Does UW med school require calculus?

The University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine doesn't strictly require calculus as a hard prerequisite but strongly recommends it, often alongside statistics, as part of advanced math preparation for their MD program and other health professions. While some specific programs or related fields might lean more towards statistics (like Medical Laboratory Science), calculus is generally seen as beneficial for developing analytical skills needed in medicine and for preparing for the MCAT.

Is calculus required for medical school?

Math and Statistics – Recommended

However, some medical schools only require 1 semester of calculus and 1 semester of statistics. As long as your major doesn't require it, you can plan to take 1 semester of calculus and 1 semester of statistics.

Do medical doctors have to take calculus?

Calculus is not a math subject required by medical colleges, generally speaking taking calculus can strengthen your application, bearing in mind that medical school applications are competitive. In order to take calculus, you have to pass advanced math courses like Algebra and Trigonometry.

How hard is it to get into UW Med?

For the 2025 entering class, the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) received 5,077 applications. Of those, 275 students matriculated. That makes the University of Washington School of Medicine acceptance rate around 5.42%. Compared to most public medical schools, that's selective.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often around the average or slightly below for highly selective MD programs, but strong enough for many schools, especially with an upward trend and a good MCAT score. A 3.7 combined with a strong BCPM (Science) GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) and compelling extracurriculars makes you a viable applicant, though lower GPAs might need more exceptional scores or experiences to compensate. 

The BEST PRE-MED MAJOR | Proven By Med School Acceptance Data

Can I get into Harvard Med with a 3.8 GPA?

Yes, you can get into Harvard Medical School (HMS) with a 3.8 GPA, as it's within the range of successful applicants (average ~3.9), but it's not a guarantee; your extremely high MCAT score (aim for 520+), exceptional research, clinical experience, volunteering, strong essays, and stellar recommendations are crucial to stand out against other high-achievers. A 3.8 is strong, but HMS is highly competitive, so you need a truly outstanding application beyond just grades to show you're visionary, compassionate, and self-motivated. 

Is a 3.3 GPA bad for med school?

A 3.3 GPA is considered low for medical school, as the average accepted GPA is closer to 3.7-3.8, but it's not impossible; you'll need a strong MCAT, an upward trend in grades, excellent <clinical experience, and a powerful personal narrative to offset it, especially by applying broadly to both MD and DO programs. A low science GPA (BCPM) is a bigger red flag than a strong overall GPA, so focus on improving both, perhaps through a post-bacc. 

Is UW a top 20 medical school?

According to U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Graduate School rankings, University of Washington School of Medicine ranked #1 in the nation for primary care education, and #7 for research. U.S.

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 1% (100th percentile) of test-takers, just three points shy of a perfect 528, making you a top-tier applicant highly competitive for even the most selective medical schools. While exact numbers vary, only a tiny fraction of test-takers (around 1 in 450 or less) achieve scores of 525+, signifying mastery of the material. 

What is the easiest MD school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

Can I skip pre-calculus?

You can skip pre-calculus to take calculus, but it's generally not recommended as pre-calc provides crucial algebraic and trigonometric foundations, making the jump difficult; however, if you're a strong self-starter, consistently score high on math tests, and get approval from your math teacher or counselor, you might succeed by self-studying the key concepts. Skipping is risky, potentially leading to struggling in calculus, but can work if you truly master the prerequisites, especially trigonometry and advanced algebra. 

Did Bill Gates go to Math 55?

Yes, Bill Gates took Math 55 at Harvard, the famously rigorous introductory math course, and reportedly did reasonably well, though not first in the class, as he balanced it with other challenging graduate-level courses and his early work on Microsoft. He took the one-year sequence, covering Honors Abstract Algebra and Honors Real & Complex Analysis, during his freshman year before dropping out. 

Do I need calculus for the MCAT?

The MCAT is primarily a conceptual exam, with little actual mathematical computation. Any math that is on the MCAT is fundamental: just arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry. There is absolutely no calculus on the MCAT.

Do med schools prefer calculus or statistics?

At most, medical schools will require a combination of calculus and statistics, so we'd recommend that you stick with your AP Calc credit plus a semester of statistics later on.

What's the hardest subject in med school?

The hardest class in med school varies by student, but Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroanatomy are consistently cited as the most challenging due to massive memorization, complex concepts, spatial reasoning, and integrating vast amounts of information across disciplines. While some find abstract concepts hard (Biochem, Immunology), others struggle with detailed spatial memorization (Anatomy, Neuroanatomy) or the encyclopedic scope of disease (Pathology). 

Does Johns Hopkins med school require calculus?

Math/Statistics: Calculus I and Calculus II are co-requisites to the physics sequence at Johns Hopkins. In addition to calculus, it is suggested you enroll in a statistics class in preparation for the MCAT and as a requirement for medical schools.

Who took the MCAT 7 times?

Andy took the MCAT exam seven times and applied to medical school twice before getting one interview and acceptance. He reminds premeds to have faith in themselves and that perseverance and grit are important for a career in medicine.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 505?

If you scored 499-505 your first time, you should probably retake the MCAT. If you scored 506-511, you may not need to retake, but you could if you know you'd score much higher — especially if you're applying to Ivy League schools.

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally falls around the 515-520+ range, though the exact score shifts slightly with each testing year's percentiles, with scores like 475-477 often representing the 1st percentile on the total score chart, but a 99th percentile is closer to 520+, requiring near-perfect section scores (131-132) for the highest ranks, with 528 being perfect. 

What is the #1 med school in the world?

There isn't one single "No. 1" medical college, as rankings vary, but Harvard Medical School (USA) consistently ranks at or near the top across major lists like QS and U.S. News, often followed closely by institutions like the University of Oxford (UK), Johns Hopkins University (USA), and Stanford University (USA), with other strong contenders including University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of Pennsylvania (Perelman).
 

What are the big 4 Caribbean med schools?

The "Big Four" Caribbean medical schools, known for strong U.S. residency match rates and eligibility to practice in all 50 states, are St. George's University (SGU), Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), American University of the Caribbean (AUC), and Saba University School of Medicine, with SGU and Ross often considered the largest and most established. These schools offer a pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) to enter competitive U.S. specialties, though accreditation and specific programs vary.
 

What is Tier 1 vs Tier 2 vs Tier 3 medical schools?

Medical school "tiers" (Tier 1, 2, 3) primarily describe groupings by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) based on percentile scores (Tier 1: 85-99, Tier 2: 50-84, Tier 3: 15-49), reflecting research strength, resources, and student achievement, though many top schools now opt out, making them "unranked". Higher tiers generally mean greater research focus, prestige, competitive admissions, and better residency placement, while lower tiers often focus more on primary care or service, with more accessible entry points but still rigorous programs.
 

Is 3.5 too low for med school?

According to US News, aspiring med school students should aim for a 3.5 GPA or higher to be considered for the top medical schools in the country. Getting into med school with a low GPA is certainly possible, but striving for a competitive score is always in your best interest.

Does Harvard accept 3.3 GPA?

It's extremely difficult, but not impossible, to get into Harvard with a 3.3 GPA, as their holistic review heavily favors near-perfect GPAs (averaging 3.9+) for most applicants, but occasionally admits students with much lower grades due to extraordinary achievements, unique talents (like recruited athletes, prodigies), or exceptional circumstances, requiring truly standout essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and high test scores to even be considered. 

How to boost GPA for medical school?

This might mean retaking old courses for a better grade.

1. If your GPA is very low, you might consider spending a year or two taking non-degree or post-bac courses (and acing them). ...
2. Another way of improving your GPA is by enrolling in a Special Master's Program (SMP). ...
3. Consider expanding your school list.