According to the WashU site:
“Students who wish to exempt either the first or second semester of general chemistry, including the labs, must pass a placement exam administered by the Department of Chemistry during the first week of classes in the fall.”
I took AP Chem - got a 5 and SAT 800. I’m in intro to organic chem now. Does anyone know how difficult it is to pass this test the WashU chem department gives or if the class is the next class (I assume is orgo) difficult for freshmen?
I want to do chem/pre med and I was just wondering if I should skip general chem straight into orgo. I know some washU kids take orgo over the summer at a local university - maybe I could skip general chem and do that too?
See how well you do on the GenChem placement test. If you do well enough and are allowed to skip, do so. GenChem first semester is more about orbital structure (son’s professor called it baby quantum mechanics).
Chemistry majors are not allowed to take Organic Chemistry outside of WashU. Biology majors do not have that restriction.
Organic Chemistry is extremely brutal at WashU. Son’s friends currently taking it are telling some horror stories. Not the most ideal class for a freshman to take/suffer through.
Some people would advise that you should go through the GenChem sequence, then use that foundation to progress to Orgo. See what your 4 year advisor says. Or send an email to the Chemistry department to solicit their advice.