<p>The way I’ve understood it, CC classes mostly “look bad” if they’re for med school requirements (a year of bio, a year of gen chem + lab, a year of orgo, a year of physics) because the goal of taking them is usually to take an easier class to get a higher GPA. Perhaps this is why honors classes could have a slight potential to “look good,” because they usually mean taking a harder class and still maintaining a high GPA, albeit with a B in organic chem instead of an A. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine Calc II (which isn’t even a requirement except for some schools like Harvard and Hopkins and a few more that I can’t think of right now) at a CC would be a deal-breaker for you. </p>
<p>Why do you think physics at your school would “look bad”? Is it because you’ll be a sophomore? If that’s the case, then realize that all the pre-med requirements usually aren’t met until junior year, and that you’re DEFINITELY not expected to have everything done by the end of freshman year. For example, I took gen chem freshman year, orgo sophomore year, and physics junior year. Sprinkle in a bio class each semester sophomore year and more heavily during junior year and that’s the core of my med school requirements. Right after junior year ended I took the MCAT and now am working on applications. I’ll be a super-junior in a few weeks (senior freaks me out 
). </p>
<p>Even if you were waiting to take physics until your senior year, so what? Then you’d probably take the MCAT at the end of the year and might wait to go to med school until a year after you graduate. Happens all the time. The mean age for first years at one of the schools I’m looking at (my state’s school) is like, 26 (keep in mind you’re 22 when you graduate) and others have starting ages all around mid-twenties.</p>
<p>I’d focus on keeping your GPA as high as you reasonably can (and no, a 4.0 is not reasonable for most people) and finding a great way to volunteer or get some clinical experience under your belt. I found two wonderful physicians to shadow by sending friendly/polite emails to some of the doctors on my school’s hospital’s website, so you could start there if you don’t know anyone. You also might think about volunteering somewhere too–doesn’t have to be healthcare related, but bonus points if it is. Just do something that you enjoy that will show people “Hey, this sharks guy…he really cares about other people, and I can tell that because he’s been volunteering at this agency for this many hours.” I’m sure there are PLENTY of places around you looking for generous help right now.</p>
<p>A quick word about shadowing and volunteering: don’t let it overwhelm you. Make it a priority when you can (ie, if you have nothing to do on Wednesday afternoons, then add shadowing for a few hours to that day) but don’t feel super obligated to it (ie, whoever your physician is will understand that you can’t come in the day before a big test). Same goes for volunteering. Set it up so that you can come in regularly for awhile to get your feet wet and figure out how the place works, then see if you can come in on a more flexible basis. I’ve structured most of my experiences this way and the fact that none of my responsibilities stress me out as a result has been incredible. I have premed friends who just really let this stuff eat them up and take up ALL of their time…but that’s not for me and I really hope it’s not completely necessary. </p>
<p>Just do what you can and do your best. You have plenty of time to figure it out! No need to stress about med school just yet. Save summer before super-junior year for that :)</p>