1 year Calculus requirement

[DrDarwin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Some schools to which I have applied require one year of Calculus, but I only have credit for one semester. After taking a placement examination before the autumn semester of my first year, I placed into Honors Calculus II (i.e., second semester Calculus, including integrals, etc.), but I was never given official credit for Calculus I. (Because I didn't take the AB AP exam, I also have no AP credit for the course.) Does anyone know if I fulfill the '1 year of Calculus' requirement? I certainly can't imagine that I would have to enroll in Multivariable Calc to do so. It would also be nonsensical for me to enroll in first semester Calc when I have already completed the second semester.

Although I called one school about this and obtained an official response (I was told that my Calculus status would have no bearing on an admissions decision, but that all accepted applicants would have their credentials examined, and that the Dean of Admissions would need to determine if my math background is sufficient), I am interested to know if anyone else has had any experience with this type of situation.

 

[virilep]

I think each school requires 2 semesters of calc. but If you can contact each school you might be interested, prolly your state schools, and ask them about your credit given by the placement.

 

[twicetenturns]

The two schools I applied to that required the full year, really required the full year. Neither would accept differential equations or linear algebra as substitutes even though they are generally higher level math courses. My guess is that some schools will let you slide and others will make you take AB. I know, it stinks.

 

[DrDarwin]

The two schools I applied to that required the full year, really required the full year. Neither would accept differential equations or linear algebra as substitutes even though they are generally higher level math courses. My guess is that some schools will let you slide and others will make you take AB. I know, it stinks.

I actually called HMS about this (after looking over the requirement checklist I am supposed to bring to the interview), and I recieved the above response. I could try to enroll in Calculus I at a community college now, but that just doesn't make any sense. It seems like I am being penzalized for having taken Caluculus in high school because I never sat for the AP exam 👎.

 

[oniwindu]

I actually called HMS about this (after looking over the requirement checklist I am supposed to bring to the interview), and I recieved the above response. I could try to enroll in Calculus I at a community college now, but that just doesn't make any sense. It seems like I am being penzalized for having taken Caluculus in high school because I never sat for the AP exam 👎.

I'm in a similar situation as you, Dr. Darwin, and meant to get around to calling HMS about this. When I interviewed, it seemed like they were very serious about the 1 year Calc requirement. I took Calc 2 in college because I thought Calc 1 would be pointless and repetitive. I didn't take the AP exam in high school, so I have no formal documentation that I am "competent" in Calc 1 (even though you need Calc 1 background for Calc 2).

Seeing as how the earliest we hear from Harvard is early March, are you even thinking of taking Calc 1 before this time? (ie enroll in a nearby community or extension school Calc 1 course for their Spring semester now) Or are you going to wait until you hear the decision from Harvard? Any other SDN people in this stupid situation?

 

[MedicineBird]

Sounds to me like a good chance to pad your science GPA with an easy peasy class. If you want to have Harvard's seal on your diploma it's a small hoop to jump through in return.

 

[Sansfrontier]

What are some of the schools you are talking about that require a year of calculus? I am afraid I may end up in a similar situation. I took Cal. I and don't plan on taking Cal. 2. unless I come back to school just to take that (which would delay my app. year?).

 

[Mitro]

What are some of the schools you are talking about that require a year of calculus?

Harvard, Duke, and WashU do. I don't know about others though.

 

[oniwindu]

What are some of the schools you are talking about that require a year of calculus? I am afraid I may end up in a similar situation. I took Cal. I and don't plan on taking Cal. 2. unless I come back to school just to take that (which would delay my app. year?).

Not having completed this requirement should not delay your app year. These requirements are to be completed PRIOR to matriculation, not prior to applying. So you can take the courses you need while you are applying. Don't delay for another year because of a class or two!

Stupid HMS and CALC! And no, taking Calc won't pad the BCPM GPA. I don't think changes to my AMCAS app would make a difference at this point. My application is considered complete and the HMS admissions will make a decision based on what I already have in my file post-interview. Seriously, doing well in one class AFTER the fact won't do an applicant any good if the med school won't even be using it for making a decision. And this is any med school, not just HMS.

 

[MedicineBird]

Not having completed this requirement should not delay your app year. These requirements are to be completed PRIOR to matriculation, not prior to applying. So you can take the courses you need while you are applying. Don't delay for another year because of a class or two!

Stupid HMS and CALC! And no, taking Calc won't pad the BCPM GPA. I don't think changes to my AMCAS app would make a difference at this point. My application is considered complete and the HMS admissions will make a decision based on what I already have in my file post-interview. Seriously, doing well in one class AFTER the fact won't do an applicant any good if the med school won't even be using it for making a decision. And this is any med school, not just HMS.

So you're saying sending an update letter telling them you've completed the calc req. is a bad thing? How wouldn't that help? If they're sitting on a fence about you anything can help push them over it. You never know.

 

[AxlxA]

So harvard, duke, and washu will take AP exam credits for the calc requirement right? I took AB and BC got 5's on both so i skipped it in college. Took multivariable, linear alg/diff eqn, and Analytical theory to calculus in my college year. i hope they wont mind me doing that instead. I was almost a math major... but that theory class killed me.

 

[Siggy]

What about schools on the quarter system? I have 2/3 of a year of calculas and 1/3 of statistics.

 

[DrDarwin]

I'm in a similar situation as you, Dr. Darwin, and meant to get around to calling HMS about this. When I interviewed, it seemed like they were very serious about the 1 year Calc requirement. I took Calc 2 in college because I thought Calc 1 would be pointless and repetitive. I didn't take the AP exam in high school, so I have no formal documentation that I am "competent" in Calc 1 (even though you need Calc 1 background for Calc 2).

Seeing as how the earliest we hear from Harvard is early March, are you even thinking of taking Calc 1 before this time? (ie enroll in a nearby community or extension school Calc 1 course for their Spring semester now) Or are you going to wait until you hear the decision from Harvard? Any other SDN people in this stupid situation?

How did you fill in the requirements checklist? I am not sure exactly how to proceed. I am almost certain I could not enroll in Calc I now that I have completed an advanced Calc II class at a satisfactory level. Similarly, I would probably not be allowed to enroll in Spanish I after completing Spanish II, III, and IV. If worse comes to worse, I may have to check out a Calc book at the library and study for the next AB AP test...

 

[Mitro]

So harvard, duke, and washu will take AP exam credits for the calc requirement right? I took AB and BC got 5's on both so i skipped it in college. Took multivariable, linear alg/diff eqn, and Analytical theory to calculus in my college year. i hope they wont mind me doing that instead. I was almost a math major... but that theory class killed me.

I'd imagine you'd have nothing to worry about. 😛

 

[oniwindu]

So you're saying sending an update letter telling them you've completed the calc req. is a bad thing? How wouldn't that help? If they're sitting on a fence about you anything can help push them over it. You never know.

Whoa, dude, talk about being literal! Please, calm down!

I'm not saying update letters are bad. I've already sent update letters to many schools, HMS being one of them. Therefore, sending an update letter again might not be very effective. At any rate, I doubt the lack of Calc 1 will make a difference in the yay/nay/waitlisted decision on their end. I think adcoms probably care more about your interview, MCAT, GPA, EC's, at this point, rather than a matriculation requirement that can be easily fixed if an applicant were to be admitted.

If we have graduated from undergrad., is it possible to take the AP Calc test? Is this what some people were discussing in the earlier posts?

 

[oniwindu]

How did you fill in the requirements checklist? I am not sure exactly how to proceed. I am almost certain I could not enroll in Calc I now that I have completed an advanced Calc II class at a satisfactory level. Similarly, I would probably not be allowed to enroll in Spanish I after completing Spanish II, III, and IV. If worse comes to worse, I may have to check out a Calc book at the library and study for the next AB AP test...

I just wrote down the calc classes that I DID take during undergrad, which is just Calc II. So on the checklist, I basically only have one semester of Calculus.

 

[MedicineBird]

Whoa, dude, talk about being literal! Please, calm down!

I'm not saying update letters are bad. I've already sent update letters to many schools, HMS being one of them. Therefore, sending an update letter again might not be very effective. At any rate, I doubt the lack of Calc 1 will make a difference in the yay/nay/waitlisted decision on their end. I think adcoms probably care more about your interview, MCAT, GPA, EC's, at this point, rather than a matriculation requirement that can be easily fixed if an applicant were to be admitted.

If we have graduated from undergrad., is it possible to take the AP Calc test? Is this what some people were discussing in the earlier posts?

trust me -- I'm calm. I didn't know you'd already sent an update-you didn't mention it. My comment about that was just that it can only help you. I guess my point is you are going to have to complete the course before you matriculate anyway (per HMS in response to my email asking this same question). You may as well just get it over with-- assuming you have a good hunch you'll get in.

On another note -- maybe you shouldn't ask for advice if you're just going to be snippy about the responses you receive -- just a thought.

 

[DrDarwin]

trust me -- I'm calm. I didn't know you'd already sent an update-you didn't mention it. My comment about that was just that it can only help you. I guess my point is you are going to have to complete the course before you matriculate anyway (per HMS in response to my email asking this same question). You may as well just get it over with-- assuming you have a good hunch you'll get in.

On another note -- maybe you shouldn't ask for advice if you're just going to be snippy about the responses you receive -- just a thought.

I called the Admissions Office some time ago and was informed that each applicant's credentials would be reviewed after--and this is important--being accepted. If completed courses are not deemed satisfactory by the Dean of Admissions, the proper remedies must be made. I was not told that every person who has ever been in a similar situation has been required to enroll in Calc I, although that may in fact be the case. The decision may vary with the applicant.

 

[oniwindu]

I called the Admissions Office some time ago and was informed that each applicant's credentials would be reviewed after--and this is important--being accepted. If completed courses are not deemed satisfactory by the Dean of Admissions, the proper remedies must be made. I was not told that every person who has ever been in a similar situation has been required to enroll in Calc I, although that may in fact be the case. The decision may vary with the applicant.

Thanks, that's very helpful. I vaguely remember this being said during interview day. No use worrying anymore. I should probably work on finishing all fin aid filing for schools during downtime at work. SDN is horribly addictive.

trust me -- I'm calm. I didn't know you'd already sent an update-you didn't mention it. My comment about that was just that it can only help you...On another note -- maybe you shouldn't ask for advice if you're just going to be snippy about the responses you receive -- just a thought.

I don't want to start a "you started it!" thread. Things have already been hectic as it is. I think we just misinterpreted what the other said and it all came to some big misunderstanding. I thought that you took my post a little too negatively, likewise my replies to your posts were thought of as "snippy" from your perspective. I know our original intent on this thread was to be helpful to SDN-ers; let's keep it that way, regardless of how we personally interpret attitude/tone through typed posts. Wish you luck with the admissions process!

 

[MedicineBird]

I don't want to start a "you started it!" thread. Things have already been hectic as it is. I think we just misinterpreted what the other said and it all came to some big misunderstanding. I thought that you took my post a little too negatively, likewise my replies to your posts were thought of as "snippy" from your perspective. I know our original intent on this thread was to be helpful to SDN-ers; let's keep it that way, regardless of how we personally interpret attitude/tone through typed posts. Wish you luck with the admissions process!

ok -- truce...... you started it 😉