AP Physics B or AP Chemistry for pre-med?

<p>Hey everyone, I am finishing AP Biology this year and need to choose an AP science for next year. I cannot take both because I do not have enough periods in the school day. I have taken a chemistry honors course last year and a physics course this year. I would like to know which would both be more fitting for a pre-med major or which should I take if it could potentially take the place for a med prerequisite. I am curious about which is considered a harder course in college for a pre-med major, Inorganic chem or Physics. I feel that if I can receive AP credit for the more challenging course in high school now, I may be able to spare my undergrad GPA for med school later.</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>-Justin</p>

<p>I would say take the one that you like best. </p>

<p>Physics would be good to take because most colleges give you credit for AP. And then after that you don't have to take it. Also most want you to take Chem again even if you've passed the AP exam.</p>

<p>"AP Credit"</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=214382%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=214382&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>bluedevilmike, I realize that not many prestigous medical schools take AP credit but, from what I have seen some state medical schools do accept AP credit ie: University of Arizona. So the best case scenario would be knocking out a prereq while in high school, while sparing my undergrad GPA. Which would be awesome.</p>

<p>I just don't think it's ever a good idea to restrict the pool of schools to which you can apply.</p>

<p>Actually I would say the opposite of sciencenerd above. I say take the one you are not too good at so that you get better at that subject, thus when you take it in college you will be ready (and your gpa wont suffer).</p>

<p>id take chem, because you'll be taking a lot of chemistry (two years plus labs, plus biochem) so a really solid foundation would be helpful.</p>

<p>I was thinking of saying AP Chem, but you could finish off physics in high school. A lot of people really hate physics and don't wanna take it in college. At this point I woudl say take whichever one would be fun for you. Like if chem has a fun teacher then take that.</p>

<p>I took both AP Chem and AP Physics. My recommendation would be to take AP Physics because it is so much harder. After taking the AP exam and comparing physics to chem, I would take physics because most medical schools want you to take all med school requirements in college -- with one of them being physics. So I would take physics b/c it is widely considered harder than chem and you will probably need to retake both in college regardless..</p>

<p>For premed you should probably take physics again in college, since many med schools will require a physics course taken IN COLLEGE.</p>

<p>You should definitely take chemistry again since most college intro chem courses are more complete and rigorous than the AP syllabus. That means that you will be behind compared to classmates when you take organic. Not a good place to be.</p>

<p>So... if you are going to take both physics and chem in college, then take in high school the AP that 1. interests you or 2. fits your schedule or 3. that you think will be more difficult for you so that you are better prepared when you take it in college.</p>

<p>I definitely don't think your first year is the hardest. It certainly wasn't for me.</p>