<p>I'm going to major in Biology in undergrad and go to PhD program related to stem cell and regenerative medicine. Since I can transfer over 40 credit gained from AP tests, I can take many advanced classes in undergrad, including grad-level courses. I think I will spend my undergrad period in UMich or some research university of the same level, so could you tell me how many grad-level courses I can take there and how many credits I can transfer to my grad program? If I can transfer many credits, I want to take as many such classes as possible before graduating, in order to satisfy my intellectual curiosity and take an advantage which is similar to the one I got from my AP credits. I understand schools have different policies, and they are case by case. I want to know how taking grad-level courses in undergrad is profitable and possibly shortens or alleviates my coursework in grad school. </p>
<p>You usually can’t transfer graduate courses taken as an undergraduate to a graduate program (with the exception being dual degree programs where courses count for both degrees in a structured program offered by the university.) Moving from undergrad to graduate school is not the same as moving from high school to undergrad.</p>
<p>Since you would like to get a PhD, the bulk of your time in graduate school will not be focused on classwork, but on research. Your AP credits will give you more flexibility in undergrad, but it likely won’t have a domino effect into shortening your time in graduate school. The AP credit could let you graduate early or, as you point out, take upper level and graduate courses. This second option would make prepare you very well for graduate school and help demonstrate interest to potential programs, but it likely won’t mean you spend less time working on your PhD. You could also use this as a chance to get involved in research earlier (since you will already have some the background that PIs are looking for in undergrad research assistants). Your research experience is one of the most important factors in graduate school admissions. This would be a good place to focus your efforts since you will have more flexibility.</p>
<p>I also started my undergrad with a lot of credits for IB/AP - 45, to be exact. I have used my extra time to add a minor in computer science (which is really useful for research), write an honors thesis, get very involved in a lab, and do 3 full-time research co-ops. There are a lot of ways you can make your AP credits work for you, but if you want to get a PhD, shortening grad school probably isn’t one of them.</p>
<p>Thanks for your comment with full of valuable, helpful information! It was really important for me to learn that it is not allowed to transfer credits from undergrad to grad. I will spend as much time for research as possible, both because of my enthusiasm for it and because it’s the most important task for the future scientists. I’m really glad to learn about this stuff from a person who once had the same situation with mine. </p>
<p>It stil may be in your best interests to take graduate courses if you have the opportunity. While the graduate program may not allow you to transfer, it might waive the courses you have already taken or if they still require you to take the courses. You will have the advantage of having seen it already. Speak to your academic advisor about it once you get to your Sophomore year. You can discuss your ultimate goals and get advice on how to best achieve them.</p>