Doing Pre-Med in Three Years at Umich, or Not?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>I graduated from high school this summer with a ton AP credits, 33 in total. It is both my blessing, and, as I now realize, my curse. I was planning for all my years here at UofM when I discovered I can finish all the LSA, premed, and major (biochemistry) requirements in three years with semester average of 14.67 credits spread out over six fall/winter semesters. At first I was excited, especially after I finished putting up a schedule for all of these semesters. But then I started thinking about extracurriculars, internships, studying abroad, and, most importantly, preparing for and taking MCAT and applying to medical schools. Since the plan is to graduate in three years, I only have two summers to do all of these. That's where graduating one year earlier seems like a bad idea. I believe typing my schedule out here will help explain my situation. Please bear with me:</p>

<p>FA 14: 15 cr<br>
CHEM 210/211
MATH 116<br>
ENGLISH 125
UC 105 </p>

<p>WN 15: 16 cr
CHEM 215/216
MATH 215
PHYSICS 240/241
UC 106</p>

<p>FA 15: 15 cr<br>
CHEM 260<br>
CHEM 302
BIO 173
SOC 100
STATS 250</p>

<p>WN 16: 14 cr
CHEM 351
CHEM 352
PSYCH 280
ENGLISH 225</p>

<p>FA 16: 15 cr<br>
MCDB 428
MCDB 429
CHEM 451
CHEM 452</p>

<p>WN 17: 13 cr
MCDB 441
AAPTIS 331
CHEM 453
BIOLOGY 305</p>

<p>As you can see, we need an experienced player here...Anyway, I will be done with the MCAT requirements by the end of the second year. Problem is, the spring/summer following that year is when I need to prepare for then take that test AND apply to medical schools AND probably do the study abroad trip. Is that even doable? I'm guessing I would need months of preparation for the MCAT , and I am afraid I won't be able to do that before finishing the courses in my second winter semester, which include biochemistry and psychology, both of which are extremely important for the new MCAT. SO, is all that possible in three years, or should I spread out my schedule to four years or try to finish the upper level science classes in my third year because they would be valuable for MCAT, or...take a gap year to study??? As you can tell, I'm very confused. I will be talking to my advisors this July about my situation, and I have put a lot of thinking into it already, but I just want some input from previous/experienced premeds. I apologize if this is too much, and thanks A LOT already for anyone who can help.</p>

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<p>it is legitimately impossible to get 33 AP’S in High School… If you have a 6 hour block schedule, and if all your classes were AP’S. which in itself is impossible you would get up to 24. Perhaps you might have done AP’S in Middle School, you would MAYBE get up to 26? That would mean that you would need to successfully test out of 7 AP’S, which is also quite a feat. I could be wrong though. :/</p>

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<p>My D only took 6 AP in high school and she is expected to receive 29 AP credits. 33 AP credit is not that many particularly for students students from CA/NJ/NY that tend to take a lot of AP.</p>

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<p>When and where did you guys find out how many credits the student receives from AP and dual-enrolled courses? My S already had his orientation, but he doesn’t know yet how many credits he’s received.</p>

<p>I’m quite aware of the pros of redeeming all those credits early, but I know of only 1 con: higher tuition rate once one reaches the Junior standing (which is possibly 1st semester for my S since he’s got tons of dual-enrolled college courses as well.) But are there any other cons besides higher tuition rate?</p>

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<p>There’s a page somewhere which tells you how many credits of what kind you get for what score on each test. If he knows his scores he can find out exactly what credits he’ll get for what. The only exception may be for the language test they give, I’m not sure when he’ll find out for that. </p>

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<p>Yeah, we looked at that page to figure out the #of credits from his AP. But, I’m just wondering if there’s anything more formal (such as email or letter) to indicate that one gets X credits via APs and Y credits from dual-enrolled courses.</p>

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<p>Why question the OP on 33 credit hours from AP classes? My daughter had full IB plus 7 APs that would have given her more than that but she went to a school that didn’t give credit for either. But to answer your question OP, applying to medschool early isn’t really <em>good</em> per se. You do need time to do all your ECs, shadowing, research etc. In addition, you need great LORs from prof’s so rushing through school isn’t necessarily a good thing. Visit the premed forum here on CC, you will find similar threads and good advice?</p>

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<p>If he logs onto Wolverine access he will eventually see them on his unofficial transcript, but I don’t know when those show up or if they’re already there or what. </p>

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<p>Thanks, @Vladenschlutte‌. I guess he’ll just have to wait for those to show up on his WA. (OP, sorry to hijack your thread for this side topic.)</p>

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<p>AP credits are now up in Wolverine Access. You can’t see your AP test scores but you can see what credits you received. </p>

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<p>Why the hurry? A high GPA (at least 3.5), internships, research experience, a good MCAT score and getting published are all very important criteria to Medical schools. I do not think it is possible to do all of those well in 3 years. If you get 33 credits, take advantage of it and pace yourself in order to excel on all fronts.</p>

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<p>This years APs aren’t available to students yet, but Michigan knows them already and AP credits now appear on Wolverine Access in the “unofficial transcript.” Apparently schools get scores before students. At least my son’s are there. You still don’t see the score but you know you scored at least the minimum to get Michigan credit (if you did get credit).</p>

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<p>For those having taken AP Physics C (Mech and/or E&M), the credits are not shown on WA. Students have to contact Physics Student Services (<a href=“mailto:physics.sso@umich.edu”>physics.sso@umich.edu</a>) to get the credit.</p>

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<p>^Not true. I have credit for E&M on my transcript.</p>

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<p>Don’t recommend doing pre-med in 3 years.<br>

  1. most med schools do not accept AP credit for pre-requisites like intro bio. Most schools recommend taking honors versions of those classes. With a 5 on AP chem, orgo may be taken first, but then a year of physical chemistry would be needed. A year of English is always needed. Some schools allow a semester of credit for calc, but recommend a harder math class and statistics. And biochem, a year of physics, sociology and psychology. All sciences with labs.
  2. Med school applicants now average age 25. Older applicants have done more.
  3. You are right, time for volunteering, shadowing and research are crucial.
  4. If you have electives open because of your AP credits, consider getting a joint master’s/bachelor’s in 4 years.</p>
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<p>@Repede,
Thanks for your note. My S is in LSA; and his AP Physics C Mechs & E&M credits (scoring 5 in both) don’t show up on his WA. Turned out that he had to contact Physics Student Services to get the credits. Are you in CoE? If so, maybe CoE does it differently? Otherwise, it’s probably just some fluke that my S has to resolve…</p>

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<p>I’m in CoE so that could be an explanation.</p>