<p>So I've been stressing out over my schedule for my first semester at Duke. I received a 5 on AP chemistry, and am thinking about majoring in chem for a pre-med track. Which chemistry should I take? I would like to take chem 31L but I've been told that anyone with a 4/5 on AP chem will be kicked out of the class by the advisors. Should I take chem 43L or 151L, or try and fight to get into 31L? I've heard 43L is way too hard and pointless, but I'm afraid of 151L for my first semester, as I do care a lot about my social life. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of advisors actually monitoring what credit you have for which class, at least not in my year. I would say to either take 31 (which should be pretty much all AP Chem review, with multiple choice tests) or 151. The first semester freshman section of 151 is curved to a B+/A-, and while the test averages tend to be higher (perhaps due to more motivated students), who can pass up a B+/A- curve…The second semester 151 class is curved to a B-. But do avoid 43 if you can!</p>
<p>why is chem 43L so bad?</p>
<p>Chem 43 is considered hard because all the bright premeds who don’t want to go to orgo but have the credits for it take that class. So you end up taking a chem class that’s designed to be a little harder than regular gen chem with a bunch of gunner premeds without the more generous curve of freshmen orgo. </p>
<p>To the OP: you sounds like someone who should be taking 151 to be honest. It’s not that bad, really, and as someone mentioned, the curve is slightly better. Oh, and your social life will probably not suffer…unless you are super gunner which is antithetical to having a social life anyway.</p>
<p>I’m not a “super gunner”. I actually somewhat chose Duke over other academically comparable schools because I highly value my social life. I know that’s hard to accomplish being a pre-med and all, but I want the best possible social experience while still exceeding academically. So that’s been my deterrent from taking chem 151L my first semester, as I’ve heard that 43L would be better while adjusting to Duke first semester than 151L would be</p>
<p>Also, I’ve heard that the freshman who decide to take 151L first semester are the smartest of the crop, so even though the curve is slightly higher, the competition is absolutely nuts.</p>