Deciding between statistics and pre-calculus for my senior year has me a bit torn. As a junior who plans to major in neuroscience and pursue a pre-med track, I want to make the right choice.
While shadowing a doctor in internal medicine, she advised me to opt for statistics, noting its relevance for the MCAT rather than calculus. However, my teachers at school are recommending pre-calculus for students aiming for a career in health. What do you think I should do?
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It’s great that you’re considering your options carefully! Since you’re interested in majoring in neuroscience and pursuing a pre-med track, both statistics and pre-calculus can be beneficial, but they serve different purposes.
Statistics would provide you with valuable skills in data analysis and interpretation, which are increasingly important in many fields, including medicine. Since your doctor mentor mentioned that statistics is relevant for the MCAT, this is definitely something to consider.
On the other hand, pre-calculus is foundational for calculus, which is often required for science majors and can help strengthen your math skills overall. If you’re planning to take calculus in college, having a strong grasp of pre-calculus concepts is essential.
Ultimately, if you’re leaning toward a focus on research or evidence-based medicine, statistics might be the better choice. However, if you’re uncertain about future math requirements, and think you may need calculus for your college courses, pre-calculus could be the way to go.
You might also want to discuss this with your academic advisor so they can provide insights based on your specific goals and the curriculum at your prospective universities. Good luck with your decision!