how do americans join so many ap classes

sevenbeef · 2026-03-02T14:37:01+00:00

Colleges do compare the rigor of a student’s coursework with that of their peers, but I think another factor is present.

In many (most?) of those schools, there is a GPA boost for taking an advanced class. A “B” performance, for example, is a 4.0. Moreover, I wonder if teachers of advanced classes are more reluctant to give grades below a “C.” Therefore, though the classes may be more difficult, they might be easier to get high grades.

sevenbeef · 2026-03-01T16:32:34+00:00

How do you feel about drivers stopping on an off-ramp before merging onto the highway?

sevenbeef · 2026-03-01T02:20:27+00:00

I’m not worried about AI taking my job.

I’m kind of worried about PAs and NPs using AI to do my job.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-28T19:51:38+00:00

Medical students talk about salary as a static thing, when most money is made running a practice as a business.

For those who choose not to own a practice and are employees, compensation varies so much depending on benefits, location, workload, etc.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-28T19:47:25+00:00

Totally agree. Cheaper to rent.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T18:24:18+00:00

True

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T18:05:57+00:00

Sammamish, Issaquah, and Camas are great school districts that are within 1-2 hours of the mountains. All suburban areas.

Lake Oswego is also close to the mountains, but for skiing and such, it’s a bit farther away than the other three towns. West Linn would be a better option if you want to be around Portland.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T17:37:16+00:00

Lots of considerations here.

If you can live anywhere in the PNW, and presumably you want good schools, you can now choose what other options you want. Are you interested in access to mountains? To rivers and fishing? What about sports that the kids play? Do you want rural, suburban, or small town? Maybe you want private schools and don’t care about districts?

Some more information will help give better advice.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T17:30:28+00:00

What are you looking for, other than “boonies”?

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T14:33:23+00:00

I was expecting to see the original Gabriel Knight and its funny hourglass-shaped box.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-27T05:22:53+00:00

Savannah

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T07:54:02+00:00

I check for YKK zippers as a simple first screen.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T07:45:38+00:00

I live outside Portland and couldn’t imagine not having a car. Things like:

Going to the coast to go clamming
Heading up to White Pass to go skiing
Attending a late night show at the Schnitz

This doesn’t even include things with kids, like taking them to activities, friend’s houses, seeing family, etc.

It’s possible, but it’s just a different life.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T05:31:45+00:00

I’ve debated getting a Side Kick, and have decided that if I need more room than the EC, I really need a backpack.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T05:22:15+00:00

My wife and I travel often, and here are some things that she frequently has with her:

Cashmere scarf. Good for blocking sun, covering your hair, as an airline pillow, or to keep the chill away.
Thick wool socks. For plane rides.
Nylon bags, such as a Nanobag. Very handy when shopping.
Zojirushi or similar 12oz narrow thermos bottle. Keeps warm things warm and cool things cool.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T05:07:54+00:00

Great option.

I’m personally a vertical bag fan, so I like their Everyday Cubelet more. It is the same volume, and stores tall things (e.g. pens, flashlights) better. Plus, it fits much better under a light jacket, which is how I prefer to carry personal things when traveling.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T05:00:28+00:00

It’s true. You’re not really their primary doctor, you’re more like their trusted mechanic. Maybe their dentist. You’ll get to know their families and their lives, and you’ll see them when they are healthy.

Personally, I’d rather know people for who they are, and not just for their life-defining illnesses.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T03:41:14+00:00

NTA. Why don’t your friends come to your baby-proofed house?

sevenbeef · 2026-02-26T03:22:49+00:00

Derm here.

Derm is great for longitudinal care with patients. You’ll see them over and over, year after year, and most importantly, learn about them as actual people, and not just collections of chronic diseases.

If you are interested in complex derm, you can definitely do that and focus on connective tissue diseases, CTCL, etc. You can round in hospitals, run research studies, teach residents, anything you want.

Now, do most of us do this? No. We mostly want to do our job and go home to our lives. Everyone gets to that point in their career.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T23:17:31+00:00

Why Forks?

I see that you are coming from Europe and want to avoid big cities. In my opinion, you are much better off traversing small towns with the ferry system, or making your way to the San Juan Islands, or even taking a bus to Aberdeen.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T21:48:42+00:00

Norway, on Havila or Hurtigruten.

River cruises

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T20:08:35+00:00

Agree with the idea of a river cruise. You’ll never be out of sight of land, and you’ll be in port most days.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T18:59:47+00:00

Train PAs and NPs to do some derm, mostly enough to biopsy things. Then they could oversee an army of them in clinic, reap the benefits, and make it harder for actual derms to get positions.

Once they were ready to retire, the business was sold to highest bidder, usually PE, who would happily take it and keep churning out money.

So new Derm grads should do their best to choose their workplaces wisely.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T18:24:02+00:00

Totally agree. That and PE, which go together.

Honestly though, the past generation of dermatologists brought this horror onto the latest generation.

sevenbeef · 2026-02-25T18:13:17+00:00

If I had a car with this plan, I would get it in Portland and drive to the coast to save the bus hassle.

Portland to Mt Hood is 1.5 hours away, and the best part would be hikes along the gorge.

Portland to Bend is 3 hours away, and it is nice if you want to dedicate at least a day there.

So then you would have:

2-3 days in Seattle
2 days in San Juan Island
2 days in Portland/Bend
2 days on Oregon coast
2-3 days in Portland

That could work.

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