Simple pre-req question

[sacapuntas]

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So I came across Dr. Toothache's list of pre-req classes...looks like almost no schools require calculus, will I put myself at a disadvantage to the adcom's if I don't take calculus? I have a fair amount of other math from a previous major, but not as high level as Calculus (Discrete math, college algebra and trig, pre-calc, statistics, and one other business related math class I can't remember the name of).

Also, I noticed a significant handful require a semester of psychology. In the past, I took a Psych course called Lifespan of Human Development...basically a birth-death overview of the stages of life. Would this be what they are looking for or do they want you to take the Intro to Psych 101 type course?

Thanks, I am considering dropping Calculus for a Psych course this fall, so any input would greatly help.

 

[Seahawk]

I'm not sure about the psych class, haven't seen that before...It should list it on there was the course they want you to have it...otherwise I would assume any psych class would count..

The first question is more theory...Everybody thinks something different...

I'm personally in the camp for taking hard classes to look good isn't worth the risk if you might take a GPA hit from it. That's up to you. I wouldn't do it if I didn't need it and it was of no interest to me.

They want you to major in/take what you like...Follow that.

 

[AwesomeTeeth]

So I came across Dr. Toothache's list of pre-req classes...looks like almost no schools require calculus, will I put myself at a disadvantage to the adcom's if I don't take calculus? I have a fair amount of other math from a previous major, but not as high level as Calculus (Discrete math, college algebra and trig, pre-calc, statistics, and one other business related math class I can't remember the name of).

Also, I noticed a significant handful require a semester of psychology. In the past, I took a Psych course called Lifespan of Human Development...basically a birth-death overview of the stages of life. Would this be what they are looking for or do they want you to take the Intro to Psych 101 type course?

Thanks, I am considering dropping Calculus for a Psych course this fall, so any input would greatly help.

I would drop Calculus if you don't need it. But it might be a pre-req for physics so make sure you check if you haven't taken physics yet. If you absolutely don't need it for any other class, then yeah I would drop it. Save yourself the headache since you won't be using calculus for the rest of your life

I would also think any psychology class would count as long as its offered by the psych department. I don't think they would be too picky about that.

 

[dentalWorks]

So I came across Dr. Toothache's list of pre-req classes...looks like almost no schools require calculus, will I put myself at a disadvantage to the adcom's if I don't take calculus? I have a fair amount of other math from a previous major, but not as high level as Calculus (Discrete math, college algebra and trig, pre-calc, statistics, and one other business related math class I can't remember the name of).

Also, I noticed a significant handful require a semester of psychology. In the past, I took a Psych course called Lifespan of Human Development...basically a birth-death overview of the stages of life. Would this be what they are looking for or do they want you to take the Intro to Psych 101 type course?

Thanks, I am considering dropping Calculus for a Psych course this fall, so any input would greatly help.

if you wanna take meaningful classes that are not part of the pre-requisites, hit up upper level biologies and do well.... I am talking about biochem, microbio, physiology, anatomy, histology, etc etc.

I don't see why you'd think calculus would put you at an advantage / disadvantage.... if calculus is not part of your degree, then IMO, your wasting your time and money taking it when you could be taking a more important class.

As far as psychology goes, the only time you'll need it is if your applying to a school that requires it.... and they are not very specific about WHICH psychology course, they just want to see 3 credits from a psychology course (U of Michigan = case in point)

 

[The Prologue]

Some schools do require cal though if you are interested such as BU.

 

[drpj]

I would think Calculus is a required class for every dental school but I could be wrong. Everyone I knew who applied to dental school went up to at least Calc I. And just take General Psychology if your institution offers it.

 

[sacapuntas]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going post-bacc to get my pre-reqs done and the problem I am running into is that I can't take the high level biology classes until I am done with Gen Bio 2 this fall...so I am taking O Chem 1 w/ lab, Gen Bio 2 with lab, am signed up for calc, and Intro to Psych, but trying to figure out what I actually need so I don't waste time and money. I was registered for human anatomy with lab, but that instructor is notoriously poor and I think I will have my hands full anyways so I dropped that.

What other classes might I look for? I do already have a sociology course done from my previous degree, that seems like it is one that is required by a few. I am a little stumped?

 

[dentalWorks]

Thanks for the help everyone. I am going post-bacc to get my pre-reqs done and the problem I am running into is that I can't take the high level biology classes until I am done with Gen Bio 2 this fall...so I am taking O Chem 1 w/ lab, Gen Bio 2 with lab, am signed up for calc, and Intro to Psych, but trying to figure out what I actually need so I don't waste time and money. I was registered for human anatomy with lab, but that instructor is notoriously poor and I think I will have my hands full anyways so I dropped that.

What other classes might I look for? I do already have a sociology course done from my previous degree, that seems like it is one that is required by a few. I am a little stumped?

How about non-calc based physics 1 (with lab) instead of calculus?

By the way, thats one heck of a semester you got going (bio + orgo + calc or physics + psych)

 

[sacapuntas]

How about non-calc based physics 1 (with lab) instead of calculus?

By the way, thats one heck of a semester you got going (bio + orgo + calc or physics + psych)

Not a bad idea...I was hoping to take physics 1 & 2 along with microbio, physiology, genetics, and probably a few other high level bio courses the year after I apply, but may do the physics now.

And yes, I may have my hands full with these classes...but it shouldn't be too bad, I have been conditioned to 90+ hour week weeks at my previous job!