Calculus at HES

[NY Musicologist]

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I'm considering doing a postbacc at HES. I see from the website that one year of calc is required for committee sponsorship (in addition to the core requirements). I won't have time this coming fall to take a full slate of courses, but I can definitely handle one, and I might as well get the calc out of the way.........

Problem: my last math class was high school pre-calc, 10+ years ago. I wasn't terrible at math back then, but I definitely lacked confidence.

Question(s): are Math E-15 and E-16 (Intro to the Calculus A and B) the necessary calc cources for HES committee sponsorship? How deadly are they? Would it be possible for me to review pre-calc on my own before entering E-15 this fall, or should I try to take E-8, 9, or 10 first?? Finally, if reviewing on my own *is* a viable option, what resources would you recommend? (i.e., are "Algebra for Dummies"-type books fine, or should I try to get hold of a regular textbook?)

Thanks! 🙂

 

[punkindrublic]

It's not required. They're just saying that for some med schools, calc is a requirement: Harvard, Hopkins, Duke, and WashU are some, but the vast majority don't require or suggest anything beyond something like precalc or stats.

 

[NY Musicologist]

It's not required. They're just saying that for some med schools, calc is a requirement: Harvard, Hopkins, Duke, and WashU are some, but the vast majority don't require or suggest anything beyond something like precalc or stats.

Hm--the website phrasing strongly suggests that calc IS required for committee sponsorship. Maybe this is something I need to clarify with Dr. Fixsen (or whomever is in charge of such matters).

From the website:

"Students should understand that failure to meet any deadline or requirement may delay sponsorship of their application for that year. Students applying after the deadline may be considered for the following year but must continue taking medical sciences courses each term.

HCP reserves the right to limit the number of students it sponsors annually. If a limit is imposed in a particular year, sponsorship is based on the dates students file their applications. Therefore, students are advised to apply as early as possible; they must, however, apply no later than September 29 of the year preceding application to medical school.

In addition to the core prerequisites (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics), students must complete or have completed the following to apply to medical school:

One year of college math (through calculus), a prerequisite for some medical schools.
One year of English. This requirement can be satisfied by taking one expository writing course and one other English course, such as English literature.

Students who have completed the required premedical courses with honors grades during the past three to five years and need to acquire additional credits may wish to take other relevant courses."

 

[punkindrublic]

I've been at HES for two years. Trust me, it's NOT required.

Doing all the core prereqs at HES isn't even required. You can get sponsorship with as few as 20 hours of courses, which comes out to five semesters of classes, and basic prereqs require eight (excluding calculus).