AP Biology in Junior or Senior year for BS/MD?

Hi, I am a rising junior hoping to get into a reputed BS/MD. I have taken AP Calc AB and BC (5/5) and AP Chemistry (4/5) in my sophomore year. My GPA, all ECs, clubs at high school, volunteering, Doctor shadowing, summer research etc are all intact.

My question is do you suggest a BS/MD applicant to take AP Biology in junior year or senior year? How important is it to have finished AP Biology exam (hopefully with a 4 or a 5) and SAT II in Biology before the fall of senior year? The AP Biology teacher in my high school is notorious for hard grading due to which all the advice I get from folks in high school is to push AP Bio to the senior year.

I have been working hard to cover all aspects of my BS/MD application and I don’t want this AP Biology to ruin the chances - either by getting a low score in junior year (remember, teacher is pretty tough) or by not writing the AP and SAT II exams before tthe application deadline because I take AP Bio in the senior year.

Please advice!

I got into a couple of BSMD programs. I took AP Biology my senior year without the AP exam or SAT subject testing.

@apbiobsmd It has no bearing to your selection for BS/MD program.

  1. AP BIO, students have got selected or not selected for all possible scenarios (took in junior or senior or not taken). My D who is a BS/MD student took it in Senior year.
  2. SAT II Bio, only a handful of programs wants students to take SAT II. So if you are applying for that, it is better to do it before fall of your application cycle.
  3. Don't assume you will get selected in any specific program however strong your profile. So apply to variety of programs (top, middle to low) and different program focus etc to have a better chance of selection if you are so particular about BS/MD program.

Thank you for the quick reply @cheegyxd. Which BS/MD programs did you get into? Did you end up choosing to go that route or the traditional undergrad route? Is there anything that you wish you had known in high school while choosing BS/MD vs traditional route? Which part of your application do you think made a difference in getting your admission? I wish to gain more insight into whys and hows of BS/MD programs, so any pointers you are able to provide will be helpful. Thank you!

Hello @GoldenRock. Thank you for the advice. Which program is your daughter in? I have come across several consultants who provide guidance for BS/MD applicants. Have you used any such services? If so, could you recommend one?

I am planning to apply to a handful of BS/MD programs along with a handful of traditional undergrad programs as the acceptance rate for BS/MD is quite low. AP Bio is a yearlong course in my high school, so, I will take the SAT II Biology in December of senior year when at least half of the content is covered. I have already taken SAT II Math and SAT II Chemistry. I will be able to take SAT II Physics and Spanish by then. Thank you again for the advice.