Statistics: should I take it?

[argonaute]

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I'm about to graduate early from college, and spring 2011 will be my last semester. I had originally planned to take statistics, because it's definitely important to know, and I've heard some medical schools require it, but because I am graduating a year early, I don't know if it is still worth it to cram it into my last semester. How many medical schools actually require statistics, and will I be at any disadvantage by not taking it?

 

[deleted307836]

I'm about to graduate early from college, and spring 2011 will be my last semester. I had originally planned to take statistics, because it's definitely important to know, and I've heard some medical schools require it, but because I am graduating a year early, I don't know if it is still worth it to cram it into my last semester. How many medical schools actually require statistics, and will I be at any disadvantage by not taking it?

Do you already have one year of math?

If not, take it for sure.

Otherwise, look at all of the schools you want to apply to and see how many require statistics. If you can fit it in, I'd say do it. Not only does it meet the requirements for a handful of schools, but it's a great subject to at least have an introductory background in.

 

[boko]

im in texas an now many of the med schools are requiring it so im taking next semester even though i've already taken calc 1 and 2. but def look at the school you will apply to!

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Take stats if you can. You'll learn a lot and when the time comes to discuss a research article you won't be sitting there wondering what the p-value means. Not that you couldn't learn the basics on the internet, but statistics is still a good class to take.

 

[Catalystik]

Stats is the only math class that will be of use for the rest of your medical career. You could also take it from a local CC after graduating. No need to squeeze it in and compromise your study time with what's already on your plate.

A copy of the MSAR, available in your prehealth advising office or library, will tell you the math requirements for all the med schools.

 

[theWUbear]

I'm about to graduate early from college, and spring 2011 will be my last semester. I had originally planned to take statistics, because it's definitely important to know, and I've heard some medical schools require it, but because I am graduating a year early, I don't know if it is still worth it to cram it into my last semester. How many medical schools actually require statistics, and will I be at any disadvantage by not taking it?

I am 99 percent sure that some schools require a statistics course in specific. Others require one semester of calc, many just one year of math, etc. Best to double check the MSAR.

An ability to understand the basic tenants of statistics will come in handy throughout your life, not only as a physician looking at/performing research but in every day activities

 

[dbeast]

UCLA requires 1 semester of stats. Didn't find that out until my interview day. Whoops...

 

[curlytop]

I agree with the others here, stats will do you some good. It fulfills at least part of the math requirement that many schools will have (although I don't remember it having to be stats). It's relavant, especially in research, and in my opinion much easier than your other math options.

If you can, take an intro to stats class.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I am 99 percent sure that no schools require a statistics course in specific.

Not true. Quite a few do.

Whether or not it will affect your cycle depends on where you live and where you are applying. Almost every California school requires it - so if you're a Californian you want to make sure you have it. As another poster said, several Texas schools require it.

OP - You really need to check the schools you want to apply to before deciding not to take it. And don't count on them not noticing or not caring. If they say they require it then they require it. Two of my classmates had to take stats at their local community colleges the summer before starting because they hadn't taken it yet.

 

[equios]

Agree with Stats is probably one of the easiest math classes you will take, and the only math class that you will actively use for the rest of your life. If you already have 2 semester/1 year of Math, don't sweat it, but, as other posters have stated, some schools want you to have it, so might as well.

 

[argonaute]

thanks everyone. I completely agree with statistics being important; I've taken math all the way up until linear algebra, but the only math I ever use in any research work or classes is statistics.

It just seems like an annoying class to have to take. I feel fairly confident in the basics of statistics, and taking an intro stat class seems like quite some hassle for whatever I learn on top of what I know. But taking it at a community college doesn't sound too bad- do you think anyone will care of the class was online?

 

[ILikeDrugs]

thanks everyone. I completely agree with statistics being important; I've taken math all the way up until linear algebra, but the only math I ever use in any research work or classes is statistics.

It just seems like an annoying class to have to take. I feel fairly confident in the basics of statistics, and taking an intro stat class seems like quite some hassle for whatever I learn on top of what I know. But taking it at a community college doesn't sound too bad- do you think anyone will care of the class was online?

The community college that I've attended don't mention in the transcripts if the class was online or not. If you've already satisfied the math requirement I don't think they should hold it against you.

 

[mdeast]

Statistics is definitely extremely useful for med school and the medical profession. Most medical schools teach this as some part of their curriculum (we, for instance, have a separate course entitled "Quantitative Medicine" for learning clinical research related statistics). They're also tested as part of the Step 1. Doing it beforehand might make things much easier and it's a good thing to know. Some school's do require it (though I didn't take it in undergrad, and never ran into a problem anywhere).

Do realize though that you're statistics knowledge only needs to be pretty simple if you're a normal doc who isn't necessarily participating daily in clinical research analysis. It'll mainly means being able to read a NEJM clinical research article and understand what some basic analysis terms mean (risk ratios, odds ratios, relative risk, mean, median, standard deviation, the difference between different types of clinical studies and the types of analysis that can be done, and which values seem statistically or clinically significant given p values, Chi Square tests, etc.). You don't necessarily really need to know how to calculate any of these things...instead, just know more or less what they are to be able to interpret a table in a clinical research paper.

 

[IHOPness]

Definitely take statistics. You will be able to understand research studies better and be a better physician. Statistics gives you powah!!!!!

 

[causalinference]

You don't even have to take a statistics class if you don't want to spend the money. Just buy a book and teach yourself. I recommend High-Yield Biostatistics, which is the book my medical school used. It will prepare for you for USMLE Step 1 and it won't take you more than a week to finish. A statistics class will be more comprehensive but probably won't be more useful to you as a physician.