<p>I am interested in taking the AP Bio test sometime this year, b/c I know that I could recieve a 5 on it, and I never took it in high school. I took one semester of Bio at Cornell and don't want to do another one. I know SO many people, that took the first semester and got 5s on the ap test in high school, and they aren't taking the second semester, they all said FORGET this. So can I take the AP test in May as a college student, and I will study for the second semester material, and I am fairly confident I can get a 5. Is this possible?????????????? This is all b/c I think I would be quite dumb for me to just abandon my med school dreams, and this could keep my options open. The other option is to take the second semester over the summer at a very respectable university such as NYU. I would rather take the AP test if this is possible and get credit for the second semester. A 5 on the AP test gives you 1 full year of bio credit, and i took the first semester.</p>
<p>This simply doesn't make sense. The AP bio test is considered to be the equivalent of an introductory, i.e. FIRST SEMESTER, college level biology class, so it will not "make up" for the lack of advanced biology work in college in medical school admissions. No college, therefore, is going to give you "double credit" for a class you have already taken and I suspect that the majority of higher tier schools will NOT give you ANY credit for AP tests taken after high school. That is not the purpose of the AP testing program.</p>
<p>noooo, i am talking about CREDIT for the second semester, i didn't get a poor grade in the first semester (i got a B+, average was a B-). I just don't want to take the second semester at Cornell. A 5 on the AP test would give me credit for the second semester and first semester, but I took the first semester course, so I wouldn't get credit, but I would get credit for the second one.</p>
<p>See my response above. The AP biology test is considered the equivalent of the FIRST SEMESTER class, not advanced work such as a second semester class. Medical schools will not consider passing an AP test while in college to be the same as taking advanced biology classes, including that second semester class. You would just be wasting your time. If you truly want to "preserve your chances of going to medical school" buckle down and take that second semester biology class.</p>
<p>I'm just wondering why someone who wants to go to medical school doesn't want to take biology? Or is it just that you don't want to take biology at Cornell? Have you talked to your advisor?</p>
<p>actually, a 5 on the AP Bio test gives u 8 credits at Cornell, for Bio 101 and Bio 102 (the FULL year of biology). I have taken Bio 101 (4 credits), and a 5 would give me credit for the second semester as well as the first (but I have taken the class, so it wouldn't).</p>
<p>All of my friends at Cornell are skipping the second semester of biology and took the first semester b/c they all have 5s on the ap test.</p>
<p>In regard to your question, I do not want to take another semester of bio at Cornell.</p>
<p>fireflyscout--I am wondering the same thing. Why med school if you don't like biology? Is there something about this particular course that is a problem? Anyway, my advice is to take it in the summer somewhere if you don't want to do the second semester, for whatever reason. Also, you could ask Cornell if you could do this (AP exam), but my guess is that you suspect they'll say no?</p>
<p>the issue is not whether or not the College Board will take your money and allow you to take the test. The issue is whether or not Cornel would be willing to give you the credit for a 5 now, after a year of college. You need to ask someone in the bio dept at Cornell, as well as running it by the pre-med advisor.</p>
<p>and carolyn, i believe when they say advanced bio, they are talking about anything after Intro to bio (which is a full year course, and a 5 on the ap test is equivalent to a full year of intro bio at cornell)</p>
<p>anyone else...i appreciate the feeback, specifically, can a college student take an AP test</p>
<p>i am currently taking AP Bio and in my opinion it would be unreasonable for one to think the amount of material we cover in one school year could be covered in one semester of college. </p>
<p>we follow the exact same path as Ohio State University (pretty well known for bio), use the same book, and covered just over half of the chapters necessary for the test.</p>
<p>basically what i am getting at is that it is perfectly reasonable for AP Bio to count as 2 semesters worth of credit because it is not effective to expect one to adequately learn 55 chapters (~1100 pages) in ~4 months along with three other college level classes.</p>
<p>Even if Cornell would permit this (which I really doubt), med schools aren't going to like it. You are looking for the easy way out - hardly the way to impress med schools.</p>
<p>I'm just wondering why someone who wants to go to medical school doesn't want to take biology?
me too</p>
<p>If you want to enter medical school, I think it is to your benefit not to use AP credits to cover credits in your major
[quote]
Once you have chosen your major and understand the course requirements, you will be in a better position to make final decisions. In general, you can use AP credits in subjects that are elective for your major (such as history or language) and for which you do not plan to pursue advanced study. For courses that are important in your major or career goal (such as chemistry, biology, and math), you may choose NOT to use your AP credits. Some students forfeit their AP credits and take the introductory course at Cornell because they want to have a thorough review at the introductory college level in preparation for advanced courses. Students who skip the introductory math and science because they have AP credits rarely take sophomore level math and science courses as freshmen. Instead they take introductory courses in other subjects that will apply to their degree requirements.
Premed Considerations: Pre-med students should follow the recommendations of the Cornell Health Careers Advising Program when considering AP credit. Medical schools vary in their acceptance of AP credit for introductory biology courses. Students should check the specific requirements in medical school catalogs. Some students may wish to take part of the biology introductory sequence - including the laboratory courses - at Cornell to prepare for upper level courses or the medical school admissions tests.
<p>bball87: The summary reports on AP Central do list the category of test-takers "not in High School", but I am not sure if that includes those already in college. You may call ETS at 888 225-5427 and ask them. If ETS does allow that (and if Cornell will agree to accept the result), you will have to contact a coordinator in a nearby high school and arrange taking the test.</p>
<p>If all goes well, in your situation if you get a 4 or 5 for the test, Cornell will grant you credit for 2 semesters of Bio. But the majority of medical schools do not like to accept AP credit in lieu of Bio requirement. </p>
<p>Now, if you are going to take non-introductory Bio courses later on, you might be OK as this will cover the Bio requirement, but better check the particular requirements of the med schools where you may want to apply.</p>
<p>Carolyn, the first school my D went to gave her credit for the second half of Bio for her five, as long as she took the first half (she had a 5 on the AP.) That's just how they did it. It was a nightmare to sort out when she transfered.</p>
<p>well, if i get the credit via AP credit for the second semester, I would definetely take an upper level course such as Genetics or Biochem at Cornell sometime in the future. I just reallllllllly do not want to take another semester of intro bio at cornell. If I cannot escape it via AP credit, then my parents are willing to pay for me to take it at NYU over the summer (Intro bio second semester).</p>
<p>one other option to consider; Bio in the summer at Cornell. Summer classes tend to be more laid back (even the profs want to enjoy the sun), and include some high school kids as well as kids from other colleges.</p>
<p>well, i am like 95 percent sure i am not taking bio next semester (i need a break, and am not even sure if i want pre-med anymore, but I want to keep my options open). Law school has become quite appealing to me now as there are no reqs and I am confident in my ability to do well in social science and humanity courses as well as math courses.</p>
<p>I don't think the AP option is open to you anymore. That is for high school students. But it may worth asking Cornell and/or the professor whether they will let you test out of the second semester. Colleges sometimes allow that with certain courses. It would be basically taking the course final exam, and if you pass, you pass.</p>