<p>So, I'm currently debating whether I should skip intro classes such as Math 1A-1B, Chem 1A-1B, and Bio 1A-1B because I received 5's on my corresponding AP tests. I mostly want to skip so I can take upper division classes. I know that some/most college intro classes are harder than their corresponding AP classes so I have to be careful not to ruin my GPA by overloading myself. My question is: which of these 3, if any, would you recommend using AP credit to skip? I consider myself quite strong in all 3 subjects and am willing to study over the summer to patch up any holes.</p>
<p>Another consideration is that I will be applying to med school. If I do skip these intro classes, are there any upper division classes at Berkeley that I can use to fulfill my premed requirements?</p>
<p>After viewing some other threads around here, it seems people have had success skipping Math 1A and and Bio 1A. Your experience in doing/opinion on this?</p>
<p>Math is the most commonly skipped (although a lot of students repeat math they already know in hopes of an easy A, possibly to find the curve tougher than expected because a lot of other students are thinking the same thing). See the following for suggestions – while aimed at Engineering freshmen, the suggestions should apply to all freshmen with AP Calculus credit (the page includes Math 1A and 1B final exams that you can take to see how well you know the material):</p>
<p>As far as Chemistry and Biology go, check with the department of your intended major and of the courses that you intend to take for placement information. AP Chemistry is generally accepted only for Chemistry 1A (not 1B or 4A/4B) at most.</p>
<p>You may want to ask the medical schools that you may apply to what courses you need to substitute for the introductory courses if you skip the latter with AP credit, since they tend not to like use of AP credit for pre-med requirements.</p>
<p>There are not that many med schools that require Calc, and only Harvard requires a full year. Most med schools require one year of math, but College Alg and Stats will count for many. So, if you skip Math 1A and take 1B + Stats, you will be fine for every med school. (I believe H will accept the 1B in fulfillment of their requirement.)</p>
<p>Most med schools require a year of Bio+lab. If you skip Bio 1, practically any upper division Bio course will work. (Note, however, that some schools like UCDavis require more than one year of Bio, but that is atypical.)</p>
<p>I skipped math using Calc BC and I plan on skipping Bio 1A/L. I’m not pre-med, however…But from what I have seen, you can’t skip both Bio 1A and 1B even with a 5 on AP Bio (because I still had to take Bio 1B). I’m speaking from a fulfilling major requirements point of view, but I feel as if that should be similar to fulfilling pre-med requirements. I think skipping the Chem 1 series would be okay, but I’m not sure of that.</p>
<p>what is your actually reason for skipping these classes though-are you trying to graduate early or something? i wouldn’t say it’s a good idea if you are premed. you should still have enough time to space out upper div bio classes, so even if you think the classes are easy for you, take them again anyway. even if you are bored, they will build a pretty good foundation since they cover some topics that their AP equivalents may not (MO theory comes to mind for an example in chem 1A). and if you get good grades in them assuming it is review, that will only look better. i dont know how med schools would perceive on skipping so many important classes. (math 1a, bio 1b might be ok though)</p>
<p>Thank you for your opinions (and the link)!</p>
<p>I mostly want to skip to challenge myself a little and take some interesting classes, not really to graduate early or anything. Also, it does look better to have hard classes with a high GPA. I’m trying find a good balance between workload and keeping my grades up. If I can take an upper division class and do well, I want to know early on instead of finding out too late. So, I want to skip some of the more commonly skipped classes and see if I do okay. Haha, there’s a little risk involved, but I have faith in myself. =)</p>
<p>At this point, I am thinking of skipping Math 1A and one of the bios (probably 1B since 1A seems to be the harder/more intensive of the two). </p>
<p>It seems that no one really skips chem? Also, I heard 4a-4b is harder than 1a-1b, but neither are honors/upper division classes, so is it worth it to take 4a-4b?</p>
<p>Only chem/chembio/cheme students should take the Chem 4 series.</p>
<p>If you are premed, you should not skip anything. Unless you major in MCB, your lower division courses on average will be more challenging than your upper division courses.</p>
<p>Also, IB no longer allows you to AP out of any of the Bio 1 courses. I think MCB may have the same position now.</p>