Question from transfer student about meeting prerequisites (chem and/or bio majors)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
1

Hi guys, I doubt this will get seen for a while but… I am considering applying to the ada comstock program, so I’d be a transfer student. I have read through the registrar’s transfer policies, and I understand that online courses taken prior to matriculation at smith are not eligible for transfer credit.

However, what I need more than transfer credit is to be able to use coursework (Chem 1 & 2) to meet prerequisites for other chem and bio classes - I don’t really need the credit so much (i’ll probably end up with a ton of credits as what I started out studying the first go round as a traditional undergrad is not related to a BIO or CHEM major at all)…

I don’t have a lot of AP scores to use, but I was hoping I could not have to start from scratch with chemistry courses, and could at least start with organic or something. But… I do see that the smith chemistry program is a bit unique… still, perhaps someone has some insight? thanks in advance!

2

Well, (1) you either have chemistry AP credits and scores for the registrar to review or you do not, and (2) you either have college-level chemistry coursework credits for the registrar to review or you do not. Also, the course registration system at Smith is programmed to check whether or not your Smith record contains the prerequisites necessary to sign up for a given course. For example, it will block a registration attempt for organic if the first-year pre-req chem requirement on the student’s Smith record has not been satisfied.

For people in your situation with a lot of general chem background, I think they will probably point you to Chem 118 as an alternative starting point (vs. Chem 111).