Calculus -Is it worth it?

[NinjaSheep]

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Hey there,
I'm a Freshman level undergraduate in the University of Wisconsin system and I'm currently considering heading into Pre-Dental myself! It seems like an exciting and rewarding career path. However, my one chief worry resides in mathematics... Calculus no less. I've never been terribly capable when it came to math, though I've always somehow managed A's or B's. After nearly a year of not taking any mathematics I've enrolled in an algebra course so that I can hopefully get on track for Pre-Dental. So far things are going fine, but I'm worried about Calculus ruining my GPA and leaving a horrid black mark on my record.

So, here's the crux of my question, should I take Calculus? Would not taking the course ruin my eventual chances of getting into a Dental School? Or is it a non-issue?

 

[DrSmiles12]

Don't take it

 

[Frederico Albin]

I dont know if im sure... but i think some schools require calculus... others statistics.

 

[Dental superman]

Some dental schools like Harvard and columbia do need Calculus....Others may not require taking Calc....either way you need to take Stats though..

 

[NinjaSheep]

There seem to be alot of schools that don't state a requirement for Calculus, but nonetheless, would it be crippling or detrimental not to take the course? I intend to question a Human Biology advisor as soon as I get the chance, but it'd be nice if I had some clue as to Calculus' importance. Despite it not being stated outright that Calculus is required, I worry that not taking the course could hurt my chances of getting into a school. Might it be the sort of thing I'd be passed over because of? Or would the admissions board care less, so long as I'd taken other math courses?

I can't help but notice that you have Marquette in your signature DrSmiles, as that's the school I'd like to go to since it's relatively close to where I live (Sheboygan, Wisconsin). Did you take Calculus yourself?

 

[blankguy]

If you want to keep all the options open take calculus. If you don't do too well then it may get buried by your As and Bs from other courses.

 

[Regmata]

I don't think many schools require calculus and I didn't know that statistics was was required at all...If you are good at it or enjoy it, take it. If not, then don't worry about it.

 

[toofshucker]

It's not worth it. It may prevent caries, but it causes perio.

 

[SHC1984]

Calculus I and II are required for some schools...Part one isn't bad...its part II that sucks. 👎

I dont know if im sure... but i think some schools require calculus... others statistics.

 

[blankguy]

Calculus I and II are required for some schools...Part one isn't bad...its part II that sucks. 👎

Tell me about it. Derivatives suck!😡

 

[SHC1984]

Power series expansions suck the most! 😡 Buts hard to avoid those two classes b/c its required if you are a chem major and if you are a bio major it might be required as well...

Tell me about it. Derivatives suck!😡

 

[doc toothache]

Hey there,
I'm a Freshman level undergraduate in the University of Wisconsin system and I'm currently considering heading into Pre-Dental myself! It seems like an exciting and rewarding career path. However, my one chief worry resides in mathematics... Calculus no less. I've never been terribly capable when it came to math, though I've always somehow managed A's or B's. After nearly a year of not taking any mathematics I've enrolled in an algebra course so that I can hopefully get on track for Pre-Dental. So far things are going fine, but I'm worried about Calculus ruining my GPA and leaving a horrid black mark on my record.

So, here's the crux of my question, should I take Calculus? Would not taking the course ruin my eventual chances of getting into a Dental School? Or is it a non-issue?

There are only a handful of schools that list calculus as a required course. Since you have a long way to go, obsessing over taking or not taking calculus is probably not warranted. One negative effect of not taking calculus is that you will not be able to take calculus based physics, which is a requirement for chemistry, engineering students and others. If calculus is the only course you feel may ruin your GPA, rest assured that you will be way ahead of the pack.

 

[usernametaken]

Hardly any schools require calc, so take it only if you think it would be worthwhile for you otherwise.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

If the school accepts you and they have a calc requirement, they will tell you to take it before class starts. That is what Stony Brook told me.

 

[blankguy]

Power series expansions suck the most! 😡 Buts hard to avoid those two classes b/c its required if you are a chem major and if you are a bio major it might be required as well...

I hear Physical Chemistry is quite an adventure for chem majors. 😛

 

[NinjaSheep]

Thanks for the assistance guys and gals, it's reassuring to know that the course may not be a neccessity to be competetive. And as a few people have pointed out.. if Calculus I is a requirement, well, at least it's not Calculus II!

If the school accepts you and they have a calc requirement, they will tell you to take it before class starts. That is what Stony Brook told me.

That'd be great if that was the case, here's hoping!

 

[SHC1984]

yeah its pretty much the hardest class for chem majors....its the reason why I have 4 Ws on my transcript and why my science gpa isn't a 4.0...🙄

My advise to the OP would be to take Cal I and II...it will make you a more competitive applicant...but so far I only know UNC, Harvard and Columbia requires Cal I and II...I am not sure about the others though...

I hear Physical Chemistry is quite an adventure for chem majors. 😛

 

[AndyK]

My school requires Calculus I, II and III for a Biology major.

...why? 🙁

 

[SHC1984]

that does suck for you....most schools only require Cal I and II for bio majors...
You might as well be a Chem major in that case! 😀😉 we are better! 👍

My school requires Calculus I, II and III for a Biology major.

...why? 🙁

 

[TheWiredNerv]

I was almost a chem major but enjoyed biological research more so there you go.

 

[Californian]

i know that calc is not required for most school?(except Harvard)
and i thought Stats is not required none of the school.... someone said Stats is required?

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Lots of schools require stats.Some schools require calc. Look at the school website that you are applying at to find out.

 

[doc toothache]

i know that calc is not required for most school?(except Harvard)
and i thought Stats is not required none of the school.... someone said Stats is required?

Add Boston and Stony Brook to your list.

 

[Californian]

i was looking at the pre-reqs and most of the school don't have stats. at all... i don't know what u guys talking about.

 

[NewMexDent]

Goodness, doesn't anyone have the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools? It has each schools pre-reqs inside.

If you are wondering whether or not to take calculus you can make a list of schools that would interest you, look up their pre-req info (in the ADEA book or websites) and then you can decide if it's worth it.

If all the schools that you are interested in require calc then you should take it. If none of the schools require calc then don't take it. If most the schools don't require calc but a few do - then either take it, or don't apply to those schools that require calc.

 

[blankguy]

Keep in mind that the OP is a freshman. As long as your overall grades are good but you find yourself in a position where you HAVE to take calculus(university requirements, major, etc...) it won't kill you to get mediocre grades on it (that is despite your best effort). If a major that you are interested requires it then major in that. Also universities have plenty of resources to help you out like tutoring and visit professors in the office hours.

 

[SHC1984]

I have never heard of a stats requirement before...I believe its only Calculus I and II.

Lots of schools require stats.Some schools require calc. Look at the school website that you are applying at to find out.

 

[Californian]

ya this guy does not know what he is talking about.... (no stats!)

 

[jigabodo]

I HATE calculus. I had to take it though, however. It really depends on if you like math or not. If you have to choose between calculus and bio classes I would def. recommend taking the latter.

 

[Worker Bee]

I took calculus before I knew what I wanted to do and got a bad grade. Should I retake it because I don't need it for any schools I was applying to. I was just wondering if it was a good idea to retake it to show I can do better?

 

[CMistry]

Check with your school's Pre-health advisory committee. Some (mine) will not write complied LORs unless you have taken their pre-reqs. For me that included Calc 1. Dental schools prefer those LORs so it's definitley worth working towards.

-Cyrus

 

[tekstyle]

It's not worth it. It may prevent caries, but it causes perio.

haha good one. that's what I was thinking too.

 

[jigabodo]

My school requires Calculus I, II and III for a Biology major.

...why? 🙁

Are you from a UC?