<p>Apparently I didn't "place" into freshman biology because I submitted ACT scores rather than SAT scores. What's funny is that I already have freshman biology credit. I took the CLEP exam for fun junior year of high school and passed it (no one accepts it though...) and I scored a 760 on the SAT Biology exam. I kind of think I have a reasonably background to enroll in the course...</p>
<p>I tried to talk to the professor today because a spot opened up in the class and I wanted to take it. She insisted that the course was extremely rigorous and that I should wait until next semester. What's aggravating me is the fact that I'm not taking any rigorous courses this semester, and by not allowing me to enroll in this biology course, they are in reality hurting me. Taking biology 2, organic chemistry 1, calculus 2, and physics 1 first semester of sophomore year will be a killer. </p>
<p>I'm just really upset. I'm literally taking blow off courses this semester. I'm extremely tempted to just enroll in the biology course even though I was advised against it. Ughhhh. Advice?</p>
<p>**Essentially you must make a certain score on the SAT (I think 1250 CR/M). Since I submitted ACT scores and I didn’t attempt the SAT I exam (since I was happy with my ACT score), I’m automatically not placed in freshman biology. Even though I meet that requirement on the SAT/ACT conversion scale, it doesn’t matter. I scored a 31 on my ACT with a 32 on science. I thought like a 21 was the requirement by ACT to be successful in freshman biology.</p>
<p>I don’t even need the biology department to override it. If I wanted to enroll in Bio 141 now, I could. I just feel idiotic for asking for their approval because now if I enroll in the class, they might drop me since they already told me no.</p>
<p>They probably don’t have enough spots in Freshman Bio for all the premeds and others wanting to take it. I would continue to persist or take it second semester, or take it over the summer. Bummer tho.</p>
<p>Here’s the course description. It looks like 1st year Bio to me. Biology
141.
Cell Biology and Genetics
with
Laboratory
(SNT)
Fall,
spring.
Credit,
four
hours.
No
prerequisites;
freshman
placement
recommended.
The
study
of
cell
structure
and
function
including
cellular
metabolism,
fundamentals
of
genetics,
evolution
and
population
genetics.
Emphasizes
scientific
inquiry.
Three
hours
of
lecture
and
one
three
hour
laboratory
per
week.</p>
<p>I already have AP Chemistry credit for first semester chem and I’m a chem major (so I’ll have upper-level’s). Stats is full. I already have AP English credit. Luckily, however, I convinced the biology professor to let me into Bio 141 under the condition I only take 12 hours this semester (no problem since I have 25 semester hours already) ! Yay! Now my schedule is as follows:</p>
<p>Clinical Neuroscience
Cell Bio and Genetics
Calculus 1</p>
<p>Is it too light? My advisor recommended me to not take Chem 141 and just take Chem 142 in the spring, but I’m considering taking it for the easy A…what do you think? Plus it will inflate my science GPA.</p>
<p>Sure, if you think it will be an ‘easy A’, add Chem. But note, science labs in college are a whole lot more work than you might expect. </p>
<p>Also, you might reconsider taking English or at least two ‘writing-intensive’ courses. Med schools tend to frown on AP credits, and prefer that you take the college equivalent, or an upper level course in that same subject.</p>
<p>Well, I will definitely be taking upper-level chemistry courses–since that’s my major. Would it be better to take the first semester of General Chem, or take a writing intensive course this semester?</p>
<p>Whether Gen Chem would be an easy A depends on your background (and preparation for) Chem, the competition, and the Prof. Writing-intensive courses can be all over the lot – some are really rigorous, and some are an easy B+ even for a poor writer. Again, depends on your background/writing ability and the Prof’s style.</p>
<p>Personally, I think knocking out prereqs or grad requirements early is nearly always better than senior year. (The only advantage of senior year is a high priority registration so you can be assured of the ‘good’ prof.) And, since writing is critical for college success – even for lab reports, learning to write well early in your college career can only help you. (That is probably why Frosh writing is required.)</p>