October 24, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR KHAN VU IN TX
Every medical school has specific prerequisites for science and math courses. Remember, you are required to take these courses not only to apply for medical school, but also to learn and score well on the MCAT.

I'm not sure about med schools outside of TX, but in order to apply for a Texas medical school, you must complete and pass at least 1/2 year (1 semester) of calculus. Some medical schools may accept statistics as your math credit, but you'll have to check into that. Keep in mind though, if you decide to major in a science-related field, you will probably need to take up through Calculus II. For the most part, the actual number of semesters you spend taking math courses will depend on you. You may be able to decrease the number of semesters of math courses if you AP (advance placement) out of them. You may even AP out of all the math prerequisites if you are that proficient in math. Ask your highschool guidance counselor or the college interview committee regarding whether advance placement is accepted at the colleges for which you are applying.

You can find out more about prerequisites by going to a search engine, eg Google, and typing in "prerequisites for medical school". You can type in for schools specifically in Kentucky.
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October 23, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR REBECCA HOLMQUIST IN INDIANA
I would recommend taking as much math as possible. Even if you do not
feel confident with the math, when you go to college you have some
familiarity with it. I was originally planning on going to medical
school and I was required to take math through the calculus level. I
had taken calculus in high school, but felt like I did not really grasp
it. In college, I took college level calculus and did great.
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A: FROM MENTOR NHA LE IN TX
Hello,
I want to comment on Erin R's question about what math courses are required for medical school entry. Right now i'm applying for medical school 2004 acceptance and the required maths are 8 credit of math, mainly Calculus. Calculus consists of I, II, and III. Sometimes a university requires Calculus III or Statistics and these would also count toward the 8 hrs credit requirement. But as far as medical school is concerned 8 hours credit of math, Calculus and/or Statistics suffices. Hope this helps and best of luck.
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A: FROM MENTOR LESLIE WAITE IN CA
Hi Erin!
I do research at a medical school, and I currently have a medical
student working here in my lab, so I asked her your question. Here is
what she said:
All medical schools require that you take one year of physics in
college as a prerequisite to medical school. Most colleges require
that you take calculus in order to take physics. So- you should count
on taking one semester or quarter of calculus.
She mentioned one other thing that is really important as well. Be
sure when you take these classes, that you are not just taking them
to get through them, or "get the grade". Really work to understand
the material on a deeper level. Remember that each course is a
stepping stone to the next level. In other words, you take calculus
so that you can understand physics. You do better in physics because
you understand the calculus. If you then work to understand the
physics, it will make it easier to do well on that part of the MCATs,
which will help you get to medical school. This philosophy will be
true for virtually all of your classes in science; truly working for
understanding now will make it easier for you later.
Good luck!
Leslie
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A: FROM MENTOR MARTY WOELFEL IN KY
Dear Erin,
Medical schools require that students have math through
collegiate-level calculus. How many math courses you will have to take
in college will depend a whole lot on which math courses you take in
high school, how well you understand what is in those courses, and how
well you remember the material. Many colleges allow for some type of
"math placement" based on test scores and performance. So work hard on
your math now so it won't be a barrier to you later!
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A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DIONISIO IN CA
Most med schools require a full year of college calculus and some require a statistics class.