<p>I have not been set on pre-med since I was 10 years old, nor had I really thought about much going into senior year. The AP Bio class at my school is horrible anyways so I am taking AP physics instead. My question is whether despite all this I might be able to do a bio or biochem major with a pre-med track at WUSTL. Will the fact that I don't have an AP Bio foundation going in make it way too difficult for me? Thank you for your help!</p>
<p>To be concise, no, it will not make it too difficult for you. Many people enter pre-med without AP Bio and into a Biology major. If you had taken AP Bio, you’d know it’s almost a joke in how easy the material is. Regardless, everything in biology will simply be learned in the classes at WashU, so as long as you’re learning the material, I don’t see a problem. While people who HAVE taken biology might find it easier, I’m certain entering without AP Bio is not a big deal. I will be entering pre-med without AP Chem, and this shouldn’t affect me too much. Most of semester one of GenChem is quantum mechanics and it’s in semester two that some might have a slight advantage over me. But I digress. My point is that entering without AP courses shouldn’t affect you too much.</p>
<p>My D is a soph at WashU and attended a very mediocre public h.s. (2 APs offered - English and Psych - can you imagine!!). She took 2 semesters of gen chem last year, will finish the 3 semesters of bio and 2 of orgo at the end of the semester and has done just fine. She has had to work very hard having such a weak background, but she had been on the Dean’s List every semester so far. There are a lot of services in place to help along the way - PLTL (Peer Led Team Learning), Cornerstone tutors, professor office hours, reviews, etc. if you need the help.</p>
<p>Thanks for the well thought out responses. MWParent, that is an inspirational story - it’s hard to believe a high school could have only two APs!</p>