Almost have a math minor... should I go for it/is it even worth it?

[TakoCA]

I'm a biomedical engineering major, so I have to take a lot of math classes. I'm only one class away from getting the math minor, but the problem is that none of the classes left seem interesting or sound like they require a ton of time. I'm just wondering if it's even worth it for med school admissions. If it were two classes or more, I wouldn't even bother, but one class.... hrm...

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[Sicilian]

Please don't tell me the class is linear algebra.

 

[thesauce]

I'm a biomedical engineering major, so I have to take a lot of math classes. I'm only one class away from getting the math minor, but the problem is that none of the classes left seem interesting or sound like they require a ton of time. I'm just wondering if it's even worth it for med school admissions. If it were two classes or more, I wouldn't even bother, but one class.... hrm...

I would say no. Having been in that same position myself (I'm a ChE), I chose to take an additional biology course to round out my education a bit more. You obviously don't need biology or math, so I would suggest taking something like philosophy, medical ethics, or a foreign language. Basically, something that will surprise medical schools when they're reading your application.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I would say no. Having been in that same position myself (I'm a ChE), I chose to take an additional biology course to round out my education a bit more. You obviously don't need biology or math, so I would suggest taking something like philosophy, medical ethics, or a foreign language. Basically, something that will surprise medical schools when they're reading your application.

I would definitely do it. Having one class of something different isn't going to round out anything really, but a minor is a pretty big stamp on your education. And you cant run around saying "well, I was one class away from the minor.."

 

[thesauce]

Please don't tell me the class is linear algebra.

I'm guessing he took linear algebra a long, long time ago. The class in question is probably partial differential equations or some applied mathematics garbage.

 

[thesauce]

I would definitely do it. Having one class of something different isn't going to round out anything really, but a minor is a pretty big stamp on your education. And you cant run around saying "well, I was one class away from the minor.."

True, but anyone who sees that he's a biomedical engineer is going to assume that he's had a ton of math, so getting the math minor isn't going to help him more.

 

[dbhvt]

I would definitely do it. Having one class of something different isn't going to round out anything really, but a minor is a pretty big stamp on your education. And you cant run around saying "well, I was one class away from the minor.."

I disagree. I don't think it is worth it "for med school". Take a class you're interested instead. An admissions committe will look at your transcript and see the math classes you took, and be impressed by those. One more class for a minor isn't going to impress them any more.

In any case, once you get your MD, noone is going to care if you had a math minor. Do your education a favor. Don't take a class you're not interested in just for a label. Undergrad will be over soon. Take that class you always wanted to take but never had time to because of other requirements.

 

[TakoCA]

Hrm, good points. I'll have to give this some more thought.

And yes, I took linear algebra my freshman year. The only math classes left that can satisfy the minor are really advanced ones like applied math or advanced algebra or whatnot.

 

[thesauce]

Hrm, good points. I'll have to give this some more thought.

And yes, I took linear algebra my freshman year. The only math classes left that can satisfy the minor are really advanced ones like applied math or advanced algebra or whatnot.

Neither of those math classes are applicable to medicine or engineering in industry, but you probably already knew that.

Sorry we couldn't make your decision any easier, but I seriously doubt that a math minor (or lack of) would be enough to sway an admissions committee one way or the other.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

I disagree. I don't think it is worth it "for med school". Take a class you're interested instead. An admissions committe will look at your transcript and see the math classes you took, and be impressed by those. One more class for a minor isn't going to impress them any more.

In any case, once you get your MD, noone is going to care if you had a math minor. Do your education a favor. Don't take a class you're not interested in just for a label. Undergrad will be over soon. Take that class you always wanted to take but never had time to because of other requirements.

I think it would be impressive- it shows he went above and beyond the requirements. Maybe it wouldnt have been something to strive for a year ago, with no interest in math- but it's just one class. Substituting it for something else does essentially nothing (in terms of resume), and taking it does something- whether it's worth much can be debated, but it's still something.

 

[rotc]

True, but anyone who sees that he's a biomedical engineer is going to assume that he's had a ton of math, so getting the math minor isn't going to help him more..

I think anything w/ engineering involves a lot of math. So i concur w/ thesauce regarding the math minor having little or no significance to medical schools and the industry world.

 

[Shredder]

I'm a biomedical engineering major, so I have to take a lot of math classes. I'm only one class away from getting the math minor, but the problem is that none of the classes left seem interesting or sound like they require a ton of time. I'm just wondering if it's even worth it for med school admissions. If it were two classes or more, I wouldn't even bother, but one class.... hrm...

just do it so you can say with a clear conscience from that point on that you minored in math. people will think youre einstein. youve put in enough, its only one more, im sure youve gritted your teeth through enough other crap. it probably wouldnt have any bearing on med school admissions, but you shouldnt structure your life around that. i say do it for the fulfillment

 

[tank you]

not sure if its "worth it" or not, but it seems kinda pointless not to do it, just one more class.

 

[ShyRem]

Take applied. I heard it's a fun class (seriously). Abstract algebra sucked. Advanced calc (aka real analysis) sucked the life out of me and made pchem look EASY in comparison.