Q's about pre-reqs

[londongal]

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I don't want to have to take calculus. I have noticed that most schools I want to go to don't require it anyway.

I'm a little confused though...

For physics there are two sequences to choose from. There is engineering physics 1 and 2, and then there is "general physics" 1 and 2. Engineering physics is the harder route, it requres calculus I and II as the pre-req. Of course I really DO NOT want to go this route.

Some schools say they recommend taking the harder versions of the classes when they offer different introductory courses.

What should I do? Is it fine if I just take general physics, which is just algebra based?

Are most of you taking calculus? (I passed "pre-calc")


I'm looking to apply to mostly California schools in 2011/2012

 

[FlowLimited]

It's perfectly acceptable to take the algebra-based physics. I would venture to say that most people do.

 

[londongal]

Thanks.

avoiding calculus=

 

[FlowLimited]

Despite your aversion to math, it may be beneficial to force yourself through one semester of calculus. It'd be a shame to discover a school in the future that you really like, but which requires calculus.

 

[dw2158]

I don't want to have to take calculus. I have noticed that most schools I want to go to don't require it anyway.

really? i thought most schools required a semester of calculus and then a semester of any type of math. but i may be wrong; i had to take calc anyway so i didn't think about it too much.

Despite your aversion to math, it may be beneficial to force yourself through one semester of calculus. It'd be a shame to discover a school in the future that you really like, but which requires calculus.

agreed. calc helps for a lot of stuff as well... it's just another (IMO, easier) way of thinking about things. although many people take algebra-based physics, i actually thought calc-based was easier (took algebra-based in high school and calc-based in college). instead of having to fudge your way around certain things, you could do problems fully and correctly. just my little plug for calculus 😳

 

[Brent8927]

I believe UCLA, UCD, and UCI (possibly UCSD) all require one year, or possibly just one semester of math. Some require statistics as well. Fortunately, you can take these after you're accepted, but before you matriculate, in case you'd really like to delay things...

I've generally been told medical schools prefer you to take the most rigorous course available, when options are available. This would mean taking physics for engineers/scientists over the algebra-based physics.

Personally, as long as you put in the effort, calculus-based physics isn't that bad (for reference, I did TA physics though, so I'm not really representing the average student!). I actually think calculus-based physics might be easier than non-calculus based, since you learn how to derive the equations. You get more of a sense of why things are the way they are, and this helps a lot for the MCAT.

I guess the best thing to do would be to give some of the admissions offices at the UCs a call, and ask them if they have a preference for calculus-based vs. algebra-based physics.

 

[londongal]

UC Davis, asks for 1 year of college math, including statistics. I also have a more advanced statistics for psychology course from my undergrad, so I'm assuming this would fly. I also have pre-calc, is that not a college level course?

I wouldn't get into ucla so I'm not worried about that, probably wouldn't get into UCI either. I'm thinking more like USC (possibly), Loma Linda, Uni of Hawaii, and some other out of state ones.

I have a 3.18 right now, I need to get straight A's in all the science pre-reqs and then I will most likely end up with a 3.4 or very close to it. If I get all A's in the pre-reqs then I'm assuming I will do well on the mcat, especially if I study for a few months.

I will call up the schools though, and see what they say. If I took calc, I would take it in summer, and cram like crazy....I still don't want to take calculus based physics though! wwow, the last time I had physics was over 8 years ago, in HS. I haven't got a CLUE! I'm sure I could handle algebra based though...I got all A's in algebra

Thanks for the helo everyone... feel free to offer some more advice

 

[Evergrey]

Personally, I think you will be missing out if you never take a Calculus class. Math doesn't *really* start being cool until the Calc level. Up until that point, math is two-dimensional. Calculus isn't simple, but it doesn't have to be hard, either.

I would really encourage you to take Calc... it's enough of a perspective changer that I would actually support colleges making it a required class. I guess to me, college is about pushing your understanding of things and challenging the way you think about and approach the world. In that light, calculus was a very important component of my education.

 

[FlowLimited]

UC Davis, asks for 1 year of college math, including statistics. I also have a more advanced statistics for psychology course from my undergrad, so I'm assuming this would fly. I also have pre-calc, is that not a college level course?

I wouldn't get into ucla so I'm not worried about that, probably wouldn't get into UCI either. I'm thinking more like USC (possibly), Loma Linda, Uni of Hawaii, and some other out of state ones.

I have a 3.18 right now, I need to get straight A's in all the science pre-reqs and then I will most likely end up with a 3.4 or very close to it. If I get all A's in the pre-reqs then I'm assuming I will do well on the mcat, especially if I study for a few months.

I will call up the schools though, and see what they say. If I took calc, I would take it in summer, and cram like crazy....I still don't want to take calculus based physics though! wwow, the last time I had physics was over 8 years ago, in HS. I haven't got a CLUE! I'm sure I could handle algebra based though...I got all A's in algebra

Thanks for the helo everyone... feel free to offer some more advice

In all honesty, you're going to have some difficulty with that GPA. Unfortunately, being a California resident only makes things worse.

 

[thoffen]

It seems to me that there is absolutely no calculus in medicine. Whether it helped me think or not I don't know. My engineering background has certainly helped in a few areas.

 

[TexanGirl]

Wow, you're getting horrible advice. Generally, pre-professional students are not expected or even encouraged to take engineering sequences for physics and calculus. Bio majors usually take algebra-based or a separate non-engineering calc-based physics class (if your school has one.)

 

[londongal]

Does anyone else think I will have a lot of difficulty getting into a school?
I don't want to be over confident but I'm thinking that an overall gpa of about 3.35-3.4 (upward trend with around 3.6 in the sciences) plus an mcat above 30, isn't too shabby. I'm sure I can get into somehere semi decent. university of hawaii? loma linda?

I thought it would be easier being from cali, I know there might be more competition but schools are better here, more or less...so maybe I will stand out more than someone from another state

 

[FlowLimited]

Does anyone else think I will have a lot of difficulty getting into a school?
I don't want to be over confident but I'm thinking that an overall gpa of about 3.35-3.4 (upward trend with around 3.6 in the sciences) plus an mcat above 30, isn't too shabby. I'm sure I can get into somehere semi decent. university of hawaii? loma linda?

I thought it would be easier being from cali, I know there might be more competition but schools are better here, more or less...so maybe I will stand out more than someone from another state

An overall GPA in that range is going to be an issue regardless of your MCAT score. The reason why being a California resident is so challenging is because all the CA med schools are highly regarded and there are many, many California applicants.

I don't want to say that your chances are poor, because nobody can say for certain, but it's better to be realistic than to try and fool yourself.

 

[londongal]

but I won't only be applying only here, I'm going to apply all over the states. I don't see how being 2 points off the average gpa (which I believe is a 3.6) is going to knock me out completely. If the average is 3.6 then that means a fair number of applicants had GPA's below this by 4 points. Remember I'm going to make sure I end up with a 3.4 and all A's in chem/physics/bio


money is not an issue for me so I'm not going to be rejecting any offers, even from rip off private schools

I want to be realistic too, and I think I am

 

[FlowLimited]

but I won't only be applying only here, I'm going to apply all over the states. I don't see how being 2 points off the average gpa (which I believe is a 3.6) is going to knock me out completely. If the average is 3.6 then that means a fair number of applicants had GPA's below this by 4 points. Remember I'm going to make sure I end up with a 3.4 and all A's in chem/physics/bio


money is not an issue for me so I'm not going to be rejecting any offers, even from rip off private schools

I want to be realistic too, and I think I am

The fact of the matter is, a 3.4 GPA is low and two tenths of a point is significant. You can't slice it any other way.

I don't think anyone here is trying to dissuade you from applying, because it's not impossible to get into med school with these numbers. It may just be more challenging than you expect.

 

[londongal]

you're right no one else...except you 🙂

 

[FlowLimited]

you're right no one else...except you 🙂

Nope. Not even me. 😀

 

[londongal]

I know it's going to be tough, but I don't think it will be that hard to get into the worst schools in the US

 

[FlowLimited]

I know it's going to be tough, but I don't think it will be that hard to get into the worst schools in the US

If only there was such a thing as a crappy US med school.