Questions about AP credit and retaking a course

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
1

<p>Hi everyone, I have seem to come upon a major problem with my current coursework regarding AP Chemistry credit from high school. Actually, I'm not really looking to be pre-med anymore, and this is a question more about a specific PA program. I really want to aim for USC's PA program but the admission requirements include 3 quarters of General Chemistry (I believe this is similar to what some med schools require). </p>

<p>USC</a> Primary Care Physician Assistant Program</p>

<p>So here's where I have my problem...I attend UC Irvine and as an entering freshman (like everyone else) I didn't really know what I was doing. I reveled in the idea that I could just skip one whole chemistry course because of high school success (I earned a 4 on the AP test). At UCI, you elect to take Chem 1A>1B>1C in that order or the honors series. Needless to say, I picked the easy way out, skipping 1A and avoiding the honors series at all costs (which would have satsified 3 quarters). Now, ready to start Ochem, I'm figuring out that this was a bad move. I earned A's in 1B and 1C, but that is still only 2 quarters. </p>

<p>My question is, can I resolve this issue by taking Chem 1A at UCI during the summer? Their website states:</p>

<p>"AP CREDIT:
Have a score of 4 or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement Chem Examination? The Chemistry Department will allow students who have earned Chem 1A credit via AP to enroll in SUMMER offerings of Chem 1A at UCI in order to fulfill professional school admission requirements. NO CREDIT will be given for grades and units earned in this course. Please fax or bring a copy of your AP scores to the Chemistry Undergraduate Office once summer session starts.
You are ineligible for enrollment in Chem 1A during the academic year. Students with AP credit exempting them from Chem 1A will have the choice of beginning with Chem 1B (Winter quarter) or taking Chem H2A, Honors General Chemistry (Fall quarter)."</p>

<p>Although I hate the idea of taking another difficult Gchem course, I think this is my only way out. However, WILL I even be allowed to take Chem 1A having already finished 1B and 1C? Is it acceptable to go BACKWARDS in a Chem series? I know this specific case does not involve med school but as I am still contemplating med school in the back of my mind, I'd like to have this answered so I won't have trouble with it again. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>You’ll have to check with UCI to see if you can still earn credit for 1A after having already completed 1B & 1C. </p>

<p>Most med schools will probably give you a pass, particularly if you add another chem course: upper division inorganic, or perhaps biochem.</p>

<p>USC’s website is rather specific, but where there are rules there exist exceptions. (Yeah I know that the website says that there aren’t any…but in academia, exceptions ALWAYS exist.) Thus, e-mail them and explain your situation. Offer to take an upper division Chem course instead and see what they say. (Even academics don’t want students to waste time repeating what they already know.)</p>