Pre med math courses

[wifi08]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

i am now in my senior year of college and plan on going to med school. i have a choice to take either statistics or calculus. is one more preferred or required by med schools?

 

[RuseMD]

It really would depend on where you're going to apply and whether they recommend the calculus. I would say though that statistics would definately be a more practical class as far as I've heard. But, look around at the schools you're interested in. Don't destroy yourself if you are only looking at schools who don't ask for the calc. Although, these are just gleaned observations as I'm in the same boat as you. Good luck!

 

[Mayday]

There are more schools that require calculus than those that require statistics I believe.

 

[grassisgreener]

When all else fails check with your counselor. As far as I know I need Calculus II (analytical geometry) for my chemistry/premed. Not super excited about that one.

 

[Mobius1985]

Look at a copy of the MSAR (Medical School Admission Requirements) which should be in the reference section of the library or in the Pre-Health advising office. Check the schools you're interested in and see what you'll really need to take. In the midwest, it seems they usually give you a choice of either one.

 

[atomi]

I don't know how you can properly teach statistics without having had calc II. For that reason, I say take calculus, because any stat you take will be severely dumbed down. To understand statistics, you need to understand calculus.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Take Calc

 

[FlowLimited]

If you're going to choose, choose calculus. Every school that has a math requirement will accept calculus, but they may not accept stats.

 

[wifi08]

bump

 

[linguini]

bump

Bump? Everyone on this post recommended taking calculus.

Statistics is more practical in my opinion, but if schools are going to require a math, it is most likely calculus.

 

[engineeredout]

I don't know how you can properly teach statistics without having had calc II. For that reason, I say take calculus, because any stat you take will be severely dumbed down. To understand statistics, you need to understand calculus.

Calc II? Maybe the calcs in our schools are different but as long as you cover basic rules of integration (which you should in calc I) you should be fine for any statistics course that a non-statistics/math major would take.

 

[hants]

i took stats., and will be taking calc next semester. if your going to be doing any future research projects, or just want to work on your word application type problems, it is good class to take if you can find a nice teacher (very hard for me...i have only had 1 really good math teacher and that was senior year of high school, the rest have sucked immensely)

 

[xrevision]

Some schools require calc and some require stats. Play it safe and figure out your list of schools and check their requirements.