I was told by a teacher that when thinking of medical school in college, it is safe to assume that no medical schools accept ap credits, so you can have all requirements filled. But Medical school from my current knowledge at lease, is very competitive. So how does one take higher level courses (and have a rigorous/competitive coursework ?
Some medical schools accept some AP credits. Policies vary by school. But schools that do accept AP credits strong recommend or require that an applicant take additional upper level coursework to supplement the AP credits.
For example, if an applicants has AP credits for biology and is given credit by their undergrad college for Introductory bio 1 &2. To be competitive applicant that student would need to take at least 2 more upper level biology electives (with labs) to be considered for a med school admission. The same would be true if the student had AP credits in chemistry and was allowed to skip Gen Chem 1 & 2–the student would take Ochem 1 & 2, Biochem plus 2 additional chemistry electives with labs (probably Pchem or analytical chemistry)
Are there any medical schools that do not accept substitution of higher level courses for intro level premed courses skipped with AP credit (as in the examples in reply #1)?
With the widespread implementation of competency-based admission policies by LCME-accredited schools in 2016, I don’t believe there are any allopathic med schools that still require specific introductory level courses to fulfill admission requirements. Requirements now say “coursework” in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, or at minimum a year of studies in each of these fields: biology, chemistry, organic chemistry etc
I don’t know the AOA’s stance on this, though, so osteopathic schools may still have specific course requirements.
If I decide to retake my ap courses in college, how would I take rigorous courses in college? How would I move up levels?
Unlike undergraduate colleges, med schools do not evaluate course rigor - it’s assumed. That said, there are many higher level courses in bio/chem/etc offered,
The same way you would if don’t retake your AP credit classes–by taking challenging upper level electives in your major and in the sciences.
Once you complete your intro level coursework in a particular subject area, you’re allowed/required to enroll in upper, more challenging classes. Your major will have a list of upper level elective & required classes you need to complete from to fulfill your degree requirements. The same is true for your minor if you have one. Science majors will have required co-reqs (often in other upper level sciences) you need to complete to fulfill degree requirements.
Since you’ve mentioned Yake–here’s Yale’s degree requirements for a molecular biology major: http://catalog.yale.edu/ycps/subjects-of-instruction/molecular-biophysics-biochemistry/
Plenty of rigor in the required coursework.
An AP class is a 4-month introductory college class spread out over ten months. Think that an AP class is to college what a 9th grade regular class is to high school- the easiest class you’ll take. So, how do you demonstrate rigor? Just by taking college classes and taking senior-level classes you’ll have plenty of rigor. If you’re in an honors college you can sometimes take graduate level classes (1 grad class = 2 undergrad classes).