Not placing into Calc

[ebno]

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Hey guys, I'm working on my freshman schedule and I didn't place into Calculus I, rather Trig which is right below Calc. I'm just curious as a clueless person how that's going to affect me. I know Calc is a requirement at some med schools as well as physics which is often Calc based. When would I end up taking this class as well as Stats? Sorry if this is an obvious question, I'm new to all this. The rest of my schedule is just Gen Chem I + Lab, Gen Bio I + Lab, and a First Year Seminar.

 

[chunkyfilms]

Most med schools do not require calculus. Some require statistics and it is more useful than calc. Many med schools require 1 year of college of level mathematics. Calc based physics is not required for med school as algebra based is what you'll be tested with on the MCAT. You will need to take Calc if you take the calc based physics.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Don’t worry about calc few schools require it (and it seems like it’s less and less each year.
If you are admitted to a med school that requires calc you can just take it over the summer before you matriculate.
If you want to take calc, go for it. Do well in trig and take calc next semester. It can be challenging but, if you are mathematically inclined it can be a lot of fun.
However what can come in really handy is a background in statistics.

 

[ebno]

Most med schools do not require calculus. Some require statistics and it is more useful than calc. Many med schools require 1 year of college of level mathematics. Calc based physics is not required for med school as algebra based is what you'll be tested with on the MCAT. You will need to take Calc if you take the calc based physics.

Don’t worry about calc few schools require it (and it seems like it’s less and less each year.
If you are admitted to a med school that requires calc you can just take it over the summer before you matriculate.
If you want to take calc, go for it. Do well in trig and take calc next semester. It can be challenging but, if you are mathematically inclined it can be a lot of fun.
However what can come in really handy is a background in statistics.

Thanks, I guess I'll see how I do in trig and go from there. I've generally done better with stats in high school, though, so I'm glad to find out I can feasibly avoid calculus.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Hey guys, I'm working on my freshman schedule and I didn't place into Calculus I, rather Trig which is right below Calc. I'm just curious as a clueless person how that's going to affect me. I know Calc is a requirement at some med schools as well as physics which is often Calc based. When would I end up taking this class as well as Stats? Sorry if this is an obvious question, I'm new to all this. The rest of my schedule is just Gen Chem I + Lab, Gen Bio I + Lab, and a First Year Seminar.

You got off lucky. As stated above calculus is required by only 15% of the MD schools and virtually none of the DO schools. An up to date list of schools requiring calculus is in the MSAR. The only reason to take calculus is if your state medical school requires it, otherwise take the trig and take statistics. If it is required, take it as a senior. Take algebra based physics. If you have to take a chemistry placement exam, take a dive. Avoid honors classes. Save your time for research slavery and pointless volunteering.

 

[Blanky]

Aside from calc basically not being required, I would say its likely beneficial to take the basic math on up to calc and boost the science GPA.

 

[ebno]

You got off lucky. As stated above calculus is required by only 15% of the MD schools and virtually none of the DO schools. An up to date list of schools requiring calculus is in the MSAR. The only reason to take calculus is if your state medical school requires it, otherwise take the trig and take statistics. If it is required, take it as a senior. Take algebra based physics. If you have to take a chemistry placement exam, take a dive. Avoid honors classes. Save your time for research slavery and pointless volunteering.

Well I don't have a state of residence right now because I'm an American living in Europe but I'm going to college in a WWAMI state. I'm assuming the requirements for that are the same as the requirements for UW School of Med and as far as I understand 2 semesters of physics eliminates the calc requirement.

 

[Obnoxious Dad]

Well I don't have a state of residence right now because I'm an American living in Europe but I'm going to college in a WWAMI state. I'm assuming the requirements for that are the same as the requirements for UW School of Med and as far as I understand 2 semesters of physics eliminates the calc requirement.

You need to manufacture a state of residence. It might even be worth your while to drop out of school for a year to get state residency some place. You need to be careful, however, about each state's rules and policies about residency for med school admissions purposes.

I would advise you to look at this table: https://www.aamc.org/download/321502/data/factstablea20.pdf

Look at the states whose average GPA and MCAT among their matriculants fall below the national averages. If you can make a plausible case for residency in one of those states then do it. Two great states for residency are Michigan and Ohio. The average GPA and MCAT for both of those states fall below the national average and each state has a boatload of state owned MD and DO seats. If you are going to school in Montana, you might be able to get into one of the University of Washington campuses as a Montana resident if you play your cards right. Good luck.

 

[ebno]

You need to manufacture a state of residence. It might even be worth your while to drop out of school for a year to get state residency some place. You need to be careful, however, about each state's rules and policies about residency for med school admissions purposes.

I would advise you to look at this table: https://www.aamc.org/download/321502/data/factstablea20.pdf

Look at the states whose average GPA and MCAT among their matriculants fall below the national averages. If you can make a plausible case for residency in one of those states then do it. Two great states for residency are Michigan and Ohio. The average GPA and MCAT for both of those states fall below the national average and each state has a boatload of state owned MD and DO seats. If you are going to school in Montana, you might be able to get into one of the University of Washington campuses as a Montana resident if you play your cards right. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice, I'll consider it.

 

[atomi]

My opinion is that every college educated person should take math up to a minimum of the calculus level. Calculus is a high school course. There is no reason you can't do well in it. It changes the way you think and you'll be a smarter person because of it.

 

[ebno]

My opinion is that every college educated person should take math up to a minimum of the calculus level. Calculus is a high school course. There is no reason you can't do well in it. It changes the way you think and you'll be a smarter person because of it.

I'm not against that argument by any means, I took Latin for a few years for the sake of improving my way of thinking. I hadn't thought of that in the context of calculus, though.

 

[drbatsandwich]

Just because you didn't place into Calculus doesn't mean you can't eventually take it. You have years until you apply, which gives you plenty of time to take all your prerequisite classes. It may not be required by most schools, but it is usually recommended. Don't do the bare minimum.