<p>Wow, it certainly has been a long long time since i've last logged on and posted on CC in like december of last year or so. But back to the point on hand; I got into all of the schools i've wanted to get into (thanks all you CCers) and I ultimately chose UCLA. </p>
<p>But there's a nasty predicament associated with taking all these APs and the associated tests on the advice that it "would help" me and the such. Now I've gotta take Math 32a (multivariable calculus) or Math 3c because I passed out of the first 2 of the series, and from what I've heard, it's a damn hard class! But, that's not the problem. UCLA's medical school states that "AP credits will not be accepted for completion of required courses" and a total of 3 quarters of math is required. So what does that mean?? Those 8 units of ap math from ab/bc calculus mean nothing, and instead of taking Math 31a/31b/32a or Math 3a/3b/3c, I'd have to take Math 32a/33b/etc (in other words, i'd take 3 4 5, rather than 1 2 3)??? </p>
<p>Do I sound like a bumbling idiot or what?! Okay, calm down, calm down. lol</p>
<p>Does anyone have any insight into how this all works??</p>
<p>32a wasn't that hard- think AP Calculus for one more variable (still same mathematic principles), with some expansions on the topics. If you did fine in AP Calculus BC, you should be fine if you keep up with the homework. </p>
<p>And you're allowed to take 3c? I always thought you were limited to 32a? Guess not. If it comes down to 3c or 32a (w/o all the previous courses in the series), I'd stick with 32a since you'll be better prepared for math beyond 32a/3c.</p>
<p>And unfortunately those 8 AP units are worthless, aside from prohibitting you from enrolling in a lower math level course.</p>
<p>But...the question is, do i really want to take higher level math when I could have taken the lower math courses in the first place to satisfy the requirements?? Because when i think about it, it feels like i'm getting cheated from taking the easy classes (as a possible GPA booster) to simply fulfill the requirement that I'm sure people who hadn't passed the AP tests are taking. Why take more than I'd have to in the first place to just meet the requirement? </p>
<p>For some reason, it doesn't seem like linear algebra is useful in medicine...but thanks for the reassurance that it isn't too hard, all I've heard was that it was a killer class with massive competition from all the engineering students.</p>
<p>BTW: What's your major? Those extra math courses may very well be required anyways or at least recommended (for at least chem and physics majors)</p>
<p>=( The edit button disappeared. I had a brain-fart earlier, but that's only because that was the only info I learned for the longest time at UCLA, and believe me, I was stressing as much as you. But I just remembered instead of going through steps "1-2-3" or "3-4-5" in calculus/linear algebra/et al, you can do "1-a1-a2"and take statistics (take calc 32a, and then stats 10: super easy/study hall course where you dont waste your time with lecture unless you have a rare anal professor, and biostats 132- don't quote me on the number, look it up). Stats is recommended for premeds so even better and plus you can avoid those unnecessary hard math courses (poor engineers, but alas that was the life they chose- or maybe they like math. I liked math in high school, but that was when I had my ti-89 as an extra limb). Plus, biostats 13[insert actual last digit] is usually also an accepted upper division course for science majors and is considered one of the easier upper div courses (how can you possibly lose?!?). Or you can go "1-a1-b1" and take computer programming (pic 10a i believe- and computer skills would be a nice addition to your resumes/cvs). Double check on all this- email your major's counselor (maybe you'll receive a quicker response if you email at this time since they're not swamped yet, or maybe not since they might be on vacation...).</p>
<p>Why do medical schools ignore AP credits anyways? It seems counter-productive, given that they're essentially punishing all pre-meds for being ambitious by taking advanced classes to learn as much as possible.</p>