Chem Requirements

[sunshine02]

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I have AP credit that I want to use to cover the 2 years of chem required for med school, but I've heard that top med schools actually prefer students w/ 5s on APs to take general chemistry before moving on to orgo. Is that true? Would it be better to do so instead of taking orgo first?

 

[blub1212]

I have AP credit that I want to use to cover the 2 years of chem required for med school, but I've heard that top med schools actually prefer students w/ 5s on APs to take general chemistry before moving on to orgo. Is that true? Would it be better to do so instead of taking orgo first?

Some of the schools I applied to wouldn't take any AP credits for required classes. Some only take a certain number of AP credits. If you already have an idea what schools you want to apply to, I would recommend you look on their websites to see what their requirements are. Otherwise, just know if you use the AP credits, there are some schools that you won't meet their academic requirements.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

IMO, AP chem test is a joke compared to college gen chem. I learned nothing in high school AP chem and somehow managed a 4 on the test--seriously, I do not believe that my score at all reflected my abilities. You will find the MCAT a lot easier if you spend the time taking the full sequence of gen chem in college so that you really understand the material.

 

[Miss Terious]

IMO, AP chem test is a joke compared to college gen chem. I learned nothing in high school AP chem and somehow managed a 4 on the test--seriously, I do not believe that my score at all reflected my abilities. You will find the MCAT a lot easier if you spend the time taking the full sequence of gen chem in college so that you really understand the material.

+1
Take Gen chem. I got a 5 on AP Chem and I am so glad that I decided to take Gen Chem. For one, it was an easy GPA booster and also many medical schools do not accept AP credit without higher level Chem classes being taken in their place.

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[AestheticGod]

IMO, AP chem test is a joke compared to college gen chem. I learned nothing in high school AP chem and somehow managed a 4 on the test--seriously, I do not believe that my score at all reflected my abilities. You will find the MCAT a lot easier if you spend the time taking the full sequence of gen chem in college so that you really understand the material.

Though I agree that taking chem again is a good idea..but ap chem in high school was a joke? I've never taken it, but i've heard terrible stories about it from friends

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Though I agree that taking chem again is a good idea..but ap chem in high school was a joke? I've never taken it, but i've heard terrible stories about it from friends

Of course it varies by school. My AP chem class was a lot of work, but didn't teach me much useful information. And I really do believe there is no way I should have gotten a 4 on the exam based on my knowledge of chemistry. My point is that regardless of whether you took AP chem in high school, you should take both semesters of gen chem in college.