Pre-D.O and bad at math

[mgruchow]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

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[Mad Jack]

I'm terrible at math myself. I dropped chem my first time around, mostly owing to lack of math skills. Physics in particular killed me, but I kept working at it until it stuck. My recommendation is to do a lot of practice problems before every exam. By putting in some long, hard hours before each test, I was able to recognize common problem types and how to solve them almost reflexively. Despite my lack of math skills, with some hard work, I ended up with all As in my prereqs, save for an A- in physics II.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I won't lie, there is some reasoning for taking a lot of math like calc early in the college career. It makes you extremely good and competent in algebra and thus good at physical science.

Likewise it allows you to take calc based physics which is in my opinion a much better option for Mcat takers.

 

[JDMcNugent]

http://www.aleks.com/about_aleks/co...e=detailed&detailed=gscience1_sumchem#science

My gen chem 2 professor made our class use this website for graded homework which was a huge pain the ass. However, it did help me with reinforcing mathematical concepts and it was one of those things where you couldn't move on to the next problem until you correctly answered 3 questions in a row. I, too, am not great at math and it just takes tons of practice to start to become decent at doing the math work for chem and physics.

Hopefully that link gets you going in the right direction

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

http://www.aleks.com/about_aleks/co...e=detailed&detailed=gscience1_sumchem#science

My gen chem 2 professor made our class use this website for graded homework which was a huge pain the ass. However, it did help me with reinforcing mathematical concepts and it was one of those things where you couldn't move on to the next problem until you correctly answered 3 questions in a row. I, too, am not great at math and it just takes tons of practice to start to become decent at doing the math work for chem and physics.

Hopefully that link gets you going in the right direction

I think these types of question sets are amazing tbh. The reason I did so well in calc 1 was only because we were forced to do the hwk over and over until we got them correct with the numbers shifting around.

 

[Buckeye1992]

I actually went with a B.A. Instead of a B.S. so I could take less calculus classes. There is no point in hurting your gpa with classes you don't need. I also think calc based physics are unnecessary. PS was my best section on the mcat and I took algebra based physics and only math through calc 1

 

[iWillOneDay]

No such thing as pre-D.O.
Whether you are trying to get into an allopathic or osteopathic school, you are pre-med.

 

[tripl3s3v3n]

Do lots of practice problems. I suggest trying to resist the urge to use a calculator as much as possible, after all you don't get one on the MCAT. For what it is worth I have only taken math up to Pre-Calculus level. I'm pretty good with math too, just didn't have the room in my degree to take unneeded math classes.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I actually went with a B.A. Instead of a B.S. so I could take less calculus classes. There is no point in hurting your gpa with classes you don't need. I also think calc based physics are unnecessary. PS was my best section on the mcat and I took algebra based physics and only math through calc 1

Maybe my algebra based physics courses were kinda lame and uninformative. I felt like id rather have taken a harder class but understood how to derive everything as opposed to memorizing everything.

 

[1badz]

Trust me when I say, no matter how much you dislike a subject and THINK you will never be good at it, if you apply yourself enough you will succeed. This is coming from a guy who always disliked math. I aced Calc and 2 semesters of stats (albeit, I busted my butt in calc). It can be done!! All it takes is practice practice practice.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

I suck at math. I spent at least 2-3 hours a day in the math lab when I took Calculus II. I ended up with an A but it took more effort than Bio + Ochem+Biochem combined.

I'm lucky if I can add these days and I made it into a good med school.

 

[radkat101]

Yeah I made C's in Physics and Chem largely due to the math involved ( I was just so sloppy with it). I ended up with a 12 on mcat PS which was my highest subsection. It won't hold you back! Just push through and don't look back!

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Yeah I made C's in Physics and Chem largely due to the math involved ( I was just so sloppy with it). I ended up with a 12 on mcat PS which was my highest subsection. It won't hold you back! Just push through and don't look back!

Any tips?

 

[medickdb]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

Are you familiar with the railroad method?
Here's an example: http://www.katmarsoftware.com/articles/railroad-track-unit-conversion.htm

A lot of physics and chemistry problems can be simplified to what units you need to do the problem to produce the unit you need for the answer.

I've used this method for years in science classes and when I teach med math.

 

[radkat101]

Any tips?

I used the berkely review chem and physics books to prepare. They do a really good job of making you quick at math (lots of neat tricks), and just by going through them a couple times and doing ALL of the problems, it's all you need to do great on PS.

 

[TXKnight]

I may talk heresy, but for chem I, I dare say that if you are not getting the problems right, your math skills are not the issue. This is farly simple math; and I assume yo are proficient at addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, ratios and proportions and basic algebra.
I recommend you really understand the concepts, practice, ad nauseam, how to set up the problems and what they are actually asking you to solve....moles, MW, grams, limiting reagents, percent yields, etc, etc.
Chem two is actually more math intensive; you may need to really sit down and learn some more math.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Trust me when I say, no matter how much you dislike a subject and THINK you will never be good at it, if you apply yourself enough you will succeed. This is coming from a guy who always disliked math. I aced Calc and 2 semesters of stats (albeit, I busted my butt in calc). It can be done!! All it takes is practice practice practice.

Bolded for emphasis. Mastery of math comes through practice upon practice. Personally, I love math, but message still stays the same.

 

[edgerock24]

I may talk heresy, but for chem I, I dare say that if you are not getting the problems right, your math skills are not the issue. This is farly simple math; and I assume yo are proficient at addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, ratios and proportions and basic algebra.
I recommend you really understand the concepts, practice, ad nauseam, how to set up the problems and what they are actually asking you to solve....moles, MW, grams, limiting reagents, percent yields, etc, etc.
Chem two is actually more math intensive; you may need to really sit down and learn some more math.

I agree. Chem 1 is really all about Stoichiometry when it comes to math. 'Simple' unit conversion/dimensional analysis until you arrive at your final answer. Chem 2, in my opinion, is like taking a math class for 75% of the semester. Reaction rates, equilibrium, acids/bases, and ideal gas law calculations can involve lengthy (but not terribly difficult) algebra.

 

[Dr. Zombie]

He better get his math straight. The MCAT is without a calculator and takes no prisoners.

 

[cliquesh]

You rarely have to use math as a doctor. There are calculators for everything.

 

[coolingglasses]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

It's made very little contribution to my med school exams...

I won't lie, there is some reasoning for taking a lot of math like calc early in the college career. It makes you extremely good and competent in algebra and thus good at physical science.

Likewise it allows you to take calc based physics which is in my opinion a much better option for Mcat takers.

... but it could be useful for your undergrad science courses.

No such thing as pre-D.O.
Whether you are trying to get into an allopathic or osteopathic school, you are pre-med.

To be fair, the subforum is basically "Pre-DO." But yeah.

 

[worfndata]

the sooner you start building your math foundation the less regret you will feel when you DO eventually start to build your math foundation. (and you will). If this means starting from basic math (+ - / *), so be it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I'm terrible at math and have math anxiety, this is the main reason I had to repeat my chem and physics classes so many times. I'm so bad I used to have to go to the bank and have them help me balance my check book. It wasn't until I had a great teacher who made physics simple and spending tons of time in math lab and doing problems did I finally get it. I only use math at work calculating dosing for pediatrics medication. Other than that, not much really. Just get through it and you will be ok.

 

[noleknight16]

If you don't like the math in Chem 1, wait till Chem 2...

 

[deleted577188]

Chem 2 is MUCH easier than chem 1, as long as you have your fundamental math principles down. It's no different than the actual math you need for chem 1. But, the material naturally contains *more* math, not harder math.

 

[TXKnight]

Chem 2 is MUCH easier than chem 1, as long as you have your fundamental math principles down. It's no different than the actual math you need for chem 1. But, the material naturally contains *more* math, not harder math.

My experience in chem 1 vs 2 is very different from this. Chem 2 was MUCH harder than Chem 1 at my university...everything from the concepts, the math, to the problems, etc. Also, the material uses more complex math; I mean, just because you can do almost anything by using arithmetic operations doesn't mean it's just more but the same difficulty. I made A's on both, but chem 1 is almost a joke compared to chem 2.

 

[doubletake]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

I rode the math struggle bus all the way through college--failed Calculus I, got D's in Physics I/II. But re-took them and ended up getting A's, probably because I was more mentally prepared the second time around! I would like to mirror everyone else's inputs here and say practice practice practice makes perfect. Once you are comfortable doing a wide range of problems (of all difficulties), you can tackle anything on the tests. The only other time you will need math skills is on the MCAT (trying to do physics problems without a calculator is tough!). GOOD LUCK to you!
Happy to say I will never be using that four-letter word ever again 🙂

 

[Dreamstoo]

My experience in chem 1 vs 2 is very different from this. Chem 2 was MUCH harder than Chem 1 at my university...everything from the concepts, the math, to the problems, etc. Also, the material uses more complex math; I mean, just because you can do almost anything by using arithmetic operations doesn't mean it's just more but the same difficulty. I made A's on both, but chem 1 is almost a joke compared to chem 2.

Same I ended up with a high B+ in chem 2, A in chem 1. Chem 2 was just very difficult and the professor who made most of the exams always made them challenging. I still remember how no one finished our gen chem 2 final and even before our professor graded it he said something along the lines of "i can see all of you guys couldn't finish and were struggling, I will make sure to curve this final." I remember getting like a number grade in the B+ range when in reality i only finished 80% of the exam. My chem 1 exams were easy bar one (I did poorly on one of the midterms) but bounced back on the final. Barely got the A.

 

[Thales]

Folks,

I love science, but unfortunately that love didn't come with the greatest of math skills. I'm in Gen Chem 1 right now and pulling a B, but the math is a killer.

I am seriously worried that I'm too math stupid to be a doctor. I was an English major and have already had a career. So, in some ways I suppose I'm an underdog in this journey.

Am I too dumb to do this? Or are any of you having success in med school or as doctors who struggled with math to the point of tears?

M.

Want to get better at math?
Want to get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice!

 

[TXKnight]

Same I ended up with a high B+ in chem 2, A in chem 1. Chem 2 was just very difficult and the professor who made most of the exams always made them challenging. I still remember how no one finished our gen chem 2 final and even before our professor graded it he said something along the lines of "i can see all of you guys couldn't finish and were struggling, I will make sure to curve this final." I remember getting like a number grade in the B+ range when in reality i only finished 80% of the exam. My chem 1 exams were easy bar one (I did poorly on one of the midterms) but bounced back on the final. Barely got the A.

This reminds me of my first test on organic 1...I got a 72...solid A. Lol. Ended up with B in that class though

 

[Dreamstoo]

This reminds me of my first test on organic 1...I got a 72...solid A. Lol. Ended up with B in that class though

Aha yeah, for my organic 1 and organic 2 classes, a 80+ was an automatic A. Usually 75+ was A-, and 60 - 73 was a B/B+.

 

[touchpause13]

Is there much/any math in med school?

 

[cabinbuilder]

Is there much/any math in med school?

Maybe 2 hours??

 

[touchpause13]

Maybe 2 hours??

Oh thank goodness. I'm also really bad at math.