Calculus BC as a Sophomore... What is next?

Pre-Med & Medical School High School Student Topics
1

I’m an incoming Sophmore that’s going to take BC, which is calc 1 & 2. Im planning on taking AP stats as a senior, so can I take Calc 3, and Diff EQ or linear algebra as a Junior at a local Community College (1 a semester). Will med schools see this, and consider it as a year of math? Also, would I be able to retake any level calc in undergrad?

2

Yes to taking a math locally. Depends upon the college as to whether they allow you to retake. Most seem to be fine with it.

3

@1Shot2Success

  1. assuming your calc 3 and diff eq classes is taken through a local community college or 4 year college, med schools will be see the courses (and the grades) since applicants are required to send official transcripts from every college where they have ever taken classes. Most med schools will allow those classes (if taken at a CC or 4 year college) to fulfill admission requirements for “college level mathematics”. However, be aware that some medical schools have specific math requirements. The most commonly required math class is statistics or biostatistics. AP stats usually will not fulfill this requirement.

  2. It will depend on the policies of your undergrad whether you will be allowed to retake the coursework and earn credit.

On AMCAS, you will need to mark any re-taken coursework (including any for AP classes for which you earned college credit) as a repeated class. This is non-ideal since both the original grade and the retake grade will be included in your GPA calculations. Re-taking classes you’ve already passed looks like grade grubbing/GPA fluffing/perfectionism/neuroticism–something med school adcomms really don’t like to see.

4

Thanks @WayOutWestMom ! Assuming I understand this right, Calc doesn’t need to be at a 4 year uni?

5

Correct.

6

AP Stats will not buy you anything at your level. If you really wanted an easy Intro Stats class you should just take the Stats class at the same CC where at least it will be only one quarter or semester rather than a whole year. Or in your case, better to take a Intro college-level calculus-based Stats class.

7

Calc can be taken at a community college or a 4 year college for med school admissions.

Some, but not all, medical schools will accept AP Calc credit as fulfilling admission requirements. Those that do accept AP Calc credit expect that applicants will take higher level math classes in college to supplement the AP credits.