Excluding a Math-Proofs class from BCMP

[YeOldeMan]

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My lowest grade ever was when I joint-enrolled in a math proofs class. It's sole purpose was to go over logic, proofs, definitions, etc. It wasn't really a miserable grade -- but it has quite a heavy impact on my GPA since it's 4 hours (C+). It could push me over the threshold to a really nice GPA if I could exclude it.
My reasoning would be that it's not really a computational math class, nor is it really a pure math class (I've had plenty of both), but more of a philosophy/thinking class. Anyone ever had one of these before? Anyone know if it would be possible to frame it as something else. I guess one problem undercutting my argument is that it's a 3000-level class in the math dept., but maybe it can be done?

I found this thread, it's a little hopeful:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=78019

But this class is considerably above discrete math, though there is a discrete math course in our math department.

Can you get in trouble for misrepresenting a course? (though, this could be construed as a matter of opinion)

 

[Food]

Good question - I was in a similar bind. I took a class called "numbers and polynomials" which was basically a linear algebra precursor. It was sort of like the way you described - proof based, philosophical, not a math applications class like calc or stat. My gut feeling is that it is not a BCPM class, but I don't know if med admissions people really understand some of the math classes and what they're really about. I avoided the risk and just included it, although I too had a C+ in it.

 

[SoftwareKevin]

I could be wrong, but I have a feeling if the class has a big MATH in front of the number it's going to count. I also took a 300 level proofs class and am under the impression that it would be included since it was offered by the math department.

 

[YeOldeMan]

Good question - I was in a similar bind. I took a class called "numbers and polynomials" which was basically a linear algebra precursor. It was sort of like the way you described - proof based, philosophical, not a math applications class like calc or stat. My gut feeling is that it is not a BCPM class, but I don't know if med admissions people really understand some of the math classes and what they're really about. I avoided the risk and just included it, although I too had a C+ in it.

So there is some kind of risk with misrepresenting it? Is there a punishment?

This class was not really proof based, it was more of a how to think like a proofer class. We wrote some proofs, but not many. Mostly it was logic, how to Englishify math...etc. My Real Analysis class, which was unquestionably math, was almost nothing but proofs. But it was definitely not philosophy and thinking. This class certainly was...and we had a lot of philosophy and CS majors in it.

On another note, I was going to try to sneak in my "Logic and Symbols" Philosophy class into BCMP. Got an A in that, and the syllabus says "Logic and Symbols is a math class". It might undercut my other argument though, and it's worth more to exclude both than to include both.

 

[Omni]

Keep in mind, you won't be calculating your BCMP. AMCAS gets your application and transcript and they do whatever calculations they want to it.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Keep in mind, you won't be calculating your BCMP. AMCAS gets your application and transcript and they do whatever calculations they want to it.

This. AMCAS will calculate your BCPM for you. You can then appeal their classification of it as a math class, but I kind of doubt that they would go by your word or put in the research to verify the contents of the course. Feel free to give it a shot, though.

 

[YeOldeMan]

This. AMCAS will calculate your BCPM for you. You can then appeal their classification of it as a math class, but I kind of doubt that they would go by your word or put in the research to verify the contents of the course. Feel free to give it a shot, though.

You don't have to designate them as BCMP or something?
Is there any retribution for a long-shot appeal?

 

[JJMrK]

You can try classifying it as logic or something, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[GoSpursGo]

You don't have to designate them as BCMP or something?
Is there any retribution for a long-shot appeal?

1) Nope. You list the department they were taught under (which was technically math, regardless of whether you think it qualifies as BCMP). Then when they verify your transcript, they'll go back through and possibly reclassify some courses into being bio, chem, math or physics or (more rarely) out of it; it's much more common for something to be switched INTO BCMP (ex. some engineering or psych classes) than for something to be switched OUT of it, and it's usually a very specific set of classes on a list that they will add to BCMP (for example, a Thermo class in the engineering department). If it's not on their list of courses they commonly reclassify, they probably will leave it as BCMP.

2) As far as I know, I wouldn't know of any retribution, but I don't know if it might delay your application in being forwarded to your schools.