<p>I already took AP Calc in high school and did fairly well (90 first semester, 88 second semester) considering that I HATED the subject. I didn't take the AP test, because while I understood most of what I learned in calc, did well on homework assignments, and even could use calc concepts fairly well to help me with physics, I would freeze up on calculus tests. I've looked up all three medical schools that currently interest me, and they each only require one semester of Calculus or Statistics taught in the Math department. In fact, my #1 choice specifically recommends Stats, but not Calc. Looking through the course catalog for the Science department, none of the courses I plan on taking require Calculus credit. But college advisers are telling me to take Calc instead of Stats. Nobody can give me a solid reason why. Even my mother, who is a doctor and graduated from my #1 choice, is telling me to take Calc, even though she confirms that she NEVER used it after college. What's going on here? I'd appreciate any advice anyone could give me on this. :)</p>
<p>You’re going to be applying to more than 3 med schools so it’s good to have an application that satisfies the requirements of most med schools. I recommend 1 semester of calc and 1 semester of stats. This will satisfy the requirements of med schools that require calc and/or stats and/or 1 full year of math. In terms of usefulness, a basic understanding of statistics is absolutely necessary for a physician. There are a couple of med schools that require a full year of calc for which this plan won’t work but that’s only a few out of the 120+ med schools.</p>
<p>I would echo the above suggestion. If you don’t like Calculus that much look to see if your college offers a Calculus class related to science. My son took Mathematical Models in the Bio-sciences. See description below:</p>
<p>Introduction to topics in mathematical modeling that are applicable to biological systems. Discrete and continuous models of population, neural, and cardiac dynamics. Stability of fixed points and limit cycles of differential equations. Applications include Norton’s chemotherapy scheduling and stochastic models of tumor suppressor gene networks.</p>
<p>He also plans to take a Stats class that relates to medicine. See description below:</p>
<p>Statistical methods used in medicine and medical research. Practice in reading medical literature competently and critically, as well as practical experience performing statistical analysis of medical data.</p>
<p>This link of schools requiring math may be helpful.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/slife/pre_med/Math_Req_for_Medical_School.pdf[/url]”>http://www.swarthmore.edu/Documents/slife/pre_med/Math_Req_for_Medical_School.pdf</a></p>
<p>It’s always a good idea to market yourself to meet requirements of as many schools as possible as you never know which schools you might ultimately apply to.</p>
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<p>To be safe take both, as norcalguy suggests.</p>