How useful is calculus anyways -_-

<p>I can AP out of calculus right now (5 on BC) and I'm pretty sure I don't intend to do an engineering or mathematics major. The majors I am considering are a premed one, econ, business (although haas is losing its luster), or some other liberal artsy one. </p>

<p>So do med schools require calculus classes? or can you ap out of it? Do you need to know it really well for the MCAT? or Econ?</p>

<p>Yes!... med schools require on year of math (53/54, 1a/b, 16a/b whatever). Almost all med schools in the US do not take any AP credits except a few.</p>

<p>Here are the sections on the MCAT:
* Physical Sciences (PS)
* Verbal Reasoning (VR)
* Writing Sample (WS)
* Biological Sciences (BS)</p>

<p>Can you find math? Guess it's not tested on.</p>

<p>If you're econ depends if you're going econometrics or theoretical. Theoretical is less math... econometrics is all about math and statistics.</p>

<p>Uh, many med schools take AP credits for mathematics. Some schools don't even require math.</p>

<p>Harvard: (takes AP credit)
Harvard</a> Medical School: Requirements</p>

<p>UCSD: (takes AP credit)
Admissions</a> ~ Step By Step</p>

<p>UCSF: (doesn't require math)
UCSF</a> School of Medicine - Admissions</p>

<p>Stanford: (doesn't require math)
Admissions</a> - Education - Stanford University School of Medicine</p>

<p>Anyway, you get the point. If you don't want to be bothered by calc, then don't take them.</p>

<p>If you want to do econ hardcore you'll need multivariable calculus (math 53), but it's not required for the major.</p>

<p>I asked a Harvard med-school counselor about pre-reqs last year. It's true that they do take AP credits for math, but they still rather prefer students to take college math classes.</p>

<p>They said AP Calc BC is one of the easiest AP tests by college board. Didn't really believe that until they showed that 80% of all BC test takers receive passing scores thru an AP central grade distribution site. Math is still highly recommended though I still not sure why it's not even the MCAT and most of med school doesn't involve any tough calculus.</p>

<p>I found the link to grade distribution from college board: AP:</a> Calculus BC Grade Distribution</p>

<p>80% of the 64,000 test takers received 3 and above on the exam in 2007.</p>

<p>Uh, I hope those Hah-vahd eggheads would be a bit smarter than that and realize that is because people who take BC are very highly screened, whether by class entrance requirements, or simple self-selection.</p>

<p>well, you cannot just generalize that AP Calc is one of the easiest tests based on how many people get high scores... if AP Calc is easy, we can argue all of the AP tests are "easy" because they are curved.</p>

<p>Most people say AP Statistics is an easy subject and is easier than calc, yet only around 20% receive 5's, while around 40% of calc bc test takers receive 5's. Does that make AP Stats the harder test? no..</p>

<p>What bartleby said makes more sense. those higher-achieving students generally take the calculus examinations. Since "smart" people are taking the test, we can expect that those "smart" people will pass, therefore yielding a high percentage of people who pass.</p>

<p>But yes, most state that taking math instead of APing out of it is recommended.</p>

<p>-how useful is calc? my math teacher would say, very useful and its FUN. for premed, im not sure.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It's true that they do take AP credits for math, but they still rather prefer students to take college math classes.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>There you go. That answers the OP's question. Obviously, med schools prefer the course to be taken at a college, but in the end it's just a preference. It's not required like the core classes. So, if you don't want to take it at Berkeley, then don't.</p>