help! very, very bad at math

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sally2400

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hey all
I graduated undergraduate with a 3.85, then worked for several years before going to grad school and never took math, because well I am awful at it. I am considering med school but am terrified by the idea of having to take two semesters of mathematics.....any thoughts? advice? also because I think physics is a requirement as well, and that involves some math (*I am a super liberal arts major)

if I take a math class with the words "elementary school mathematics" or "basic mathematics" in the title....will med schools care?
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if your not good at math. take statistics..
easy class
and take something like algebra or something..
not too difficult.

in fact most times you dont even need 2 semesters of math..
 
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sally2400 said:
hey all
I graduated undergraduate with a 3.85, then worked for several years before going to grad school and never took math, because well I am awful at it. I am considering med school but am terrified by the idea of having to take two semesters of mathematics.....any thoughts? advice? also because I think physics is a requirement as well, and that involves some math (*I am a super liberal arts major)

if I take a math class with the words "elementary school mathematics" or "basic mathematics" in the title....will med schools care?
Click to expand...

You won't escape a math requirement by taking stats. Physics and general chemistry also generally include a massive amount of calculations. Often they are not that difficult, but you need a working knowledge of algebra at least. Other tricks with logs, natural logs and the like you can pick up as you go.

These equations do not go away. There was plenty of math today on my exam in mol bio/biochem
 
Stixman28 said:
You won't escape a math requirement by taking stats. Physics and general chemistry also generally include a massive amount of calculations. Often they are not that difficult, but you need a working knowledge of algebra at least. Other tricks with logs, natural logs and the like you can pick up as you go.

These equations do not go away. There was plenty of math today on my exam in mol bio/biochem
Click to expand...

most peopele have a common knowlege of algebra and trig out of high school..
stat is intrigral for science majors and psychology
 
sally2400 said:
hey all
I graduated undergraduate with a 3.85, then worked for several years before going to grad school and never took math, because well I am awful at it. I am considering med school but am terrified by the idea of having to take two semesters of mathematics.....any thoughts? advice? also because I think physics is a requirement as well, and that involves some math (*I am a super liberal arts major)

if I take a math class with the words "elementary school mathematics" or "basic mathematics" in the title....will med schools care?
Click to expand...

Before going premed I graduated with what probably amounts to less math knowledge than you have. I had to start from like 7th grade level, seriously. And, I said the same thing as you: "I'm horrible at math!" But it was precisely because of that that I enjoy it so much now that I'm much much better at it. Since then, I've taken precalc, calc I and calc II, and have averaged more than an A-.

YES YOU CAN!!!

Zona Pellucida said:
Stats. Pre-Calc.

Done.
Click to expand...

That can be done, but check first with the schools that you're interested in to see if there's any calc requirement.

Also, know that you're still going to have to work very hard in these courses.
 
ishchayill said:
Before going premed I graduated with what probably amounts to less math knowledge than you have. I had to start from like 7th grade level, seriously. And, I said the same thing as you: "I'm horrible at math!" But it was precisely because of that that I enjoy it so much now that I'm much much better at it. Since then, I've taken precalc, calc I and calc II, and have averaged more than an A-.

YES YOU CAN!!!



That can be done, but check first with the schools that you're interested in to see if there's any calc requirement.

Also, know that you're still going to have to work very hard in these courses.
Click to expand...

I took Calc as well but it seems as the majority of schools don't really care. (I never took stats... I just threw out what I thought would be the easiest route in terms of math)

To OP: Math sucks. I hate it. I feel ya. It is totally possible to approach it with a new attitude while making sure you get the help you need from the professors (office hours) and there also many good tools online.
 
Med schools don't care (except the ones that explicitly ask for certain math classes, which is like 6 schools). Stats is where it's at, and that's probably all you need (but make sure you got a solid trig foundation for physics, because I'm guessing you'll be taking algebra/trig based). I got into a top-25 med school with Stats as my only math class.
 
I would start w/ taking a basic math skills test (usu. offered at any CC) and take whatever class they place you in. And although all of the schools I know of accept stats in place of calc, I'd take every math course through calculus if for no other reason than you're nervous about it. No reason to be scared of any academic situation if you want to do something like med school.

And worse case scenario, you get a C (anyone who can put forth the effort to graduate from any university w/ any degree with a 3.8 GPA should be able to put forth the effort to get a C in calculus). And that C will still not deter you from achieving your goal of getting into med school.

Point is, not going to med school because you're scared of math is a sad, sad way to live your life.
 
thanks guys...you are right, it'd be a sad way to live being scared of math. I should take those classes anyway and try (and get lots of tutoring) as best as possible.
 
I hate to say it, but general chemistry also has a LOT of math in it. You aren't going to only encounter it in straight mathematics courses.
 
I hate math also, but found that if you flip your attitude about it, and become enthusiastic to understand it, it is much much easier. I really learn the material when I help someone struggling next to me. I know it sounds crazy, but if you are excited to go to class you will do better, and even like doing HW, a few problems anyway, enough to grasp the concepts.
 
you can do it, sally! you have a 3.85 GPA. there are lots of other posts you can search about taking community college classes and general consesnsus is not to do so. So I would disagrees with some of other posters about taking class at CC, but try to find not very competitive 4 year college where precalc and stats are offered. you will use both a lot! if you absolutely must take class at CC, make sure to take most of other prereqs at 4 year college.
 
OP, nobody is bad at math as far as native intelligence is concerned. You might not be good at it yet, but the idea that math ability is an inborn characteristic is an outdated American "maybe she's born with it" sort of attitude.

It'll take a lot of work on your part, no doubt, but you can do well.
 
redsquareblack said:
OP, nobody is bad at math as far as native intelligence is concerned. You might not be good at it yet, but the idea that math ability is an inborn characteristic is an outdated American "maybe she's born with it" sort of attitude.

It'll take a lot of work on your part, no doubt, but you can do well.
Click to expand...

👍
I am very bad at Chinese. But I think I can get it if I am enthusiastic about it and put in enough work.
 
redsquareblack said:
OP, nobody is bad at math as far as native intelligence is concerned. You might not be good at it yet. It'll take a lot of work on your part, no doubt, but you can do well.
Click to expand...

I used to do well in math up till 9th grade, and then it all went downhill. I can do it...
 
take stats and PRACTICE!!!
 
serenade said:
most peopele have a common knowlege of algebra and trig out of high school..
stat is intrigral for science majors and psychology
Click to expand...
:laugh: Pun...sort of...if you'd have said "calculus is integral for science majors and psychology" then it would have been even funnier.
 
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