Will College Physics I instead of University Physics I dramatically decrease my acceptance chances?

[TommyX123]

I’m currently an upcoming junior biology major registering for classes at the moment and I came across the choice of registering for College Physics or University Physics. University Physics is considered more rigorous and according to my friends’ advisors, they recommend University Physics to get accepted into schools like the Grafton School at Tufts.

However, it requires one of several given math classes and one math class I’ve already taken is not included but fulfills my math requirement already. College Physics does not require this and I am eligible to register for that. This would mean that if I were to take University Physics I, then I would take an additional math class that does not serve any purpose except to let me take University Physics.

This is based off the idea that I’ve been told that college physics may not be enough and university physics should be taken to increase my chances of getting into vet school.

Is it worth spending the extra money and time on a prerequisite only useful for taking another class and adding an extra set of credits to take University Physics I to boost my application in vet school or is it worth just taking College Physics I?

In essence, could a vet school like say, Tufts, make or break my application based on if I register for University or College Physics assuming I keep everything else stable? Vet school seems to be harder to get into, and I don’t necessarily know what they tend to weigh more of in my future application.

[MYOS1634]

Can you check the catalog and see if University Physics is calculus based v. College physics is algebra-based?
If that’s the difference, there’s no problem for med or vet school, you can take college physics.
BTW do not fixate on one school - apply to many (20) and keep your fingers crossed you get into one thanks to your excellent grades, leadership, internships/volunteering in relevant fields…

[ECmotherx2]

BTW, it’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts. It is located in North Grafton. Below is the description of what they are looking for in their physics requirements-you will have to check the course catalog for descriptions of the two physics courses offered to see which more closely matches the requirements below. It is also VERY important that you consult the preprofessional advisor at your university:
Physics (two semesters)
A one-year physics course intended for students entering veterinary or medical school. Course topics would ideally include kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; laws of conservation; elasticity; oscillations and fluid mechanics; principles of classical and relativistic mechanics; electromagnetism and electrical circuits; heat and thermodynamics; sound and wave phenomena; geometrical and physical optics; radioactivity; atomic nuclear, and particle physics; astrophysics.

As an aside, your best chance for admission to vet school is into your own state’s vet school.

[momocarly]

If you are not sure you could get the course descriptions of each class and send it to Tufts and ask if they are acceptable. Most of the vet schools accept an algebra based physics class. I know that is all my son took and he has been accepted at vet school. Then there are some schools that have physics for non science majors. Those courses are generally not accepted by vet schools.

I do agree that you shouldn’t target only one vet school unless it is your in state and the only one you feel you can afford.