It’s been a while since I’ve visited, but I’m pretty confused right now.
I’m currently a physio/neuro major at UCSD (pre-med), and I bypassed the AB and BC Calculus exams (AP). I’m aware that certain medical schools want a year of math (calc + stats), and I only have a 1 quarter mathematics class (stats) within my 4 year plan. What other 2 courses can I take to fulfil that full year requirement (KEEP IN MIND: I want the easiest path, as in I don’t want to take 20C and 20D)?
Also, I’ve heard that there is a 1 year English requirement for certain med schools as well, and UCSD (at all of the 6 colleges I believe) only has 2 quarters of writing? What do I do in this regard?
@Gumbymom Guess I forgot to mention this: I asked my counselors, the premed advisers, and the biology advisers; all had different opinions on what to do and they weren’t too sure on top of that
You might want to PM @WayOutWestMom whom seems to be the resident expert on Medical school admissions.
I find your comment about taking the “easiest path” a bit disconcerting since Medical school is far from an easy path. You should get use to challenging yourself now or you will never make it through Medical school.
@Gumbymom Sure thing, I’ll message the user; thanks for letting me know.
My philosophy on the easiest path is not that I’m a lazy person, it’s just that why should I have to go through Math that is at the engineering standard (20 series) when I don’t have to; especially because those who never passed the AP calculus exams can take 10 A/B. Am I essentially being punished for having done well on those AP exams?
@Gumbymom Well that would be such a waste of credits, but it’s something I’ve tried looking into nonetheless. The counselors here have no idea if that’s a thing and suggested that I don’t do it (for reasons they couldn’t explain). Should I try contacting the main UC office?
@Gumbymom In addition to my previous comment, I forgot to mention that I was told that to remove AP credits, I would have to remove all of them (hence why its “such a waste”).
I know several students that had AP credits for Calculus AB/BC but opted to retake one or both Calculus courses in college to help reinforce the information. Not sure why UCSD will not let you opt out of the credits and let you take the Math 10 series?
Removing all the AP credits makes no sense since they are different subject areas?
@Gumbymom I’m very aware of how ridiculous this is
Do you know who else I could speak to in regards to AP credits? My college counselors are incompetent in this regard
Also, I could retake the series if I have AP credit, but for half credit (2 as opposed to 4).
Here is there policy on their AP sheet: A student cannot receive credit for a UC San Diego course that duplicates AP credit. Where the chart says “exempt” or “equal to a UC San Diego course number,” that course may not be taken for credit. Students who are fluent
in a language other than English should not overlook the opportunity to get AP credit by taking the foreign/literature exams.
You could contact the Math department to see what they say but since it does state you can take the classes for 1/2 credit, then that is what I would do. This way you have a record of the courses for your Med school application and hopefully A’s in the classes to help boost that all important GPA. Yes, a waste but it still meets your goal of not having to take the Engineering math series.
@Gumbymom The thing about half credit is that I’d have to take 10A and 10B to fulfull “1 quarter” (4 units). On top of those, I’d have to take 10C. ahh well; I think I should look into which schools I want to apply to first.
Would taking math courses for half credit have any repercussions on my med school application btw?
@Gumbymom Most that I have looked at say a year (3 quarters) of Calculus + Stats; pretty ambiguous.
Also just talked to my (useless) counselors again; they stated that I would not be able to remove AP credits I guess that I’ll have to take 20C and 20D (engineering standard math)
