Calculus: Is It True?

[idiotpremed]

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I'm highly considering being a medical doctor in the future and am currently following the pre-med track. From what I've read, people have been saying that calculus in some way "looks better to med schools" if you take it. Well, I'm in Pre-Cal right now and it's literally kicking my ass! I'm unable to focus on the concepts but I suspect it's partially due to some serious life problems I'm going through. Math didn't used to be a problem for me but ever since like 11th grade I've wanted to shoot myself in every math class I've taken. I'm considering taking statistics instead of calc because my other grades are all A's and some B's (including bio and chem). I looked it up and most TX med schools don't require calc (if even math) or will take either. I feel like this would be better for my GPA than getting like a D in calculus and torturing myself, but of course I could be wrong. Basically, it's stupid to think that not having calculus would be frowned upon (if it's not required by the school right?)....right?

 

[Doug Underhill]

It's important for calc-based physics, physical chemistry, and most engineering courses. Having a high GPA is more important for med school admissions than having any of these on your transcript.

 

[Cinclus]

I never took "real" calculus (b/c why would I want to do that to myself?). Result? Six MD acceptances. My GPA was great. Don't tank your GPA.

 

[Goro]

Take what interests you, not us.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Unless it's a school that requires calc (and there are fewer of those each yeah it seems) it doesn't matter. Many premeds take statistics instead.

 

[Cinclus]

Unless it's a school that requires calc (and there are fewer of those each yeah it seems) it doesn't matter. Many premeds take statistics instead.

Statistics is infinitely more useful for future docs. Sounds like a great substitution. All math I have done in med school has been basic arithmetic, percentages/fractions, and statistics. I used simple algebraic equations a handful of times.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Statistics is infinitely more useful for future docs. Sounds like a great substitution.

My statistics class was less than useful. I didn't really understand any of it from class. I didn't really get a handle on the concepts until I was analyzing data in a research lab.

 

[Cinclus]

My statistics class was less than useful. I didn't really understand any of it from class. I didn't really get a handle on the concepts until I was analyzing data in a research lab.

Sounds like that particular class was crap...just like mine was in undergrad. A good stats class would be a nice thing to take.

 

[Lawpy]

Statistics is based on calculus but okay.

OP, take whatever you want. Adcoms and schools don't care.

 

[idiotpremed]

Thank you so much to everyone who I replied, especially Cinclus. I actually feel a lot better! 🙂

My next question is I think I'm going to get a D in my precalculus class. The only reason I'm taking it is because I honestly wasn't aware that statistics was an option because the stupid advisors at my school only mention calculus, of which pre-cal is a pre-req obviously.

As for the D, I had a mental breakdown earlier this semester due to almost being homeless which caused me to go through a bout of depression (that I'm still recovering from). I'm not trying to excuse my D but the best way I could try to explain it is that I knew this class was important for my GPA but I felt as though I could not even bring myself to look at pre-cal because math is already associated with negative memories in my mind. Should I even bother re-taking it (since it's not a med school prereq)?

 

[TBV]

Statistics was much more helpful for any math you will have to do in med school

 

[flatbear]

My statistics class was less than useful. I didn't really understand any of it from class. I didn't really get a handle on the concepts until I was analyzing data in a research lab.

intro stats courses don't go deep enough to teach anything all that practically useful. One needs to get into an econometrics or data science course before they start teaching you how to do real regressions that one uses in the real world.

 

[Lawpy]

Statistics was much more helpful for any math you will have to do in med school

intro stats courses don't go deep enough to teach anything all that practically useful. One needs to get into an econometrics or data science course before they start teaching you how to do real regressions that one uses in the real world.

This is what stats is:

I.e. the equation for Student's t-distribution. That much detail, which is vitally important for understanding how inferences work, isn't covered in the intro stats or biostats course

 

[TBV]

This is what stats is:

I.e. the equation for Student's t-distribution. That much detail, which is vitally important for understanding how inferences work, isn't covered in the intro stats or biostats course

Luckily you wont have to do that to interpret results from a primary research article... lets not forget what non-research oriented physicians do...

 

[flatbear]

Luckily you wont have to do that to interpret results from a primary research article... lets not forget what non-research oriented physicians do...

well even if you don't have to do that above, if you want to understand basic regressions, intro stats won't teach you how to read a chart like this. Even a non research oriented physician should have a basic understanding of regressions.

 

[Slave to the Game]

I'm highly considering being a medical doctor in the future and am currently following the pre-med track. From what I've read, people have been saying that calculus in some way "looks better to med schools" if you take it. Well, I'm in Pre-Cal right now and it's literally kicking my ass! I'm unable to focus on the concepts but I suspect it's partially due to some serious life problems I'm going through. Math didn't used to be a problem for me but ever since like 11th grade I've wanted to shoot myself in every math class I've taken. I'm considering taking statistics instead of calc because my other grades are all A's and some B's (including bio and chem). I looked it up and most TX med schools don't require calc (if even math) or will take either. I feel like this would be better for my GPA than getting like a D in calculus and torturing myself, but of course I could be wrong. Basically, it's stupid to think that not having calculus would be frowned upon (if it's not required by the school right?)....right?

I'm in Pre-Cal right now and it's literally kicking my ass!

literally kicking my ass!

Your problems may not just be pre-calculus.

 

[deleted393595]

This is what stats is:

I.e. the equation for Student's t-distribution. That much detail, which is vitally important for understanding how inferences work, isn't covered in the intro stats or biostats course

Dat gamma function in there

*Goes and bashes head against wall due to math PTSD flashbacks*

 

[HybridEarth]

Statistics will be more beneficial to a medical student. I'd recommend taking stats and calc if you have room in your schedule, although most schools only require 1 year of math (calculus or stats).

 

[Lawpy]

Luckily you wont have to do that to interpret results from a primary research article... lets not forget what non-research oriented physicians do...

I mean it's just an application of basic tests sure, which can be done via a stats crash course. But the example listed shows how statistical tests and inferences are derived and how they work.

Besides, many research papers use advanced tests to make a compelling case and it's unlikely an intro stats/biostats can cover that in detail

well even if you don't have to do that above, if you want to understand basic regressions, intro stats won't teach you how to read a chart like this. Even a non research oriented physician should have a basic understanding of regressions.

But understanding regressions involves calculus since the idea is to minimize errors.

Dat gamma function in there

*Goes and bashes head against wall due to math PTSD flashbacks*

Ya i was surprised to see it there and looked at how it was derived. Pretty crazy stuff right there.

But just to make it clear, i'm just saying that stats and calculus aren't separate, taking calc provides a greater understanding and appreciation of stats and the stats covered in an intro course may not be entirely sufficient.

For med school purposes? It's up to you, and intro stats suffices