I am having trouble deciding whether to drop physics second semester of senior year. I have been consistently struggling in this class since the beginning and only signed up for the class because “it looks good to UC’s”. I currently have a C in the class despite my best efforts to improve, and will most likely get a C second semester as well if I continue.
The class is very difficult and takes up basically all my free time. It even impacts my other grades. I am always working on Physics so my Calc and AP Psych grades have dropped to from A’s to B’s as well.
Would I be better off dropping the class second semester and earning all A’s in the rest of my classes? I am concerned about this because I do not want to appear as a “slacker” but this class is truly RUINING MY LIFE! My GPA dropped from a 4.3 to a 3.66 all because of this class. I want to scream!!!
Also, I am applying as a Graphic Design/Art major (so basically do I even need Physics?) at the following schools:
-UMich
-UW
-RISD
-UCSD
-UCSB
-CSU Long Beach
-Cal Poly SLO
-UC Davis
-UC Santa Cruz
-Art Center College of Design
-School of Art Institute Chicago
-California College of the Arts
My top choice schools are UMich, RISD, Cal Poly SLO, UW, and Art Center. If dropping physics would impact my chances of getting into any of these I will not be dropping.
HELP ME PLEASE
Because you are applying to so many UC schools I assume you are a California resident. You should talk it over with your GC. Note that if you do drop the class you are required to notify the UC system. See http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/after-you-apply/. If you don’t notify them they will see you dropped in your final transcript and there is a possibility they could rescind your admission
At least for the UC schools, the decision to drop is balancing the risk of being rescinded for not taking a challenging schedule against keeping the class having your GPA senior year drop low enough to be rescinded. You should check on their websites, but I think the UC schools just expect a 3.2 weighted GPA, no more than 2 C grades, and no grades below a C. Your GC should know the rules. And hopefully can give you advice about the other schools.
I have to say I am puzzled why you are having so much trouble in physics if you are taking calculus and getting an A. Most people see calculus as harder. you should look at some of the online resources such as the Khan Academ, your fellow students for help, etc.
Since Michigan is your top choice, I’m wondering if you should post this question in the Michigan forum too. Maybe someone there will have specific experience on this issue.
I agree with the above suggestion to work closely with your GC, especially since you are looking at UCs.
What do your parents think?
If you were in Florida, and my son were in your shoes, I would lean toward dropping. But that’s comparing apples to oranges. You have to look at the big picture. You have worked hard to have a shot at those schools on your list. You don’t want to mess that up. I’m not sure what dropping physics does to your ultimate goal (and maybe it does nothing).
I wanted to ask why you say you are always working on physics? Are you stuck doing the homework? Is the teacher assigning too much reading? A starting point in improving things,should you decide to keep the class, is figuring out what is going wrong.
I am doing physics all the time because my teacher assigns hours of homework although it’s just a regular course and not AP! Even the AP Calc kids in my class have a hard time