Course Difficulty - Factor in Admissions?

[medhopefull]

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I'm currently an undergraduate, choosing courses for freshman year. The thing is, my school offers two different series in Math and in Physics. Generally, one of the series is geared towards the life sciences/nonsciences and the other is for scientists(chem or physics)/engineers, which is considered slightly harder.

Would med schools prefer for students to be in the harder series? 😕

 

[geneticclone]

Maybe a little bit, but not enough to make me want to take the harder courses.

 

[ryandote]

If you can get an A in either course with relatively the same effort: take the harder course.

If taking the more difficult course will result in a grade that is at all lower than if you had taken the easier course: take the easier course.

If you could get an A in either course, but it will take more effort in the harder course: my advice is that the "harder course" is not worth much to adcoms. I wouldn't be willing to spend an extra hour each week.

Above all, rock that GPA.

 

[LizzyM]

Given the two choices you've outlined, take the course designed for the life sciences.

If the choice had been between two series both of which were geared for the pre-health profession students, then the better choice would have been the more difficult of the two.

 

[KrispyKreme]

med school admissions rewards the easier route. take the easy physics and get an A and forget about challenging yourself with the harder course.

 

[SeventhSon]

what is your major? Do you have any interest in possibly doing a chemistry, engineering, or physics major? If not, take the Math10 and Physics1 series, unless you really are interested in these subjects.

The difference between these courses in the eyes of a med school admissions committee is so small it is definitely not worth the "risk" if you perceive there is one.

I was in a similar situation 5 years ago so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.