how strict is Harvard HST Math Requirement?

[barcamdphd21]

Hello everyone,

HST program states that students should be comfortable with upper levelmathematics through diff equations and linear algebra. Is this really a strictrequirement?

It goes on to say that students demonstrate this through classes or other approaches. What other approaches would demonstrate how comfortable you arewith differential equations? Can a physical chemistry class that involveddifferential equations be used ?

The reason I am asking is that I already graduated but I never took anydifferential equations.

I would really appreciate any comments or information on the matter.

FYI, I already emailed the hst office but I have not gotten any reply yet.

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[kpcrew]

"In addition, the HST curriculum requires that students be comfortable with upper-level mathematics (through differential equations and linear algebra), biochemistry and molecular biology."

I'm not sure where the ambiguity lies.

 

[barcamdphd21]

"should be confortable" is very different from saying you must take or are required to take a class.
It also goes on to say that you can demonstrate this by either taking a class or other aproaches. If you don't take the class, what are some of the aproaches you can use? How do you interpret this?

Thanks for the reply and the help

 

[kpcrew]

What are you even trying to argue? It's obvious from your description that you don't fit the requirement.

 

[NKChemEng]

Hello everyone,

HST program states that students should be comfortable with upper levelmathematics through diff equations and linear algebra. Is this really a strictrequirement?

It goes on to say that students demonstrate this through classes or other approaches. What other approaches would demonstrate how comfortable you arewith differential equations? Can a physical chemistry class that involveddifferential equations be used ?

The reason I am asking is that I already graduated but I never took anydifferential equations.

I would really appreciate any comments or information on the matter.

FYI, I already emailed the hst office but I have not gotten any reply yet.

Obviously they want you to have taken those courses. One could argue that you could get in while being that one exception, but why would you want to apply to a very competitive program and hope to get in as an exception?

 

[chronicidal]

it's not very strict. you should apply if you have a generally rigorous undergraduate science record and significant research experience.

 

[gettheleadout]

it's not very strict. you should apply if you have a generally rigorous undergraduate science record and significant research experience.

Unlike the typical student who is competitive at Harvard (NP)? 🙄

 

[ncrassa]

Ditto what chronicidal said. Not only is the math requirement not all that strict, but as one of the current students told us during the interview day, they don't even use advanced mathematics in the curriculum.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Ok hands down, to be competitive you must have saved 7 (NO LESS) babies from each continent, plus have a 4.1 (yes you must break out of the 4.0 range, too many people get it), Have a 45 MCAT, no less that 10 publications internationally, with EC's being a double agent for North Korea, and beating Michael Phelps Olympic records.
Then maybe, just maybe they'll grant you an interview.
😀 😀

 

[chronicidal]

Unlike the typical student who is competitive at Harvard (NP)? 🙄

I guess it's all relative. but almost everyone in HST majored in a science whereas maybe a third of NP did not. almost everyone in HST should have articulated some goal to go into academic medicine and 80% end up in it, and there are more NP students who are interested in primary care, health policy, global health, public health, etc.

 

[gettheleadout]

I guess it's all relative. but almost everyone in HST majored in a science whereas maybe a third of NP did not. almost everyone in HST should have articulated some goal to go into academic medicine and 80% end up in it, and there are more NP students who are interested in primary care, health policy, global health, public health, etc.

Interesting, mind if I PM you?

 

[barcamdphd21]

Thank you very much to everyone. Just to clarify, I am applying to MD-PhD programs and I am interested in academic research.

 

[chronicidal]

Thank you very much to everyone. Just to clarify, I am applying to MD-PhD programs and I am interested in academic research.

it so happens that most of the MD/PhD students at HMS are in the HST program. interpret how you may.

Interesting, mind if I PM you?

do not mind.

 

[IMSingular]

Hello everyone,

HST program states that students should be comfortable with upper levelmathematics through diff equations and linear algebra. Is this really a strictrequirement?

It goes on to say that students demonstrate this through classes or other approaches. What other approaches would demonstrate how comfortable you arewith differential equations? Can a physical chemistry class that involveddifferential equations be used ?

The reason I am asking is that I already graduated but I never took anydifferential equations.

I would really appreciate any comments or information on the matter.

FYI, I already emailed the hst office but I have not gotten any reply yet.

Calculus based phyisics class might do it, that is that will demonstrate that you understand linear algebra as well as differential equations. HST program looks very impressive. Good luck.