PCO or NESCO

[jc812]

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The MATH thread got me thinking some more about just how much I hate calc!

How many PCO or NESCO applicants that did not take Calc get in (or not), and what were your stats?

Accepted?
Age?
Gender?
GPA overall?
GPA science?
Shadow/work hours?
OAT scores?
anything else?

I'm just seeing what my chances are of getting into those schools, even if calc is highly recommended.

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[eyelectric]

The MATH thread got me thinking some more about just how much I hate calc!

How many PCO or NESCO applicants that did not take Calc get in (or not), and what were your stats?

Accepted?
Age?
Gender?
GPA overall?
GPA science?
Shadow/work hours?
OAT scores?
anything else?

I'm just seeing what my chances are of getting into those schools, even if calc is highly recommended.

Any feedback is appreciated!

I'm actually kind of surprised that all the schools (except 2) require calculus. From what I've heard you don't really need it in optometry school (correct me if I'm wrong). Not only that, but just taking Calculus 1 is nowhere near enough calculus to be able to apply those concepts to real world applications. If the schools don't require it, even if they highly recommend it, I think your chances would still be good if the rest of your stats are good...just my 2 cents.

 

[rallthenamesgon]

I'm actually kind of surprised that all the schools (except 2) require calculus. From what I've heard you don't really need it in optometry school (correct me if I'm wrong). Not only that, but just taking Calculus 1 is nowhere near enough calculus to be able to apply those concepts to real world applications. If the schools don't require it, even if they highly recommend it, I think your chances would still be good if the rest of your stats are good...just my 2 cents.

I agree with his 2 cents🙂

 

[jc812]

Thanks.. I've decided that I would broaden my Optometry School spectrum by trying to take Calc at a CC. 🙁

 

[Canadian26]

Im not really sure why any proffession requires basic Calc either...majority of med/dent/pharm etc. programs require it, and ive never figured out why really.

 

[eyelectric]

Im not really sure why any proffession requires basic Calc either...majority of med/dent/pharm etc. programs require it, and ive never figured out why really.

I guess its just one of those proverbial hoops that schools like to make everyone jump through...😕

 

[daysend85]

Calc is frequently required to indicate whether or not you are capable of learning new and difficult material. As far as I can see, that's the only reason.

 

[cpw]

Calc is frequently required to indicate whether or not you are capable of learning new and difficult material. As far as I can see, that's the only reason.

exactly, calculus knowledge provides skills in abstract thinking, problem solving, and knowledge application. Good things for docs to know! It's not really the material, it's the thought process.

 

[eyelectric]

exactly, calculus knowledge provides skills in abstract thinking, problem solving, and knowledge application. Good things for docs to know! It's not really the material, it's the thought process.

Good point...I wasn't really thinking about it from that angle. I actually use calculus in my current profession (somewhat) so I was only thinking about it in terms of applicable material. It definitely does provide a good foundation for critical thinking and problem solving.

 

[hfpepperbean47]

That is what an undergraduate degree (and courses, such as calculus for the purpose of this thread) is. Its not so much about the material, its learning a thought process and being able to apply that thought process to any kind of subject material that comes your way. Which, for one, is why it doesn't matter what kind of undergraduate degree you have before going to a graduate/professional degree program. Do you need to know the basics of the subject matter that you will be studying (optometry, for example)? Yep. But its mainly the thought process that will help throughout, not prior knowledge that a person will most likely forget between undergraduate and professional school. There may be people out there who will disagree with me and argue that its nearly imperative to have a science background in order to pursue an optometry doctorate but its not. Lets not get into that argument because its been beaten to death in other threads.

Anyway...

I will just finish by saying the process of learning calculus is the most important (reiterating what others have said) because it is very abstract subject matter. It makes you think in different ways and that can only help. I would really suggest taking it keeping all of this in mind. I've forgotten most of my calculus (only really remember derivatives) but I still remember vividly that spark when "I got it" and that will never go away. You all know the proverbial "lightbulb" that goes off and know how good it makes you feel.