<p>right now, i got a 5 on AP Physics C Mech and a 4 on AP Spanish Language. I am intending to go in as a Biology Major, even though i know its not declared until sophomore year.</p>
<p>last year, i took 6 AP classes, but only 4 of which i could get credit for (AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and AP Macroeconomics). If I were to get a satisfactory grade on these four exams, what courses would I be exempt from and what courses would I then take in my first semester.</p>
<p>for example, i know that if i get a 4 or 5 on AP Chemistry, i am exempt from Introductory Chemistry and the Lab, and i would take Organic Chemistry.</p>
<p>what happens in regards to Physics, Biology, and Calculus?</p>
<p>Biology will get you credit for General Biology I and II and a waiver for the lab (so that you don’t have to take it again, but it does not count towards your total number of credits). As a bio major, the next courses would be Biochemistry (fall) and Cell Biology (spring). I’m not sure if they have any other prerequisites, and while I know some people do take them as freshmen, most people take them sophomore year. The Physics C Mechanics test will get you credit for 171.101 (Physics I) and a waiver for 171.111 (Physics Lab I). You’ll then take either 171.102, Physics II for Physical Science majors or 171.104, Physics II for Biological Sciences majors in the spring along with Physics Lab II. (Even though you’re a bio major, you can take either one. The Bio majors course actually covers some more advanced concepts at the end of the year since they expect that it’s the last physics course you’ll ever take). As for math, a 4 or 5 on the AP AB test will give you credit for 110.106 (Calc I for Bio majors) or 110.108 (Calc I for Physical science/engineering majors), and you can take 110.107 or 110.109, either of the Calc II classes.</p>
<p>One thing to be aware of: if you’re premed, some medical schools do not accept AP credit. The schools in California are the most picky and require that you take actual college courses - basically you can not take the AP credit and retake the intro course, or you can take a more advanced course in the same department. Most schools (including some of the California schools) will accept AP credit for math, and the majority of non-California schools will also accept biology, chemistry and physics, but some medical schools do have some odd policies.</p>
<p>If I could get an AP credit for Bio I and II, do you suggest getting a waiver or just take these classes anyway to start fresh and build a solid foundation for my pre-med study?</p>
<p>General Biology I and II are very easy, so not only would they be good foundation courses, but they are also nice GPA boosters. However, second semester biology is more difficult than first semester - but still not a killer.</p>
<p>So I should take the General Bio classes at Hopkins vs. getting a credit for it? Would that be a waste of 8-10 hours of credit? Thanks for helping out!</p>
<p>It is your choice - I took General Biology this year and it was a GPA booster (while also required for my major). I wouldn’t have taken it if I had AP credit, but that’s because I’m not majoring in the hard sciences. I wouldn’t consider it a “waste” of 8-10 hours of credit, because it will help your GPA.</p>
<p>When I was a Hopkins pre-med years ago, I knew a few other premeds with AP credit who placed out of intro chemistry, biology and/or physics. The advice I would give my kids, and which I’ll give you, is don’t do it. It was almost invariably a huge mistake. Just take the courses, do well in them, boost your GPA, and use them as a way to get up to speed for the more challenging courses to come.</p>
<p>I would have to disagree - I AP’ed out of intro biology, chemistry, physics and calculus and definitely didn’t regret it. Unless you think your background is weak and your AP score was a fluke, or you’re majoring in math or physics and considering those credits, I don’t see a reason to not take the credit. Yes, retaking the intro class will will be a relatively easy class and a GPA boost, but taking the credit will allow you to take other classes that you’re more interested in - whether that’s upper level electives or courses unrelated to your major. In some majors where the number of requirements is high, having AP credit is the only way you’ll be able to pursue a minor in an unrelated field</p>
<p>Its obviously an individual decision. And things may have changed at Hopkins over the years, so tanman’s advice may be more applicable to your situation. But “back in the day” when it was a real meat grinder, the guys I knew who AP’ed out of intro classes were plenty smart, they just weren’t prepared to go toe-to-toe with sophomore pre-meds in courses like organic chem. Its pretty sad to see a smart person’s dreamed crushed by getting a C when you knew, if they played things smarter and waited a year, they could have had an A.</p>