What should I take as a 4th science class in high school?

<p>I am graduating a year early from high school. 4 science credits are required. I am taking Pre-AP Biology I this year, and next year (sophomore) I will be taking both Pre-AP Chemistry I and Pre-AP Physics I. Junior year is skipped. In senior year, I will have to decide between taking AP Biology II, AP Chemistry II, and AP Physics II. I have decided that I am going to become a doctor (it won't be a problem for me getting into med school) and, although I know that I should only choose a specialty after doing rotations in each one, I have already chosen radiology (I don't know if it will influence the 4th science decision or not). I like the problem-solving and highly diagnostic nature of the work (I know all doctors do this, but radiologists moreso), less patient contact than other physicians (I enjoy seeing people, I just am taking some cues from other doctors in the family) , and working with technology (I am an avid tech-guy, I build computers and robots and enjoy programming). So, which science should I take as my last? In the case that I cannot take what you suggest, list the other two in order of which I should take and please explain why. Thanks a lot :)</p>

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Right :rolleyes:</p>

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This is like a 3rd grader deciding what to major in during college. You can’t really “choose radiology” at this point.</p>

<p>It really doesn’t matter which science you take in high school. That will affect your medical career about as much as the color of your shoes will affect how high you can jump. Take whichever one(s) you are weakest in to give you a stronger grounding in them. The classes, I mean, not shoes.</p>

<p>It won’t be a problem for me getting into med school because I have so many relatives that have gotten in and my grades are on par or better than theirs when they were in my position. Two of them were accepted to the same school, meaning that I would have a higher chance than a normal applicant at that school if I applied. </p>

<p>I have chosen radiology. You said I can’t but I did. It doesn’t make sense to tell me I can’t after I already have. And it is in no way like “a 3rd grader deciding what to major in during college” because a third grader is not at a level of maturity yet to look toward the future, and if that third grader is, that third grader is very lucky. I analyzed the job description of all of the medical specialties and radiology stood out to me very clearly. Of course, I have many years to change my mind, and I already stated that my decision is not concrete. Thank you for your input. :)</p>

<p>Only if they are first degree relatives is that connection likely to affect your ability to get into school. Getting the same freshman high school grades as someone else who got into medical school got years ago is not a good predictor of successful admission into medical school. To list a few confounding factors, there’s differences in school difficulty/quality, differences in grade inflation over the years, differences in maturity, and the fact that there is an automatic cap on success (Meaning you can’t go higher than an A+, so it really doesn’t stratify you. Would you agree that every kid with a 4.0 is equally smart/determined/talented?). You’re going to get your head bitten off over your attitude, be prepared. Quite honestly, a 3rd grader and a 9th grader really are not that much different when it comes to the ability to plan for the long term future, don’t argue with me on this developmental psychiatric theory says so :D. Definitely don’t close yourself off to other options. Even if you end up happy in medicine why not see if something else would make you happier? You sound like engineering might be more up your alley anyways. Radiologists don’t do a lot of building or programming, maybe bioengineering?</p>

<p>To answer your question, see what class interests you at that point and choose then. Flexibility, not rigidity, is the key to a successful plan.</p>

<p>Engineering is really more about the math than the actual technology. Plus, I don’t want a cubicle job, nor a job in front of a computer screen, unless that computer screen is a workstation that costs thousands of dollars that can show me high resolution Xrays as I make a diagnosis :D</p>

<p>Radiology is a cubicle job. I added some more to my response so you might want to reread it. Also, bioengineering is different than general engineering.</p>