Advice please: Should I take an extra class for just a few schools?

[kestralray]

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Hey guys, I was wondering if you could give me your opinions on the matter.

I passed out of gen chem with AP credit. I have taken orgo and 1 quarter of introductory biochem. other than that, I have no upper level chemistry.

So far, I know this is a problem for USC and UCLA, and I'm a little worried it might come up for other schools, since a few say AP credit is okay, but recommend taking upper level courses. Originally, I thought that I would be fine since I took organic chemistry, thus showing that I made use of my AP credit.... but I think I may have misinterpreted that.

I'm pretty sure all i'm missing (science wise) is one quarter/semester of chemistry + lab. Initially, when I thought it was just UCLA, I figured that I would just not do their secondary... but now it's 2 schools. I know, that's 2 out of about 20... but it kinds of feels like every last school matters...

Does anyone think it's worth it to sign up for 1 semester of gen chem? I'd take an upper level chem course, but I'm not sure I'd do well after so long without chem, and I'm working full time right now.

btw: I've already graduated. otherwise this would be a fairly simple fix. 🙁

 

[Fivo]

If the cost and time of taking that class seems worth it to YOU as in those schools are some of your top choices, then do it. No one knows how bad you want to go to UCLA or USC or the other schools that might require it.

 

[Xenops]

I would email/call the rest of the schools to see what their standards are. You have taken a full year of organic, yes? Plus some biochem? I would think these could prove that you're able to do chemistry, but I don't know.

 

[kestralray]

I was just wondering if anyone else thought this was reasonable, or if they would do it. I know I have to evaluate it myself... but I was just wondering on a scale of 1 to 10 how crazy it is.

 

[boshtrich]

Most schools don't require that pre-reqs be complete when you apply so you could apply to these schools and go through the regular admissions process. If you get in to a school that doesn't accept AP credit, you would then need to take gen chem to matriculate, but if you wouldn't need to do it until you were holding an acceptance, and can often do it in the summer.