AP courses vs. Community College courses

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>My high school sophmore received an A in a CC Biology course that counts for CC and Univ of CA credit as well as a full year of Bio in high school. He could end up taking 3 semesters of calculus, 3 semesters of Chem and 3 semesters of Bio before graduating–possibly saving an entire year of college.</p>

<li><p>Will this help his Ivy League application over someone who took AP courses?</p></li>
<li><p>Since he will major in sciences in college, will it matter that the basic science (pre-med) courses were taken in a Community College?</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>This sounds more like it belongs in the College Admissions forum, then in here. o_o</p>

3

<p>Even so, I'll answer.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>No. Ivy Leagues know that CC intro freshmen courses are much easier than most senior-level AP courses at a college prep school. Now, if the high school doesn't offer AP, then that's a different story.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. The science courses may or may not be able to count toward his major. It all depends on the school.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>from my experience, community college is WAAAY easier than AP. It's MUCH better to take AP courses that the school offers over taking the same courses at a community college.</p>

5

<p>Yet, for med school - AP credit is NOT accepted. They have to take the class in college for it to count towards the admission requirement. As far as taking those classes at a community college - it is generally thought that your premeds should be taken at the 4 year school although one premed class at a cc probably won't hurt your chances, especially if your science grades remain strong throughout college.</p>

6

<p>AP credit definitely counts for med school, as long as you receive actual class credit for a class at your college (ie. AP Bio counts for 6 semester hours of intro to biology). And technically, so should CC credit, though some med schools look down on that if you take it while enrolled in another college, such as taking organic chem at a local CC for a higher grade. Not sure how they view it while in high school though... My guess is that it's similar to AP credit; as long as the college where you get your degree accepts it, you're fine.</p>