Courses Vs MCAT

[Timwfu]

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If someone placed out of introductory courses such as general bio 1/2 to take higher level bio classes, how does that affect MCAT preparation?

Would it be suggested to stay and take courses more relevant to the MCAT?

Would placing out of general bio to take courses like, for example, Structure and Function of Plants, have an adverse affect when preparing for the MCAT?

 

[panasonic52]

I placed out of intro bio but was advised to take it anyways since there would be more information taught in the college class. It might help with MCAT prep, but if you have study materials for the MCAT, just use those. I thought they were sufficient enough when I took it.

 

[Catalystik]

I placed out of intro bio but was advised to take it anyways since there would be more information taught in the college class.

I have also been struck by how VERY different the material covered is in AP Bio vs college-level Bio. Retaking the semester that covers microcellular biology is a good idea if you're not a self-starter. Otherwise, once can supplement with Genetics and Cell Biology, as they will help for the MCAT as well as be relevant to med school.

Structure and Function of Plants: I took this and found it to be useless minutia, however to be fair, texts may vary in their emphasis, so it's conceivable there'd be useful info included (though I find it hard to imagine).

Other useful upper-level Bio: Physiology.

 

[panasonic52]

I have also been struck by how VERY different the material covered is in AP Bio vs college-level Bio. Retaking the semester that covers microcellular biology is a good idea if you're not a self-starter. Otherwise, once can supplement with Genetics and Cell Biology, as they will help for the MCAT as well as be relevant to med school.

Structure and Function of Plants: I took this and found it to be useless minutia, however to be fair, texts may vary in their emphasis, so it's conceivable there'd be useful info included (though I find it hard to imagine).

Other useful upper-level Bio: Physiology.

I wasn't prepared for how different it would be. I got overconfident during freshman year, and I hadn't developed proper college studying skills yet. As a result, I ended up with a C in intro Bio when I could have placed out with an A lol. But I'm glad I learned the extra info that was taught in the college course. I also agree about Genetics. It was very helpful.

 

[Meihua]

I used AP credit for bio, genchem, and physics, took orgo freshman year, and took the MCAT the following summer and did fine (37S). Probably the only area in which I felt my AP preparation was deficient was physiology, but you can get a sufficient working knowledge of that from any decent prep book (I used TPR).

 

[Ladoctora44]

Just take an MCAT prep course if possible. It will help fill in any gaps and might be cheaper in the end than taking extra courses.