<p>Hi, I need some help regarding a math placement exam. My college requires me to take an online math exam to place me in the right level math course. The problem is I did bad on the exam and got placed in a low level math class. The reason for this is because I was not able to take Calc for my senior year due to scheduling problems and not enough people taking it at my school, so they even canceled the class. I tried to take it in a local community college but due to above mentioned issues, I was unable too.(I also took it about an hour before the deadline of 12a.m so I was in a hurry)</p>
<p>Thus I have not had a math class in about a year+ time. The thing is my math has gotten BAD. Sometimes I find myself having to think an extra minute or 2 on regular algebra problems that I could do with my eyes closed before. That was the same thing that happened on the test too. There were problems I know I had done before, but could not remember no matter how hard I tried how to go about doing them.</p>
<p>So I can retake the test again in about 2 months.</p>
<p>So my question is should I retake it? I'm planning on buying some math books to go over math formulas and concepts so I can remember some things. Then I can retake it and place into a higher math class something close to Calc, or just a class below it. The thing is I'm not sure if by being in such a low class I will be able to work my way up all the way up to calc before I send in my app to medical schools. And I know that a lot of schools like that their students took calc or a class close to that level of math. </p>
<p>If I didn't take the test I could take the easy math class. Being that once my brain was refreshed after a couple of weeks of the math class I would be able to plow through it easily, ending with a basically guaranteed A, (barring any other factors which could make otherwise happen) thus boosting my g.p.a, making my freshman year easier in college, and allowing me to concentrate more on my science classes. But should I do this. Or will med-schools look down on this and this will make me not as appealing if I get pass the first application in med-school processing.</p>
<p>I'm going to Michigan State University in the Fall. I know how important g.p.a and MCATS are(I have read every post in the general premed advice thread and the MCAT thread) and while having a high g.p.a and MCAT would get me past the first app, once on the second app would I be looked down upon and not be offered an interview because I didn't take Calc, and everyone else did. I know med-schools reward you little if any for taking a harder courseload but what about this situation.</p>
<p>michigan.....you woul definitely need calc not necessarily for admission but b/c of your pre-med track. you need to take more math...it's michigan.</p>
<p>Just what I thought. When should the semester of calculus be taken before or after I apply to med-school. Like could I take calc in the second semester of my senior year and med schools would be happy or would they prefer me to take it before my junior year.</p>
<p>Hi Kenshinsan. Just drop back in level and take college algebra, then trig, then calculus. That way you'll have a solid foundation in math before you get to calc. My D didn't take calc in high school and this is what she did (also applying to med school). If you're just starting college in the fall you have plenty of time to take several math classes before it is time to apply to med school. Enjoy MSU...from a fellow Spartan (class of 1974).</p>
<p>Well, certainly it won't ever be necessary. I've found it useful.</p>
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<p>Some of your prerequisites can be taken during your senior year, but I would limit it to two semesters' worth or less. Of course, this is moot if you go with a gap year.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the advice. So BDM do you think that I should follow bookiemom's advice, how many years would it take to reach the calc level. (Ahh I feel so stupid not taking it when everyone else is)</p>
<p>Obviously this depends on where you are right now and how your school's program is structured. If you don't retake, are you set for algebra, or would you start in trigonometry, or perhaps pre-calculus? (Does pre-calculus exist at your school?)</p>
<p>Could you retake the test and place a little higher? Would you want to? Etc.</p>
<p>The point is, you should take at least one semester of calculus all in all. Two might be safer for medical school, and I really really advocate Calc III on a personal level, but it is not useful for medical school.</p>
<p>Fund. Algebra, Int. Algebra (me), College Algebra, Trig, Pre-Calc, CalcI, Calc II, Calc III, UP</p>
<p>I know if I retook the test I could test past college algebra and probably into trigonometry, though I don't think I could test into Pre-Calc, seeing as how I never took it, but I could self-study it this summer if you advise it. And I wouldn't mind testing a little higher, I'm just afraid I might not do as well as the basically guaranteed A I have in the class I would take now if I didn't retest.</p>
<p>If I didn't change my classes now that means that I wouldn't be able to take Calc I till my first semester Junior Year, right? Would med-schools look at me as an idiot for this, and is it smart to be taking math all year every year like this. Would it bring down my grades? I've never had trouble with math, its always came to me without too much difficulty, but I'm not sure how I would do in college math.</p>
<p>My advice is to prepare reasonably for the test and take it. You can then be placed in a class that is appropriate for your abilities. </p>
<p>You will not have to worry what med schools may think of you. You will not have to fit six semesters worth of math into your schedule. You will not have to worry that you cannot take x course at the optimal time because that course has a prerequisite of Calc I and II.</p>
<p>Instead, you can more easily study and learn what you want, what will actually help make you into the kind of person that is attractive to med schools.</p>
<p>Great advice Adad. I would add "talk to the premed advisor"</p>
<p>You certainly will not do yourself any favors by getting in over your head in math. If you are not a math person, and are taking it just to fulfill premed requirements, then there is no percentage in drowning in it.</p>
<p>Can you take the physics course your college recommends for premeds without calculus? You may have to figure that into your timing. You will need physics to take the MCAT.</p>
<p>Depending on the outcome of the discussion with premed advisor, you may need to take longer than 4 years to get your courses in or take something over the summer. Lots of people do this.</p>
<p>I have my orientation in July and thats when I can talk to both my premed advisor and take the math placement test again. I think I might retake the test because I am positive I can handle a higher level math course without too much difficulty, but I will talk to them about it anyway. </p>
<p>I really don't want to take more than 4 years to finish my prereqs so I will try to do what is necessary to finish on time.</p>
<p>hey, srry to hijack this thread but need to conserve space on threads lol =D, do you guys find it better to take orgo lab while taking orgo chem or to actaulyl take orgo chem and then take the lab like next semester or next school yr? thanks!!</p>
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that's probably what's normal at your school, no?
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<p>Yeah thats the norm at my school too. They also have something at my school called intensive orgo summer in which you take orgo 1 summer A, orgo 2 summer B, and orgo lab summer C (A+B).</p>