general chem -> AP chem?

[Jamespm]

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First, thanks for your help. After a 5 in AP Chemistry, I placed out of general chemistry in college. I got A's in 2 semesters of organic chemistry with lab at a top ivy. I took one additional semester of chemistry, however it was an environmental chemistry class without a lab. I got a 14 on the physical sciences section of the MCAT.

Now, I am worried that I do not meed the admissions requirements for several of the schools to which I am applying. I haven't vetted them all (maybe I do need an MSAR!) but clearly UCLA says NO AP credit accepted and Johns Hopkins says if AP credit for gen chem then another semester with lab of advanced chemistry required.

My question is, how hard and fast of a rule do you think this is, and does anyone have evidence that the rule can be broken?

I'm also applying to Harvard, Yale, Pitt, Penn, UVA, Stanford, UCSF. UVA told me I am fine with a good PS score. My undergraduate institution strongly suggested I take biochem this summer, so I can't say I haven't been warned...

Thanks again...

James

 

[TTSD]

This is a question best asked DIRECTLY to the admissions departments.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

A lot of those schools that you mentioned - Harvard, etc. - Do not accept AP credit. You probably wont meet their admission requirements, but schools have been known to bend the rules from time to time. With that said, you probably ought to take biochem regardless. A few schools require it, and its definitely something you'll use/study in medical school. I guarantee that at least one of the schools out of the seven will require more chem from you, so I suggest taking it.

 

[principessa]

This is rarely a hard and fast rule, but you should ask the schools to clarify. Chances are they will want to see some additional chemistry coursework, i.e. p-chem, analytical, or they will just accept it as is.