<p>I have been looking at medical school requirements and most of them do say they require a year of general physics 1/2 with some specifying it to be Mechanics/Electromagnetism. </p>
<p>My question is - Is there really a preference to take Mechanics/Electromagnetism over general physics? While it does show stronger courses, how much of a benefit (if any) does it have in medical school admissions?</p>
<p>Just take general physics. There is no benefit gained by taking calculus based physics. By doing so, you may make studying for the MCAT a tad harder because of reduced familiarity with algebra based concepts and formula.</p>
<p>One kid made an analogy like this: If you tend to get a higher score on SAT math IC than SAT math 2C, that is, you tend to not make any careless/stupid mistakes on a simpler test, you should take the algebra-based general physics. Otherwise, take the calculus-based physics.</p>
<p>The reason is that you may need to consistently make fewer careless mistakes on a general physics test to get the same grade.</p>
<p>Also, some advanced, proof-based physics (in which every formula is derived from a set of axioms – the way the hardcore physics majors learn their “introductory” physics) may not even cover some topics that are tested on MCAT.</p>
<p>doesnt matter. i personally took calc based physics, but we rarely did any calc.</p>
<p>mcat2:</p>
<p>I like the story, but not sure if it is appropriate bcos the testing populations and competitors are different. Calc-based physics is full of quant-jocks, to whom math can be a first language: engineers, chem majors, physics majors, etc. Alg-based physics includes the (gunner) premeds and life-science majors. </p>
<p>Since the courses are curved big time…</p>
<p>At D2’s school it’s a moot question since both the life sciences physics and engineering physics courses are calc-based. (And D’s kicking all kinds of pre-med ass right now 'cuz she’s a math/bio double major and has been a calc TA for 2 years. Her average: 95; class average: 63.)</p>
<p>WayOutWestMom, It appears your D could easily excel on this kind of subject. If she is also very good at absorbing a huge amount of information in a short time, she could be a “killer premed.” I heard from DS that on several mostly mid-level bio related subjects (e.g., cell bio and immuno, and some part of biochem), the textbook is thick and dense and hard to crack – a totally different kind of animal. Some, but not all, engineering or physical science students really do not enjoy this kind of learning. It appears some students complain that they feel like they are just learning a huge amount of random, unrelated facts during most time in a semester, and it is only toward the last few days of the semester that they finally “got it”, understanding these are not random facts for them to memorize.</p>
<p>bluebayou, I forgot to mention that another factor to consider in order to decide which physics to take: Will you fall asleep in class if you take general physics? Seriously, many premeds who are decent in their math and science background back in high school (for example, those with a 5 on AP Physics C in high school junior or senior) may do worse on general physics because they will lack motivation if they take general physics.</p>
<p>Some kids can get close to 2400 SAT 1 because they are smart at this level of test, but they are really not into any physical sciences at all, even at the high school AP physics C level (let alone at the real “natural science for a natural science major” level which is often one level higher than that for an engineering major). These kids can be successful premeds too. I know one kid who is like that but got into several top medical schools last year. She was very good at all subjects except those which requires any maths beyond SAT 1 math – a very typical life science gunner. I heard she could study premed subjects like orgo or bio or general chemistry for more hours than most other students could, but for any PhD track physical sciences? It is “no thanks” for her. She happily took general physics using her super SAT 1 math skill, got a good grade on it, and bid goodbye to any physics related subject forever. There are no lack of these kinds of premeds – and many of them are pretty successful (as long as they do not go to a tech school and take a tech major. So, it is another “fit or not” issue.)</p>
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<p>Since most high schools don’t even offer Physics C (~45k students take the test each year in contrast to ~9x that number who sit for Lit/US Hist), I would say that such students have more than a “decent” background in math/science. IMO, they are near the top of the pyramid of HS math/science :)</p>
<p>But I do understand how motivation can play a role. Some folks say that the the calc-based course is “easier” bcos it makes problem-solving “easier” (but perhaps that is just the quant-jocks talking). The same maybe true for Stats: calc-based stats vs. Alg-based stats.</p>
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<p>“Advanced” high school math is not required for SAT-M. It only tests Algebra I, Geometry, and a handful of questions from Alg II. (Heck, the ACT math is more “advanced” since it has four (trig) questions generally taught in PreCalc.)</p>
<p>How about this situation?</p>
<p>Student A has already taken Mechanics/Electromagnetism at a state university while in high school. He then proceeded to take general physics I/II at a private university. Since he took Mechanics/Electromagnetism for credit, would it look bad on him to take a lower level physics class again? </p>
<p>Student B has take AP Physics C while in high school and proceeded to take general physics I/II at a private university.</p>
<p>How would both of those situations look in medical admissions?</p>
<p>OP, For student A, he does not have to take physics again because he has already had 2 semesters of physics (assuming that he took the labs at the same time at that state university.) It is because AMCAS will recognize the credits.</p>
<p>This is the beauty of taking college-level classes (but not AP/IB) while at high school (as long as they are not taken at a community college or a podunk college. often the case they are taken at a somewhat lower-ranked local college.) But if you go to some top college and major in sciences, they may make you take the same or (more likely) the high level physics again there. The reason is that at these top colleges, they do not want to see some students take fewer classes just because they have had better preparation on some subjects in high school. It is not fair to other students who have to take the full load of classes. Some colleges do allow this (that is, allowing you to take somewhat fewer classes just because you have taken some college classes in high school or even AP. BTW, this may be a loophole that some students at some colleges may play to their advantage. At the very top, “premed factory type” private colleges, too many students may play this game if they are allowed to do this, Very likely the college noticed this unfair situation a long time ago and therefore prohibits the students from taking advantage of this.)</p>
<p>For student B, his AP credits are in general useless (his knowledge/skills obtained is useful though.)</p>
<p>I do not know how medical school adcoms would think about these two cases. But I guess, in most cases, they just do not care – There may be half a dozen adcoms and 5000 applicants, do you think they have time to pay attention to these details?</p>
<p>Any general physics will include both Mechanics and Electromagnetism. They are parts of physiscs. No calc based physics is reaguired. If not sure, ask your pre-med advisor who is more familiar with specific classes at your school and knows well which physiscs most pre-emds take at your school.</p>