<p>I'm going to UVa next year as a BME major. UVa will give me credit for my AP Chem exam in the form of not having to take chem 141 and 142 ... meaning that I <em>might</em> be going into organic right off the bat? Should I do that as a pre-med?</p>
<p>No. There is a time of adjustment that goes on during the freshman year, and having to tackle organic in your first semester of college is not conducive with getting a good grade (or having a good time). This is especially true, since it will be likely that you will be taking the engineering form of organic (usually more rigorous).</p>
<p>You also need to realize that many medical schools do not accept AP credit for the basic sciences (bio, chem, physics). You may be able to get around that by taking biochem later or another chemistry course, but it would be very unfortunate to realize in your junior year or later that you need to retake gen chem.</p>
<p>Finally, if you think you would do well on the AP exam, then you likely get general chem - what's wrong with taking it again, and assuring yourself of getting a good grade?</p>
<p>What did you score on the AP? A 5 - nothing lower - might merit skipping. You just take biochem to compensate.</p>
<p>I think there are some situations in which skipping might be advisable, but I'd agree with BRM most of the time.</p>
<p>I was actually with the IB Chem program (SL since I was a junior at the time), but I did some self-study and with some luck, I got a 4. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, I was leaning towards re-taking it. =)</p>
<p>As a BME major myself I say retake it, you won't regret it, it can only help you the 2nd time around.</p>