Harvard HST physics requirement

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xcrunner01

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I'll be applying to MD/PhD programs next year, and Harvard's HST program is one of my top choices. I just found out that the HST division of the medical school requires a year of calculus-based physics (although I know the New Pathway program does not have this requirement). I took a year of algebra-based physics already. What should I do? At my school I could try to take a proficiency test for the calc-based sequence to pass out of those classes. Or I could just suck it up and take the two calculus-based courses, but it seems silly because there would be a lot of overlap with the algebra-based courses I took, obviously...and I have a ton of other classes to take next year, so taking those two extra courses would be tough to fit in. I also can't substitute two higher level calculus-based courses since the prerequisites for any more advanced courses are the introductory calculus-based physics courses.

Does anyone think Harvard would waive this requirement? I will have taken calc 1,2, and 3, diff. equations, and a year of p-chem (which is calculus-based). Does anyone think the year of p-chem would be an ok substitute?

Has anyone had a similar experience, or knows anything about this requirement? Thanks!
 
I'm pretty sure this question was asked in a previous year and the answer was it wasn't a big deal. I think for you especially it really doesn't matter since you have enough related experience. The only way to find the true answer is to contact them.
 
Has anyone had a similar experience, or knows anything about this requirement? Thanks!

I had an issue with a math course requirement...if you make it to a certain level in the process (interview i think? or secondary?) they ask you for all that info and you can say "will complete requirement prior to matriculation"...they won't actually check to see if you fulfill the requirements until after you're accepted so don't worry about it


-j
 
Thanks, Neuronix and j-weezy. I emailed the admissions office, and all I received back was an email saying "Thank you for your interest in Harvard Medical School. All requirements need to be completed prior to matriculation." Not so helpful...I think it was a standard email they use to reply to everyone. But I understand they're busy.

That is good to know that it's not a deciding factor in the secondary/interview process. Thanks for the help!
 
So what ended up happening with this?

I'm in a pretty similar situation. I'm a 4th year chem major now, applying to MD/PhD and HST is one of my top 3 choices. In first year, based on some terrible advice I took 'Physics for the Life Sciences' (algebra based), instead of the standard calc based physics. I got 99% in that course, since then have done really well in 3 semesters of calc based phys chem, and got 15 on the MCAT physical sciences, so I clearly know what I'm doing when it comes to physics.

Will they they be okay with this? I can take 2nd year physics, but it messes with my schedule, so I don't particularly want to just to take it just for one program that I might have a 25% chance of getting into (even though it is an awesome program).
 
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