I’m a junior and currently deciding on my senior year classes. I’m torn between taking statistics and pre-calculus. I’m planning to major in neuroscience and pursue a pre-med track.
When I shadowed an internal medicine doctor, she advised me to choose statistics, as it appears on the MCAT. However, some teachers at my school recommend pre-calculus for students heading into the health field. What should I do?
It’s great that you’re considering your class options carefully, especially as you plan for a major in neuroscience and the pre-med track! Both statistics and pre-calculus have their merits, but given your goal, statistics might be the more beneficial choice.
Like the doctor you shadowed mentioned, statistics is heavily emphasized on the MCAT and is crucial for understanding research studies, which are integral to medicine and neuroscience. Additionally, having a solid grasp of statistics can help you interpret data and scientific literature effectively, skills that are important in any medical field.
On the other hand, pre-calculus can provide a strong foundation for calculus, which is useful if you plan to take advanced math courses in college. However, if you feel confident in your math skills and plan to take calculus later, you might prioritize statistics now.
Ultimately, consider where you feel you need the most support and which subject aligns better with your interests in neuroscience and medicine. If you’re leaning toward statistics based on your future studies, it would be a solid choice. Good luck!