<p>I am currently picking classes for my Fall Semester at Cal. Based on what I've been hearing from current students and CalSo leaders, I am not sure about Chemistry. I am intended Pre-Med but have been hearing that CHEM 1A is brutal for those that don't have AP Chem experience, which i am one of them. The most I've taken was normal Chemistry as a Junior with a not so great teacher. I was also encouraged to enroll in CHEM P to prepare me for 1A. Would current students recommend me taking CHEM P and falling behind a semester or diving into CHEM 1A?</p>
<p>Does your major require a long prerequisite sequence that starts with Chemistry 1A? If not, then “falling behind” by a semester may not be an issue.</p>
<p>Normal high school chemistry is the listed prerequisite for Chemistry 1A.</p>
<p>You won’t really fall behind, you just won’t be done with your chem pre-reqs by 1st semester 2nd year. One reason why they always suggest not doing chem 1a fall semester is because it is a pre med weeder class so the curve is tough. In my opinion, though, I think that’s bs and you should just go into chem 1a if you’re premed.</p>
<p>Keep in mind Chem 1A in spring semester is an easy A though</p>