<p>I got a 3 on the AP Chem test and a 710 on the subject test. The AP test really hurt me--I didn't study that much. =( Do I have to get a 5 on the AP test to be eligible for orgo at duke? It says these guidelines are "recommended", but does it mean "required"? </p>
<p>Also, I heard intro chem is harder than orgo because they try to weed out all the pre-med people. Are they talking about chem 20D? How difficult is Chem 31L? Chem 31L sounds just like my AP chem class in high school. I really don't want to take that over again...</p>
<p>You really should have a 5 to enter orgo. I’m not sure if it’s a hard requirement but considering the fact that everyone else in the class will have a good grasp of gen chem and it seems like you really don’t (from your scores), you could be in a world of hurt by jumping into orgo (ie your GPA may tank). </p>
<p>Also, correct me if I’m wrong but Duke doesn’t give chem credit for a 3, which means you won’t even have the prerequisite needed for orgo. So the computer system wouldn’t let you sign up anyway. </p>
<p>As for gen chem, it’s not harder than chem. There is, however, more competition because many people with 5s on AP chem would try to delay orgo and either take 31 or 43 as a refresher (mostly 43) plus they are somewhat gunner premeds too. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend taking chem 20D unless you have no idea what chemistry is, never seen a periodic table before, can’t balance a chemical equation, and have never been taught that matter is composed of atoms. I think it literally is the first 10 chapters of basic stuff that chem 31 skips because everyone already learned it. Plus it doesn’t give you a prerequisite to take orgo so you’ll have to take chem 31 after chem 20D. I think they also give a pseudo-placement test to chem 20D and 31 students to root out people looking for an easy A. </p>
<p>Finally, if you aren’t confident about gen chem, I’d recommend going no further until you are because you’ll regret it in orgo and MCAT and biochem and beyond.</p>