Need advice!!Urgent!!

[estelyk]

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I was filling out the secondaries the other day until I reached the prerequisite grid.

I realized that most schools require 1 year of lecture+lab in general chem, phys, and bio. However, due to excellent AP scores, I have earned enough credits to exempt for gen chem and phy. Will this hurt my application? Because I read from Boston U that it is not preferred to have AP exemptions.
I am a chem major and have taken many upper level chem courses and 1 upper level physics course. Will this compensate?

Another thing..When they say they require 1 year of lecture+lab do they mean 2 courses of lecture + 2 courses of lab? Or do they mean 1 course of lecture and 1 course of lab? I have only taken 1 bio lab course and 2 lectures... Does that mean I do not meet their requirements?
I am hoping to apply to med school this year, with a 3.6 GPA and 35P mcat.
Please let me know if I am in trouble!!

 

[UnfeatyOblation]

You should check with each school to see how they handle. Some probably accept AP credits, and some don't.

 

[Mattabet]

I agree. This is going to depend on the specific requirements of your schools. If they say a 'year of lab', then you're going to be out of luck at those places. Some will let you substitute AP credit for some chunk of lecture or lab, some won't. I would check the websites, and if you still have questions, send them an e-mail. They're usually pretty good about getting back on stuff like that.

 

[teddy bear doc]

The other two posters are right. Some accept AP, some don't. For chemistry, you should be okay though, since upper division chem with lab should satisfy the requirement. I did the same thing in bio, but again, check with individual schools. If they don't accept AP, you will still need 1 more semester of physics probably.

 

[PreMedHopeful]

I am using AP BIO credit....is this bad? Because I'm very confused?!!

 

[ygree001]

If you need to, you can take another lab course during this year and put it down as 'in progress' or 'planned' on the grid. Schools don't (generally) require you to have finished all the prereqs by the time you apply, just have it done by the time you matriculate.

 

[futile]

I am using AP BIO credit....is this bad? Because I'm very confused?!!

I'm kind of confused by your post. My understanding is this:

If your school only offers ONE two credit lab for two semesters of bio or chemistry (my school does this with orgo), this counts as a "year of orgo with lab"

Lots of schools look down on AP credits for whatever reason, but why don't you try taking an upper level class this next year? This will show your dedication AND work for the requirements.

I'm not really sure what to do if you need a whole year of physics and a whole year of chemistry. How many classes did you get out of with AP credit?

 

[estelyk]

Because of AP chem and phy, I did not have to take general chem(a lab + lecture course). I also did not have to take level 1 and level 2 physics(both are also lab+lecture).
But, I have taken 1 extra physics course which is a upper level(just lecture).
What I am most confused about is what does '1 year of lecture+lab' mean?
If I have taken 1 bio lab course and 2 bio lectures, does this satisfy the requirement for 1 year of bio lab+lecture?

 

[URHere]

If I have taken 1 bio lab course and 2 bio lectures, does this satisfy the requirement for 1 year of bio lab+lecture?

Was the bio lab course one semester or two? Generally, you are expected to have 2 semesters of lecture and 2 semesters of lab. At many schools, labs are worked into the general science classes one evening a week (for example, my school counted gen. bio lecture as 4 credits, and the lab as an additional 1 credit). If your lab was only one semester, or if it was a completely independent 3-4 credit lab course, you are in a different boat, and you should check with schools directly.

If you want to be on the safe side, register for a biology lab this coming semester. Many courses offer labs, including genetics, biochem, and micro. Some schools even require genetics and biochem as prereqs, so taking one of those courses + lab couldn't hurt you.

 

[TAWS]

As far as I know...

Say a school requires 1 year of lecture and lab for chem

If you have AP Chem credit and took a single semester of general chemistry with lab, you have satisfied the chem lecture and lab requirement. AP credit should count as a semester of lab and lecture. Same goes for biology.

It is ridiculous for med schools to ask you to take a semester of upper-level chemistry with lab because for many schools, this would require you to take a full year of Physical Chemistry with a separate lab class.

 

[dru2002]

As far as I know...

Say a school requires 1 year of lecture and lab for chem

If you have AP Chem credit and took a single semester of general chemistry with lab, you have satisfied the chem lecture and lab requirement. AP credit should count as a semester of lab and lecture. Same goes for biology.

It is ridiculous for med schools to ask you to take a semester of upper-level chemistry with lab because for many schools, this would require you to take a full year of Physical Chemistry with a separate lab class.

But many schools do not accept AP credit. Whether it is ridiculous or not is irrelevant. That is how it is.


For most medical schools a year is 8 credits on a semester system (6 of lecture and 2 of lab).

 

[TAWS]

But many schools do not accept AP credit. Whether it is ridiculous or not is irrelevant. That is how it is.


For most medical schools a year is 8 credits on a semester system (6 of lecture and 2 of lab).

I don't know where you get that many schools don't accept AP credit because most schools (80% or more) do accept AP credit but with limitations, such as it has to appear on your transcript and it can only count for one semester. In fact, the only school I came across that doesn't flat out accept AP credit is Vanderbilt.

 

[dru2002]

I don't know where you get that many schools don't accept AP credit because most schools (80% or more) do accept AP credit but with limitations, such as it has to appear on your transcript and it can only count for one semester. In fact, the only school I came across that doesn't flat out accept AP credit is Vanderbilt.

20% sounds like many to me. Harvard, Hopkins and USUHS also don't accept AP. Jeez people get so defensive.