<p>Should I take the AP and IB credits I have for Intro Bio and Intro Chem despite them both being required classes for medical school admissions? Is that advisable? Or, should I retake the classes and try to master the subject material?</p>
<p>I would suggest taking your Intro Bio credit and running with it. Some of my friends say Intro Bio is pretty hard here. In place of that, you should take more upper level biology classes. I thought Intro Chem was pretty manageable here. I even took Organic Chem with it (no AP credit btw, just high score on placement). From what I heard from kids with AP Chem, some say it was easy and some thought it was hard, depending on how well their teachers prepped them, so it is up to you on how comfortable you are with the material.</p>
<p>Most medical schools will not accept AP credits for prerequisite classes. The ones we have looked at will only accept them if you take a higher level course in college in the subject.</p>
<p>This has been discussed frequently on the Pre-Med Topics forum, so you might want to do a search there. People have different opinions, depending on how good a foundation you got in your AP courses, and how concerned you are about grades.</p>
<p>My D did what KW suggests, took the credit so that she wouldn't have to rehash the basics again. However, that will mean her taking two upper level bio classes; this actually won't be too bad as she plans to take physiology, and either genetics or cell bio as prep for the MCATS. And in addition to a year of OChem, she'll take biochem (also before the MCATS) and one other upper level chem course.</p>
<p>One other possible consideration, the AP credits will count towards your standing, and will put you at sop level and higher tuition sooner.</p>
<p>"One other possible consideration, the AP credits will count towards your standing, and will put you at sop level and higher tuition sooner."</p>
<p>Well, when I decided to take the 20 credits I had from IB/AP, it was primarily based on the tuition consideration that it would be more economical in the long run. I hope to study in the summers (perhaps at another university) and graduate in three years. This will save me, conceivable, one year of OOS costs (which are staggering, and keep going up). </p>
<p>I think my Pre-Health academic adviser knows more than swimcatsmom on this issue of credits/placement. I aced the chem placement test and she told me I was prepared for organic chemistry, and should not waste my time taking gen chem. I can see myself taking a higher level biology course (possibly microbiology, genetics, etc) but do you think it will be necessary to take an advanced inorganic chem class (like physical chemistry: very difficult, perhaps more so than orgo)</p>
<p>Go to this thread on the Pre-Med Topics forum:</p>
<p>You need two years of chem with lab and most med schools don't accept AP Chem credit towards that requirement, so yes you would need to take another year of advanced chem in addition to a year of OC.</p>
<p>Be careful with Intro Bio, especially 171 (in my experience so far). I was generally pretty good on that stuff, but some of the things that were taught and tested on, really caught me off guard. My GPA took a huge hit and well, I've learned never to take that class for granted anymore. </p>
<p>I've heard 172 is even harder =/</p>