<p>My son is currently a high school sophomore contemplating accelerated medical programs. How important is it for him to take Bio AP in junior year so he can take the AP exam and SATII(Molecular Biology) prior to applying to BS/MD programs? He will have taken Chemistry, Calc, US History and English APs by then. He wants put Bio AP off to senior year to avoid overloading. Is this going to hurt his chances? Thanks for any insight you can provide!</p>
<p>Not important at all. In fact, SAT II’s are nearly useless in general. For many of the programs I applied to, they didn’t even consider SAT II’s. </p>
<p>Also, it’s not important that your son takes AP Bio Junior year, just so long as he takes it (not necessarily for admissions, just so that he has a good science background before entering college). I myself am taking AP Bio as a senior. (Very similar situation as your son… I took Calc BC, US History, Chem, and AP English Junior year, as well as AP World and self-studied AP Euro Soph year).</p>
<p>BSMD11, thanks for your reply. That’s makes me feel better, since I saw SBU/GW program prefers SATII(M) , though they accept SATII-Chem. Did you apply there?<br>
I see you’ve been accepted at VCU. Congratulations!</p>
<p>no, i did not apply to SBU/GW. Thank you, and good luck to your son too!</p>
<p>btw, VCU gives some good money if your son is a really good student.</p>
<p>Thanks. ^good to know!</p>
<p>I agree with bsmd11, it is important that your son takes AP Bio at some point, but it doesn’t matter when. As for SAT II’s, Math II and Chem are the important ones. If you choose to take a third subject test, that is up to you. I cannot recall many BS/MD’s that require more than those two. Good luck to your son!</p>
<p>i got into the sbu/gw program by sending my chem because i did better in chem (770 vs a 700 in biology) but the best advice i can offer your son is to focus on these things as he applies in two years: leadership, service, and fit. They love to see leadership in activities (even if they aren’t medically oriented) since doctor’s are leaders. They also like to see dedication to service (especially the GW programs). Most importantly, you need to show them that even if there was no combined program at their school, you would attend and flourish. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son in his last two years of high school… while he’s studying and racking up important research and volunteer experience, make sure he remembers to have an amazing high school experience!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone who responded!</p>