<p>So the consensus seems to be that AP credit can generally not be used to substitute for med school requirements, and I get that. The confusing aspect to me, however, is whether or not we can use upper division science courses to supplement the requirements. For example, I received 5's on AP Chemistry, AP Bio, Ap Calc AB and BC, and AP Phys C: Mechanics. At my school, ucsd, I'm exempted from all of general bio and general chem, all of calculus, and first quarter physics. If I take any of those courses here, my transcript labels them as no credit because they are apparently duplicate credit. What am I supposed to do? Take all of these courses for no credit, or supplement them with upper divs? I am a biochem+math double major, so I will definitely take upper div's in the future that will at the very least require me to know the information required in those courses anyway. What exactly do med schools want me to do? There doesn't really seem to be a straightforward answer out there :(</p>
<p>Yes, you can take upper level courses instead. </p>
<p>For instance, D1 got AP Chem credit and didn’t take Gen Chem; instead took a year each of OChem +lab and Biochem + lab. I think some schools are now requiring Biochem, so not sure how this affects this, but since you’re majoring in Biochem, seems like you’d have plenty of coursework to satisfy.</p>
<p>You should take 2 years of chemistry, one year of biology, one of year of physics and one year of Math at college. </p>
<p>So find classes in college that meet these requirements. You can always walk over to med school at UCSD and ask what they recommend.</p>
<p>And what entomom said! She knows what she is talking about.</p>
<p>Which year are you applying?</p>
<p>My son used his AP credits and then took “higher level” classes. He did need to take science classes with labs.</p>
<p>@slapusillydawg, since you are in California and presumably you will be applying to some California medical schools, then it is imperative that you get advice from your health professions advising office. California is in a state of flux on this issue so you want to get the latest information available. </p>
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<p>No, this is incorrect.
Important: Do not take take the word of anyone here on this question. You will likely be misinformed. Find out for yourself.</p>
<p>Use can use the following pdf file as a guide. Notice that most medical schools have no problem with AP classes even those that don’t accept them for prereq requirements do not want you to retake the classes in college. They want you to move on with your studies and take more advanced classes.</p>
<p><a href=“Undergraduate Resources”>Undergraduate Resources;
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>^agree, the main source of confusion stems from the fact that your college has to recognize the AP credit on your transcript as the document plu posted says. If the AP credit doesn’t appear on your college transcript then it won’t be accepted.</p>
<p>The other thing people mess up is that the requirements for medical school are not the intro courses but simply one year of bio, chem, physics, with labs etc. No one requires intro courses to fulfill the requirement it’s just that the intro ones are pre-reqs for the advanced ones, not all advanced classes offer labs, and the material in the intro courses is often more straightforward (although the curves can make doing well in them harder) so most people use the intro courses to fulfill the med school requirements.</p>
<p>I think another point of confusion is that when a SOM says it doesn’t accept AP classes, it will understand if you used those credits AND THEN moved on to higher level Bio, Chem and Physics classes. </p>
<p>I think what SOMs mean is that you can’t just use your AP credits for Bio, chem, and Physics, and then not take the higher level classes.</p>
<p>Others can correct me if I’m wrong or add further clarification. also, my son was told that when you take the higher level classes, be sure to include labs.</p>
<p>(That said, if you do use your AP Credits, you might want to retake Bio I or Gen Chem I if you think you need the help. Forget about retaking Bio II)</p>
<p>“So the consensus seems to be that AP credit can generally not be used to substitute for med school requirements, and I get that”
-No sure about it at all. D. has used both of her Math and English AP credits. However, before she did, she contacted Adcoms of Med. Schools on her list to make sure. They are the ones to ask, here we have different experiences with different sets of HS/UG/Med. School. All of them are very different. D. ended up taking the very first Bio afte 5 on AP Bio. Why? Because at her UG it was highly recommended. After she started classes, she realized why it was advisable. The very first Bio went thru AP material in the first 2 weeks and then they moved on. All other Bio were based on this first class. I read here, that it is not the case at other UGs. Not sure if asking here is very helpful. You have to investigate specifically at your UG and ask adcoms of Med. Schools, they are also different. Otherwise, you will continue to be confused.</p>
<p>Oops, did not see “What exactly do med schools want me to do? There doesn’t really seem to be a straightforward answer out there”
-So, you have asked Med. School adcoms and did not get straightforward answer? This is very unusual. They were very quick and very clear in responses to my D’s inquiries.</p>
<p>You should request a transcript from UCSD to figure out what classes they list and credit you for in terms of APs.</p>