<p>Would any premed students out there know if it's better to use AP credit on science courses or take them again? I know many med schools don't take AP credit and want you to take the class again...or would you recommend taking an upper division course in that area right away? Thanks.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t use them and just get the better grade by retaking the courses?</p>
<p>I would use the credits. Its a misconception to retake the class saying that it is easier to get a good grade.</p>
<p>In actuality, the classes give grades based on a certain percentage. IE- Top 10% get As, next x% gets Bs, etc. etc.</p>
<p>If you have a bunch of people getting the same idea (which I can guarantee is going to happen), you’re pretty much competing with people just as smart to get the good grade (which you will definitely need if you want to get into med-school).</p>
<p>I see what both of you are saying, and this brings up another question I have - how much of the material covered in upper classes builds on lower ones? For example, say I wanted to use AP credit for Biology. Would not having taken the class at UCSD put me at a disadvantage when taking the next level class?</p>
<p>Also, does this mean I’m screwed if I take an introductory level class that was offered as an AP I did not take, thus I’d be competing with people who had already taken the AP and were taking the UCSD class just to boost their GPA?</p>
<p>if u take the AP test, u can’t take the class for credits…so it’s up to you.
if u feel prepped enough to skip a college class, then take it.
if not, then don’t take it.
i know a lot of ppl regret taking ap chem test 'cause it’s much harder at SD [i’m taking it anyway…]
my guess is you’d have to review some old stuff b4 taking the next level, not sure tho 
so, if u take the intro class, ur taking a class with ppl who took the ap class but not the test, failed the test, or never took the ap class.</p>
<p>Every class builds on top of each other. Its like how you cant do calculus without having done Algebra first. But you have to remember, the opening chapters of the book generally tend to be a refresher on the stuff you already should have learned. Besides, like ^ said, you wont get credits for it. So its as if you are taking a class and just wasting your time and money whereas you could be moving on. Besides, you can always get a tutor as well (which I’m sure everyone will need to get anyways) who can refresh you on stuff. All in all, I dont think you’d be at a disadvantage if you are diligent with your work.</p>
<p>If you are taking an introductory level, then there is a high chance that you wont be screwed. But thats not to say that you shouldnt work hard to ensure that you do fairly well against those who may have taken that AP class before.</p>
<p>Is it possible just to not report my AP tests and retake everything? And what do you mean by “not take for credit”? I know most medical schools require that you take certain basic classes. Does this mean I’d have to take them anyways but they won’t count towards my GPA (pass/no pass)?</p>
<p>You’ll still get the grade (depending on the class it could be a pass/not pass). It just wont benefit you when it comes down to getting credits for you GE and towards graduating. So its pretty much like taking a class in high school. If you have already done a class and completed it but there is another class you MUST take to graduate and you opt to take the class you’ve already completed, it wont benefit you when you are trying to get the credits needed to graduate</p>
<p>Avilboy, the bell curve like system that you’re describing is something I’ve only seen so far in one class alone, BILD3. BILD1, Chem 6CH, Physics 2a, and Chem 6BH ESPECIALLY so do not grade by such a standard. I’m pretty sure half the class got a B in 6BH even though everyone basically failed the class. The teacher just set the cutoff for an A at a very very generous point. My poli sci classes also went with an absolute grading system.</p>
<p>I think it’s more common for teachers of lower div classes to have a more absolute system rather than a bell curve especially when it’s expected that the material is “easy.” I think that the only reason that there’s a bell curve of that sort for my BILD3 class is because there’s almost 500 people in it!</p>
<p>As for the original question, it has already been answered, but I’ll pound it in some more. The choice over whether you use your AP credit or not is determined when you say that you want your AP scores reported. This is so most people who have a huge advantage by seeing the material previously in an AP course don’t destroy people who have never learned the stuff before! Nevertheless, I’d recommend that you send in as many scores as you can. Maybe not Chem though because it is generally regarded as difficult, but if you’re good at it, send it in. If you can get AP Bio credit, send it in DEFINITELY! Physics C? Just be prepared for the 2 series which is definitely not a walk in the park. </p>
<p>Chances are that even with all your AP credit that you won’t be able to skip straight to upper divs. Technically, with AP chemistry, you’ll be able to jump straight into organic chem, but I’ve heard a LOT of horror stories about people who did just that. It’s not pretty, and you can maybe take a break your first year instead. Take out some of your GE’s instead (with some science classes) and have fun instead! That’s what I did with the 72 credits I rode in with.</p>
<p>I’m not a pro at the whole med school thing, but I heard they really look for Chem 6BL. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I get the impression that a lot of lower divs just aren’t important to med schools. Bild1 is about the cell. You should know this. As for chem, you’ll have the option to take the honor series, and you probably won’t be able to pass out of all your lower div physics classes. All in all, I hope this helped! Hope this post wasn’t too long!</p>
<p>Moose.</p>
<p>Edit: I saw the question about classes building on each other, and in my opinion, it’s really not that important. The only series where it’s slightly important is chemistry (which you’re already mandated to take in order), but even classes that you’re mandated to take in order like physics series just aren’t that interconnected at all. You can take the lower div bio series any way you want to. Want to take Bild1 last for some odd reason? You’ll be able to, and chances are that you’ll be fine. Bild3 isn’t pulling out anything related to Bild1 except for a brief reference to Mendel or the use of the word chromosome. I haven’t taken Bild2 yet and there really hasn’t been a disadvantage in my mind. The order of the bio series should be the least of your worries.</p>
<p>Sure, material builds on itself, but not in the way that it works in math in a lot of these science courses. Heck, after 20a,20b,20c (all calculus), you can take 20D,20e,20f in any order you want (given you have to take these). My 20d teacher even wished that we took 20f before 20d.</p>
<p>You may be right DCMoose about the bell curve.</p>
<p>I’ve been basing my answers about the bell curve on the classes my sisters took at UCLA when they went there. I just figured that since it was a UC as well the classes should generally be the same.</p>
<p>But it also depends on the professor. Each class is different too. So if you (JTC) want to avoid the bell curve system, just look into some of the classes.</p>
<p>Would you guys happen to know of any sites where you can look up professors’ ratings/grade distributions? Or is it better to just ask upperclassmen? By the way, I’m thinking of doing bioengineering/premed.</p>
<p>I decided not to show my AP scores and retook all the classes.</p>
<p>I’m glad I did.</p>
<p>Having the AP background helps a lot, but it still doesn’t mean E-Z A. The AP Bio program at my school sucked so I was so thankful for being able to take BILD again…the AP Chem rocked me in high school, but when I came here, it was relatively easy. So it’s a hit or miss in some cases. Math was in the middle…I took the 20 series, so it was in between. I’m sure if I had chosen to take the 10 series, it would be in the easy category.</p>
<p>The only thing that screwed me over was that I didn’t get the units from AP (duh), which pushed back my enrollment time so I wasn’t able to get some of the times I wanted, but I dealt with it.</p>
<p>It seems like it’s better to retake the class now. The only problem is I self-reported some AP scores on my UC application. Will they check those over again? Also, if I’m a regents scholar and have priority enrollment anyways the units from AP won’t matter right?</p>
<p>Why would you want to not report the AP credits unless they won’t let you take the classes for grade?</p>
<p>That’s what I’m afraid of…that I won’t be able to take it for a grade. Otherwise I will definitely report my AP score. I still don’t have a straight answer since I know I will have to retake the classes anyways for premed requirements, yet I’d like to be able to get a grade.</p>
<p>I listed mine on the application, but never sent in the scores. They never checked or cared.*</p>
<p>*as of three years ago. I don’t know what the policy is now.</p>