I am currently a Freshmen, and I was wondering if it would be better to take calculus 2 or physics 1 for my spring semester?, I will be taking statistics, gen chem 2, integrative biology, and a college sucess class which totals to 13 credits. I can take either calculus 2 or physics 1. I can take physics 1 later too, and I am interested in taking calculus 2 because some medical school and programs like HST require it.
Calc 2 vs Physics 1 for second semester
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AJS59
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Is your physics I Calc or Physics based? And is a lab attached
The bigger assessment here imo is what courses did you take this fall and how did you do? Idk what "integrative biology" is but Gen Chem 2 and Stats is a lot.
Can you do this? Yes. Should you do this? Leaning no, unless you took a hard STEM load this fall and did well with it.
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I agree with @AJ559 . Adding:
What does your academic advisor and prehealth advisor suggest? They will know what "integrative biology" is for this discussion, but I don't think it's relevant for this question.
As a freshman, I will assume you are still undeclared. The answer may be different if you declared a major. In my book, "premed" is not a major, but some schools will have you declare to get access to a dedicated prehealth advisor.
I guess I need to know what schools require calculus 2. You're targeting Harvard...
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Most schools don't require calculus. Most schools strongly recommend statistics.
It sounds like you are trying to shoot for the top as a freshman (BYH, good luck on your finals!). I say this not to discourage you but to help you keep it real. If given the opportunity, algebra-based physics is enough for most medical schools, but calculus-based physics (after you pass calculus) may be needed for your degree. (Again, what does your academic advisor and your prehealth advisor suggest?)
What does your academic advisor and prehealth advisor suggest? They will know what "integrative biology" is for this discussion, but I don't think it's relevant for this question.
As a freshman, I will assume you are still undeclared. The answer may be different if you declared a major. In my book, "premed" is not a major, but some schools will have you declare to get access to a dedicated prehealth advisor.
I guess I need to know what schools require calculus 2. You're targeting Harvard...
Do I need to take Calculus 2 for med school?
I am a pre-med student I just took Calculus I and I got an A. I also took statistics and also got an A. But do I need to take Calculus II for med school or can I just stop taking math courses?
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Most schools don't require calculus. Most schools strongly recommend statistics.
It sounds like you are trying to shoot for the top as a freshman (BYH, good luck on your finals!). I say this not to discourage you but to help you keep it real. If given the opportunity, algebra-based physics is enough for most medical schools, but calculus-based physics (after you pass calculus) may be needed for your degree. (Again, what does your academic advisor and your prehealth advisor suggest?)
Thanks for the reply,
So I'm taking calculus 1, another required college seminar course, Gen Chem 1 w/lab, Sociology, and Medical Terminology. Integrative biology is just Biology 1. My major currently is a bachelors in human biology. So basically, my advisor did say I would have to take physics 2 as well I believe, which is calculus based. Physics 1 is Algebra based and I've taken IB physics in college, but the credits never transferred due to my school not accepting IB. There is an attached lab with the Physics 1. My academic advisor did say that most med schools require 2 semesters of physics as well, and she HIGHLY advises me to take physics 1 and 2 back to back.
Thank you so much for taking your time to read all this.
AJS59
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My follow up question is do Physics 2 and Integrative Biology both have labs? If that's the case, that may add up quickly.
Again, depends on how you do this term but my advice would be to do either physics or biology. Not both, especially if both carry labs. No reason to rush this
AJS59
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Calc 2 is also a hard class, and frankly not necessary for most med schools unless your heart is set on HST or one of the engineering based schools. Again, up to you, but you're still talking 4 stem classes, 2 of which I assume have labs. That adds up quickly.
I know you mentioned the courses you're taking now, but are you excelling in them? Do you have time to dedicate to things outside of the classroom?
I am managing fine currently I believe, and I still have time to attend a few club meetings and mentorship programs. I am attempting to get clinical experience from my sophomore year, since most hospitals around me need me to be 18
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Really depends on how strong you are at math. Calc 2 is notorious for being a weed out course. Like others said, no a lot of med schools require it either besides Harvard and engineering schools like Carle so from a pure numbers perspective, it doesn't make sense to take that risk. If you're set on those schools, then you have your answer. I feel like physics 2 is pretty different from physics 1 in terms of content. I ended up taking them a year apart and found physics 2 easier, so I don't think you absolutely have to take them back to back.
