To take Calc or not to take Calc...

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So I don't need calculus for my major, and I wouldn't say math is my strong suit (not bad, just not the best). My question is two part, should I take Calc to have on my transcript, and if so should I take trig or Calc based physics?

Originally Posted by DillonW09

So I don't need calculus for my major, and I wouldn't say math is my strong suit (not bad, just not the best). My question is two part, should I take Calc to have on my transcript, and if so should I take trig or Calc based physics?

Take one semester of calc and one semester of statistics, if math isn't your strong point. This should satisfy the req's of most schools.

Your second question is irrelevant. If you like trig or calc based physics, take it. Otherwise, don't.

Some schools require a year of math. I'd also recommend taking statistics. It will help you in the long run.

If you're not really that stellar in math, go ahead and take non-calc based physics. No need to stress yourself out.

Just take calculus. I don't know how I would feel about myself if I didn't know what a derivative and an integral were.

Originally Posted by sliceofbread136

Just take calculus. I don't know how I would feel about myself if I didn't know what a derivative and an integral were.

Here's a summary list of math requirements for most medical schools. If math isn't your strong suit, avoid calculus based physics. Adcoms won't be particularly interested in which type of college level physics you took as long as you performed well in it.

Just take Calculus. Use khan academy for things you don't understand...seriously it only took an hour or so to get used to the idea of basic limits and derivatives.

How does it make sense to tell someone who isn't the best at math to take calculus? I am the same as OP with math, thought I needed to take calculus and it killed my science gpa. OP, statistics is helpful, but if u feel like you could screw up your science gpa by taking calculus, don't do it! Of you feel confident enough to get an A or B, then go for it. Take it from someone who's science gpa got tanked because of it. Some people are good at math; some are not. It's not worth risking your gpa over. You will need a year of math though. As a result of not taking calculus, be aware that there are a few schools u will not be able to apply to (a few in the top 10 and Cali state schools), but if you are ok with that then don't worry about taking Calc.

Originally Posted by sliceofbread136

Just take calculus. I don't know how I would feel about myself if I didn't know what a derivative and an integral were.

You're also an engineer.

OP, take calculus, if anything it will help you be significantly more proficient in algebra because you'll forget everything except the power rule and how to do simple integrals. God knows if I can even use the chain rule now and it's only been about two years since I took it.

Originally Posted by weezynation

How does it make sense to tell someone who isn't the best at math to take calculus? I am the same as OP with math, thought I needed to take calculus and it killed my science gpa. OP, statistics is helpful, but if u feel like you could screw up your science gpa by taking calculus, don't do it! Of you feel confident enough to get an A or B, then go for it. Take it from someone who's science gpa got tanked because of it. Some people are good at math; some are not. It's not worth risking your gpa over. You will need a year of math though. As a result of not taking calculus, be aware that there are a few schools u will not be able to apply to (a few in the top 10 and Cali state schools), but if you are ok with that then don't worry about taking Calc.

This.

Originally Posted by weezynation

How does it make sense to tell someone who isn't the best at math to take calculus? I am the same as OP with math, thought I needed to take calculus and it killed my science gpa. OP, statistics is helpful, but if u feel like you could screw up your science gpa by taking calculus, don't do it! Of you feel confident enough to get an A or B, then go for it. Take it from someone who's science gpa got tanked because of it. Some people are good at math; some are not. It's not worth risking your gpa over. You will need a year of math though. As a result of not taking calculus, be aware that there are a few schools u will not be able to apply to (a few in the top 10 and Cali state schools), but if you are ok with that then don't worry about taking Calc.

I lived by the same exact sentiment, until I realized that practically most schools require it, and every school in texas (my state) wants it.

OP, if you're not all that confident with it, then just save it for your last year of undergrad (make sure the rest of the pre reqs are done though).

Originally Posted by Stumpyman

I lived by the same exact sentiment, until I realized that practically most schools require it, and every school in texas (my state) wants it.

OP, if you're not all that confident with it, then just save it for your last year of undergrad (make sure the rest of the pre reqs are done though).

I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. Of the 30 schools I chose to apply to this summer (without checking to see if Calculus is required), none of them require Calculus. After choosing the schools I wanted to apply to, I realized it would be best to check if they require Calculus considering I did not get a C in the course. Check out the MSAR. There are more schools that recommend Calc, but only a handful that require it. Even Harvard has changed its policy on requiring calculus. Like I said, a few top schools, cali state schools, and apparently texas state schools too. So if OP is from cali or texas, maybe it's a good idea to take it if he/she wants to apply to state schools. If OP is not from texas or cali, there is not point in taking it.

OP: Do you want to go to a school that requires calculus? That should be step 1 in your decision process. If the answer is no, you can get away with a semester or year of statistics.......But, Calculus is more interesting in my opinion. Everyone should learn basic calculus. It's pretty cool. You don't need to take a class to learn it though.

Originally Posted by weezynation

I'm pretty sure this is incorrect. Of the 30 schools I chose to apply to this summer (without checking to see if Calculus is required), none of them require Calculus. After choosing the schools I wanted to apply to, I realized it would be best to check if they require Calculus considering I did not get a C in the course. Check out the MSAR. Even Harvard has changed its policy on requiring calculus. Like I said, a few top schools, cali state schools, and apparently texas state schools too. So if OP is from cali or texas, maybe it's a good idea to take it if he/she wants to apply to state schools. If OP is not from texas or cali, there is not point in taking it.

I just went by this: http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.e...ts%2010_11.pdf

Maybe some of them aren't as strict with the requirement?

Most OOS schools are secondary to TX residents anyways, so people there pretty much have to take calc.

Originally Posted by Stumpyman

I just went by this: http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.e...ts%2010_11.pdf

Maybe some of them aren't as strict with the requirement?

Most OOS schools are secondary to TX residents anyways, so people there pretty much have to take calc.

That list appears to be accurate with the exception of Harvard because they just recently changed their policy. On that list, outside of the Texas and Cali state schools, the vast majority of the Calculus is "recommended," not "required." For someone like me who isn't the best at math, the difference between recommended and required means everything. I was uninformed as a freshman and thought Calculus was a requirement for all schools, so I took it which was unfortunate. Thank God I did well in all my other science classes or otherwise I would not be in a position to apply to medical school.

Originally Posted by JESSFALLING

OP: Do you want to go to a school that requires calculus? That should be step 1 in your decision process. If the answer is no, you can get away with a semester or year of statistics.......But, Calculus is more interesting in my opinion. Everyone should learn basic calculus. It's pretty cool. You don't need to take a class to learn it though.

Not trying to be combative or anything, but I am curious as to why you feel everyone should learn basic calculus? I am completely unaware of the benefits that it could have to a student in medical school considering I was so terrible at it.

Originally Posted by weezynation

That list appears to be accurate with the exception of Harvard because they just recently changed their policy. On that list, outside of the Texas and Cali state schools, the vast majority of the Calculus is "recommended," not "required." For someone like me who isn't the best at math, the difference between recommended and required means everything. I was uninformed as a freshman and thought Calculus was a requirement for all schools, so I took it which was unfortunate. Thank God I did well in all my other science classes or otherwise I would not be in a position to apply to medical school.

Lol I hear you. It's my one and only W in college . I was stupid and took it online though, knowing that I don't even know anything about calc. Also a freshman mistake, but I was able to keep a 4.0 otherwise, luckily.

Originally Posted by weezynation

Not trying to be combative or anything, but I am curious as to why you feel everyone should learn basic calculus? I am completely unaware of the benefits that it could have to a student in medical school considering I was so terrible at it.

I agree that it is NOT needed for medical school! I'm just arguing that it's something an educated person in western civilization should consider studying, even if independently, sometime during their lifetime.

Very introductory level calculus might be used in Physiology, but that's about it. You need to know what the concept of differentiation and integration are - you won't be required to do any calculations.

Statistics, on the other hand, will come up very frequently. You can't understand epidemiology, for instance, without stats. IMHO, I can't understand why statistics isn't a pre-med requirement whereas calculus often is.

Statistics, in my opinion, requires less true mathematical ability and more memorization and intuitive understanding.