Med Schools - advanced statistics or intro to stats? Need advice.

[Drandall92]

I know lots of medical recommend statistics. However, does anyone know if med schools have a preference on the type of statistics class? I haven't been able to find any medical school that has specified. I'm debating between STATS 1040 (intro to stats) which seems like the most basic stats class and STATS 3000 (statistics for scientists) which is calculus based and a more difficult and time intensive course. If medical schools show no preference, I would much rather take the easier course so I could focus my free time on other things. Anyone have any advice or knoweldge on the matter? Thanks for your help!

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[bee17]

I doubt they care.

 

[Drandall92]

As long as it is math or specifically science leaning stats. Some schools have balk at psych or social statistics. Take the basic course, the advanced course will not gain you anything towards admissions

Hmmm alright. If that is a case, maybe I will just take the introductory course. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[takeurmeds02]

I've never taken a stats class...ever.

 

[Tenk]

I've never taken a stats class...ever.

You should have. Or at least educate yourself on statistics. They are useful for the both the practice of medicine and finances. It was one of the few college courses I actually use in medicine.

@op: choose the easier one. If you enjoy it you can always learn more later on.

 

[osckey]

I know lots of medical recommend statistics. However, does anyone know if med schools have a preference on the type of statistics class? I haven't been able to find any medical school that has specified. I'm debating between STATS 1040 (intro to stats) which seems like the most basic stats class and STATS 3000 (statistics for scientists) which is calculus based and a more difficult and time intensive course. If medical schools show no preference, I would much rather take the easier course so I could focus my free time on other things. Anyone have any advice or knoweldge on the matter? Thanks for your help!

Ya, I was the idiot who took the calc 1 to calc 2 route instead of stats 1,2 because I thought it would be more impressive.

Don't do that (unless you have a interest in math).

 

[fantasty]

I doubt they'd really discount a "real" intro stats course in psych or social science as long as it still was a real stats course (granted, I have seen some stats courses that were basically "understanding statistics in the world we live in" - I wouldn't call that a real quantitative stats course). But, agree with the others - an introductory, applied statistics course (for scientists, public health, business) is the best choice. There is not practical benefit in taking a calculus-based stats course - unless you're planning on some higher engineering or PhD research. The important part is learning the foundations of statistics and probability so that you can understand and interpret medical literature (and apply the basic skills to evidence-based medicine)

 

[takeurmeds02]

You should have. Or at least educate yourself on statistics. They are useful for the both the practice of medicine and finances. It was one of the few college courses I actually use in medicine.

@op: choose the easier one. If you enjoy it you can always learn more later on.

I did extensive research over my years in UG so I had to become pretty familiar with the basics. Plus it's tested on the new MCAT.