<p>okay so i know that the science classes in college make APs look like a joke almost, so i was wondering about my senior schedule next yr...
right now as a jr, i'm taking AP Bio</p>
<p>next yr's looking a little like:</p>
<p>AP calc BC
AP Physics B
AP Psych
English
Auto (maybe)</p>
<p>that got me thinking...since i wanna do the pre-med classes in college, would i benefit a lot if i took AP chem? b/c my only chem experience in HS would be chem 1. so if i added the AP next yr, would it be too much? a lot of ppl at my school take like multiple sciences, so it's not rare for me.</p>
<p>i'll probably drop auto; i'll only take it if i need credits
that way i'll have 2 free periods (would colleges see that as slacking off?)</p>
<p>anyways, a lot to think about, would appreciate any feedback or something
the big thing is whether or not to take AP chem, since i didn't take chem H</p>
<p>I don't know if science classes in college will always be tougher than AP classes. I thought that freshman chemistry in college was pretty similar to high school chemistry (just at a faster pace).</p>
<p>It's actually my opinion that AP Chem is the one AP science that should be avoided as a future pre-med - unless you plan on not taking the exam or bypassing the credit. </p>
<p>The consequences of obtaining a qualifying score and receiving credit for Gen Chem are not worth it in my opinion. You'll have to take an upper level chemistry class - things like Analytical Chem or Physical Chem - which are not needed for medical school or the MCAT and tend to be infamously difficult. While some medical schools will allow Biochem to be substituted as a replacement for the year of Gen Chem, you run into issues with a number of schools which require Biochem in and of itself, issues with having 2 semesters of lab, and just the hassle of dealing with implications when applying. </p>
<p>Further, gen chem is just that - general. A basic HS chemistry background should be a good start, and from there you'll be learning new things. I never took AP chem, but I know that what you get out of any AP is usually teacher dependent. Some teachers are well qualified to teach the course at a speed and depth that approaches a college course, while others are certainly not, and students suffer - even if they got a 4 or 5 on the exam - when they get to college.</p>
<p>Can't you take the AP class (and even the exam) and just never ask for college credit if you don't want to go into advanced classes right away? I never did any APs, so I have no idea how it works, really. All I know is what I've read online to help decide if it's something I want my kids to pursue. I just don't think the OP should assume that freshman chemistry will be tougher than AP chemistry, because I didn't find it much different from the regular high school chemistry offered at my high school (except that 1 year of high school chem was covered in one semester in college).</p>
<p>I believe that it varies from school to school in what they will allow you to do as far taking credit or not. Some schools may allow you to pick and choose, some even well after your freshman year, while others may take an all or nothing approach and so you must take every course you've earned credit in, or none at all. I suspect a large number never even ask, and just award credit when your AP scores arrive from the CollegeBoard.</p>
<p>There is some discussion of this that indicates that there might be selective sending now -- but the policies in this can be very complicated. Check with the college board to confirm.</p>
<p>Also: What BRM says about genchem may be true, but it's just as (or more) true for Physics, as well.</p>
<p>You don't have to tell your college about your AP scores. You certainly have the choice not to report them at all. </p>
<p>If you submit the scores with your application, many colleges do NOT automatically send these results to the registrar. Many places require you to submit your scores to the registrar, as opposed to the admissions office, for them to count for credit. At many colleges you can use the AP's for placement, without getting credit, without having to submit the scores to the college- just send them to the department granting placement, and an unofficial photocopy is fine.</p>
<p>The colleges I have dealt with leave use of AP credits up to the student. You can get credit for an AP, or retake the course in college, up to you. The advice usually comes from the department, for example, they may tell you "The math department recommends that people who received at 5 on BC skip intro calculus, but the Physics department does not consider a 5 on Physics C a substitute for their course"</p>
<p>So it depends on the college. But if you are not majoring in the field, and therefore have no reason to take the advanced courses, then the consideration of the consequences of getting credit become important.</p>
<p>1.) There's definitely an all-or-nothing choice. You can certainly choose not to report any AP scores. The question is, are you permitted to send some but not others? The answer a few years ago was "no." It seems to have changed, but I don't claim to be an expert.</p>
<p>2.) The credit is actually fine. The placement is the part you don't want.</p>
<p>3.) Yes, most private schools permit students to do whatever they want, even if the school is willing to recognize an AP Credit. Many public schools, including the two flagship UC's, do not.</p>
<p>4.) Certainly if you're going to major in chemistry or physics anyway -- but how is a high school student supposed to know? -- then sometimes having a solid foundation from college courses can be important, but sometimes it's nice to be able to skip them if they're not worthwhile.</p>
<p>first off, i'm probably gonna be looking at the middle-high UCs, like Davis, SD, maybe LA or Berk.
second, i don't know what i'll be majoring in, but it's most likely in science </p>
<p>so i got a question: if I take AP Chem in HS, then will i be "forced" to take a higher chem class in college like wht BRM said? or could i just take it for the credits, but still take Genchem?</p>
<p>Depends on the college...
At my school, even though I took AP chem and got a 5, I had the option of taking gen chem AND the AP credits (although I did not receive the maximum number of credits for my AP score, since I essentially "retook" the class... ie, gen chem). But I know many other schools force you to use AP credits to place out of gen chem.</p>
<p>a 5 on the ap chem exam can get you out of 1 quarter of general chemistry (20 series, not for 14 series). you dont have to skip if you choose to. calculus is the only class where ap is taken into account.</p>
<p>Since AP policies vary, best to check with an official source at each college you are considering before reporting your scores. </p>
<p>Some places you are welcome to retake the course in college. Apparently some will force you to use the credit. </p>
<p>If you want options, make sure you know the consequences of submitting your scores at each college before you do it.</p>
<p>Again, the wisdom of skipping a course is a local (i.e. departmental) issue, which will not necessarily track with the overall college policy. For example, the chemistry department may find that people who skip general chemistry struggle with organic, even if the college cheerfully grants credit for AP chem. </p>
<p>Better than checking boards, and getting unofficial responses, check websites and contact official people at the colleges to find out policy and recommendations.</p>