Harvard Calculus Requirement

[HAWKDDS2014]

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Hi everyone, I'm aware that on their website, Harvard states that they require two semesters of calculus. Does anyone know if they are very, very strict about this or if they are willing to make any exceptions.

I have taken Calc 1, but based upon my schedule for the next couple of semesters I don't think it's feasible for me to take the second course.

 

[LaFleur]

Hi everyone, I'm aware that on their website, Harvard states that they require two semesters of calculus. Does anyone know if they are very, very strict about this or if they are willing to make any exceptions.

I have taken Calc 1, but based upon my schedule for the next couple of semesters I don't think it's feasible for me to take the second course.

I'm pretty sure that if you get in you'll have to take all of the requirements a school requires sometime before you matriculate. Why don't you apply, see whether you get in, and think about taking it over the summer if you really don't have time to take Calc 2?

 

[flapaTron]

Hi everyone, I'm aware that on their website, Harvard states that they require two semesters of calculus. Does anyone know if they are very, very strict about this or if they are willing to make any exceptions.

I have taken Calc 1, but based upon my schedule for the next couple of semesters I don't think it's feasible for me to take the second course.

calc II is easier than calc I in my experience.

 

[HAWKDDS2014]

calc II is easier than calc I in my experience.

My concern is that the calc requirements at my school are a little strange....as a bio major, I was required to take 1 semester of calc mainly for bio majors that covers much of the material from calc 1 and calc 2 in 1 semester. (It just covers the main points and is much less in depth, doesn't have the trig functions, etc.) I received an A+ in this course and it was 5 units, but if I want to take the two-semester calculus series, my school will force me to drop the grade I already received and then take the "REAL" calc 1 and calc 2.

 

[LaFleur]

My concern is that the calc requirements at my school are a little strange....as a bio major, I was required to take 1 semester of calc mainly for bio majors that covers much of the material from calc 1 and calc 2 in 1 semester. (It just covers the main points and is much less in depth, doesn't have the trig functions, etc.) I received an A+ in this course and it was 5 units, but if I want to take the two-semester calculus series, my school will force me to drop the grade I already received and then take the "REAL" calc 1 and calc 2.

You could take calc 2 at a different school? As I said, if you really don't have time for it take it where it's easy and over the summer.

 

[BU2012]

I'm accepted at Harvard and I'm missing Biochem and Calc II. However, when I got my acceptance letter, the only course they specified I still needed to take was Biochem. I have taken two semesters of calculus, but it was basically the same course at two different schools for two different requirements, and one was pass/fail (although I did get a 94 in it). Maybe they counted it? I'm a little nervous to bring it up...

 

[BobLoblawDDS]

I'm accepted at Harvard and I'm missing Biochem and Calc II. However, when I got my acceptance letter, the only course they specified I still needed to take was Biochem. I have taken two semesters of calculus, but it was basically the same course at two different schools for two different requirements, and one was pass/fail (although I did get a 94 in it). Maybe they counted it? I'm a little nervous to bring it up...

If that's what your acceptance letter says, run with it. Congrats and enjoy the rest of your year!

 

[Bereno]

I'm accepted at Harvard and I'm missing Biochem and Calc II. However, when I got my acceptance letter, the only course they specified I still needed to take was Biochem. I have taken two semesters of calculus, but it was basically the same course at two different schools for two different requirements, and one was pass/fail (although I did get a 94 in it). Maybe they counted it? I'm a little nervous to bring it up...

Dang! really? I didn't apply there just because I would not be able to fulfill the Calc requirement lol. Congrats on the acceptance!

 

[HAWKDDS2014]

Thanks for your input!
I'm curious to see the personal experiences of anyone else if they may have any regarding this situation.

 

[Kahr]

I'm accepted at Harvard and I'm missing Biochem and Calc II. However, when I got my acceptance letter, the only course they specified I still needed to take was Biochem. I have taken two semesters of calculus, but it was basically the same course at two different schools for two different requirements, and one was pass/fail (although I did get a 94 in it). Maybe they counted it? I'm a little nervous to bring it up...

You should bring it up, it would be better to be clear now then have it bite you in the ass later (this situation was actually presented to me as an ethics question during my UW interview). You were prepared to take Calc 2 if necessary anyway, right? Congrats regardless of what you decide to do, hopefully you don't have to take that calc class.

 

[veggieheadgeek]

A good friend of mine now in her second year at Harvard received acceptance contingent upon her completing a second semester of calculus. She took it over the first summer session at a local college, sent the transcript to Harvard, an entered in the fall with the rest of the class.

 

[zzyyfff]

Current HSDM student here. Being a small private institution, they are definitely more flexible/dynamic than some of the larger schools. I had not fulfilled all of the requirements, but wrote them a professional, cogent letter explaining why it would be better for me and better for them if they waived the requirement.

I'm here and loving it and I did not have to take an additional class. YMMV. =)