Gen Chem 101 or Accelerated Chem?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>I'm an incoming freshman, and I was looking for some advice.</p>

<p>I got a 3 on AP Chem as a junior, although I felt unprepared coming in. I haven't looked at Chem since last June, and I remember barely anything. I'm gonna be a pre-med, and I really enjoy Chem. However, I just want a fresh start and kind of learn from the base.</p>

<p>Should I take Gen Chem 101 where I can start from the bottom and get a better grasp of the subject? Or should I take the accelerated course? I've heard that the accelerated course is an easier place to get A's, although it may be a lot harder.</p>

<p>If it's a * lot * harder then I probably shouldn't take it. Any ideas?</p>

2

<p>Considering with a 3, you have to take a placement test to get into Accelerated Chemistry, so why don’t you first take that test and then decide from there?</p>

3

<p>With a AP score of 3, you have to take the ALEKS (precal math skills) test to get into the accelerated sequence, but not the chemistry placement test.</p>

<p>[Courses</a> for Freshmen, Undergraduate Programs - Department of Chemistry – Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University](<a href=“http://www.chemistry.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/programs/freshmen.html]Courses”>Courses for First-Year Students: Department of Chemistry - Northwestern University)</p>

4

<p>I would recommend the accelerated sequence. As a freshman, since I hadn’t taken chem since 10th grade, I figured I would remember nothing and took chem 101. Well I ended up remembering most of my high school chem class so chem 101 was super easy for me (and I got an A). If I could do it again, I would have taken the accelerated sequence instead. </p>

<p>If you enjoy chemistry, I would definitely recommend the accelerated sequence. Plus you get it done in 2 quarters instead of 3.</p>

5

<p>This was over 30 years ago, but when I was a freshman I took the Chemistry placement exam and had a choice between taking A02 and A70. The A70 class was generally for 6 year meds, and I thought that the competition would be too strong in A70 so I opted for A02. Big mistake. A02 turned out to be a pre-med burn course where the majority got a C, and almost nobody in A70 got less than a B. I got a C in A02 Chem, one of only two C’s in my four years. That was the last Chemistry class I ever took. I suspect things haven’t changed that much over the years, so my advice would be to take the highest class you place into.</p>