Math requirements?

[Ranowa]

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I know, to be safe, you should have a semester of calculus and a semester of statistics. I've got one semester of multivariable calculus (took AP calc BC in high school), no stats, and I was wondering how important it would be to have a stats class for my application. I'm a neuroscience and music performance double major; with everything else I have to take, freeing up even three hours in my schedule just one semester would be a godsend. I really want to write my thesis without taking max hours on top of that, but the only way to accomplish this is by not taking stats. I'm getting mixed answers about this from my school's random collection of premed advisors; will having one semester of advanced calculus but nothing of stats be a serious detriment? (Don't mention summer classes; all my calculations for hours ALREADY include summer classes).

 

[eteshoe]

I suggest you take at least one stats class. Maybe as a tech elective for the neuroscience major.

 

[JustAPhD]

Taking stats will help you in more ways than just checking a med school box.

 

[deleted577188]

Taking stats will help you in more ways than just checking a med school box.

Lol if you say so. I'm glad you got something out of your stats class.

 

[JustAPhD]

Lol if you say so. I'm glad you got something out of your stats class.

I took a biostats class which has proven quite useful when analyzing data. YMMV.

 

[samac]

Take stats.

And also remember that not all med schools will accept AP credit for a pre req, so you may still have to take calc.

 

[Ranowa]

Take stats.

And also remember that not all med schools will accept AP credit for a pre req, so you may still have to take calc.

I took multivariable in college. I just included that AP remark to show why I'd skipped straight to calc III in college; I know med schools don't take APs.

So the consensus seems to be to take stats. Sigh. There went my one semester I could've not taken max/over max hours in all of college. This double major was the worst idea I have ever had. Thanks guys

 

[md-2020]

I took multivariable in college. I just included that AP remark to show why I'd skipped straight to calc III in college; I know med schools don't take APs.

So the consensus seems to be to take stats. Sigh. There went my one semester I could've not taken max/over max hours in all of college. This double major was the worst idea I have ever had. Thanks guys

Most med schools DO take AP credit, actually. Even big boys like HMS. Only a few don't. Also many med schools don't even require math. I think you have more than enough already (AP BC + multivariate)

 

[el_duderino]

I had to do some long division on a test today.

It was pretty brutal.

 

[medbunny56]

I have a similar question

I took a semester of stats, a quarter of precalc and a quarter of calc

Is that enough for MD schools?

 

[md-2020]

I had to do some long division on a test today.

It was pretty brutal.

Funny (sad) story about this actually. Third grade me never bothered to learn long division, and to this day what I cannot do in my head remains undone 🙂

I have a similar question

I took a semester of stats, a quarter of precalc and a quarter of calc

Is that enough for MD schools?

Yes

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

I don't think there are that many schools that require stats. (At least for me, only 2 schools out of the 15 I applied to.) Some schools do recommend it. If you really can't fit it into your schedule, I don't think it's a huge deal, although be aware that it may keep you out of a few schools.

I don't think you should bank on this but some schools are willing to be somewhat flexible in their requirements. For example, I was accepted to a school that requires calc. I applied without it and planned to take it before matriculation. When I contacted the school, they gave me other math courses that I could take instead (including stats).

 

[justadream]

Funny (sad) story about this actually. Third grade me never bothered to learn long division, and to this day what I cannot do in my head remains undone 🙂



Yes

Late is better than never!



Only takes 2 minutes to learn this critical life skill 🙂

 

[virchow?]

To my surprise, I absolutely loved my intro stats class. If you have time/interest (which sounds like you may not based on your double major comment), I would recommend a course that covers regressions! It is so helpful to be able to understand regression tables, particularly if you're interested in research that doesn't involve bench work. 🙂

 

[samac]

Most med schools DO take AP credit, actually. Even big boys like HMS. Only a few don't. Also many med schools don't even require math. I think you have more than enough already (AP BC + multivariate)

A lot do, but it's definitely not all. I had AP credit for English and had to go back and went back and took English class for 2 of the schools I applied to.
I'm definitely not saying if people have AP credit that they can't use that for medical school, but people need to be aware that their AP credit may not be accepted depending on where you're applying, and to always know your target schools.

But I missed that OP. You should be good to go on math if you can't take statistics, but I was honestly very glad to have a foundation when we went into research methods and biostats for our last block last semester.

 

[md-2020]

A lot do, but it's definitely not all. I had AP credit for English and had to go back and went back and took English class for 2 of the schools I applied to.
I'm definitely not saying if people have AP credit that they can't use that for medical school, but people need to be aware that their AP credit may not be accepted depending on where you're applying, and to always know your target schools.

But I missed that OP. You should be good to go on math if you can't take statistics, but I was honestly very glad to have a foundation when we went into research methods and biostats for our last block last semester.

For sure. I just wanted to make sure OP is aware that AP credit isn't like universally ignored or anything even close to that.

I'm also quite salty that I didn't know this in UG, took 3 semesters of math/stats, and got knocked off the summa cum laude range 😛 Call it a friendly grudge against my advisor, if you will haha

 

[eteshoe]

I took multivariable in college. I just included that AP remark to show why I'd skipped straight to calc III in college; I know med schools don't take APs.

So the consensus seems to be to take stats. Sigh. There went my one semester I could've not taken max/over max hours in all of college. This double major was the worst idea I have ever had. Thanks guys

Hey I know the feeling but it comes with the territory. Once I declared my double major (and associated minors), I was taking 21+ credits/quarter til graduation. It sucks but if you survive, you come out a better student with very good study and time management skills.