Non-calculus vs calculus-based physics for MCAT?

[southpawcannon]

I'm looking to knock out Physics I and II soon and want to know would it matter which one I took. Calculus-based seems to be geared towards those going into Physics, engineering, etc. I have no problem with math-tends to be my strength-but if the MCAT doesn't have a great deal of physics problems then I figured I'd settle for non-calc. The university I'm attending lists on its pre-med faq sheet the student can choose either one so I'm pretty certain that it wouldn't really make a difference for med school admissions.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

I minored in math for my bachelors, took algebra based physics during my post-bacc, and got a 12 in the PS section of the MCAT. The PS section on my MCAT had more physics than general chemistry.

Really, the MCAT tests the most basic formulae and a lot of critical thinking. I don't believe one course is significantly better than the other at MCAT prep. Of course calculus and physics go hand-in-hand. Sounds like you won't have trouble with either course, and either way you go you'll get what you need for the MCAT.

 

[hazel16]

I'm looking to knock out Physics I and II soon and want to know would it matter which one I took. Calculus-based seems to be geared towards those going into Physics, engineering, etc. I have no problem with math-tends to be my strength-but if the MCAT doesn't have a great deal of physics problems then I figured I'd settle for non-calc. The university I'm attending lists on its pre-med faq sheet the student can choose either one so I'm pretty certain that it wouldn't really make a difference for med school admissions.

I took non-Calc-based Physics and had no problem with the MCAT questions. The only place I've seen it make a difference was in admissions to a special research track (was it UCSF or Harvard? don't recall). Otherwise, I don't think it matters.