even join one online? And I’m sorry your school doesn’t have any physics clubs or competitions. If Physics Olympiad is run like Linguistics, you should be able to participate without the support of a club.
What you need is math and sci ECs; it doesn’t specifically have to be physics. If possible, something there where you are highly challenged and collaborate as a team. Make the most of what you can, this semester. But yes, explain the change. Done well, you can sound enthusiastic. How the other “health care” ECs carry weight for a possible physics major depends on what they were.
UIL competition is the only thing we have at our school for that, and it’s independent study and in April or something like that.
I did Health Occupations Students of America (extemporaneous writing), an internship at a nursing home, and volunteering at a nursing home, which again, don’t really help my situation much.