New College Freshman

[youngin]

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I know that this has been asked many times before but can you use AP credit to cover the courses you need for medical school?(search option won't let me look up AP) Because I had passed the AP Chem with a 5 and would be able to go onto organic chemistry. If I do though, that means the only inorganic chemistry i have consists of AP credit. Also is it worth taking organic chemistry your first year?

I also have a question about transferring because i may in fact transfer after a year. Is it true that only credits transfer and not grades? If so then how do medical schools compute it?

At this moment my classes for next year are Linear Algebra, Organic Chem(possibly without lab), General Biology w/ lab, and English. Is this schedule too much or is there something more important to take?

 

[Bones2008]

Med schools differ on their AP policies. Go ahead and take orgo; worry about AP credits later. Don't hold yourself back because of that concern. As far as when to take it, that depends. If you think you're ready, which if you got a 5 on AP Chem it sounds like you probably are, then take it.

When AMCAS (the application service) compiles your GPA and course record, it requires that you send a transcript from every collegiate institution you've attended. So, your grades will definitely count regardless of whether you transfer or not.

Definitely take orgo with lab. It aids learning the material and checks one more thing off your list. If math is your thing, go for the linear algebra, I guess. Honestly, though, I'd take something a little lighter in case you have to spend a lot of time & effort studying on orgo.

 

[youngin]

Ic thanks for the input. If i don't take linear then will taking stats be easier? Also do colleges that do require stats want a year or just a semester of stats?

Edit: Also i found out that my organic chem lab would not be integrated with the organic chem class like most places so i would have to take a completely separate semester just for it.

 

[Bones2008]

Stats usually sucks in college (a lot harder than AP), but maybe not at your school. My recommendation is not taking a math at all, because orgo's pretty tough. You're gonna get plenty of work from orgo and biology, so why not take something like a history or a film class or something?

 

[Vandyfox]

Even if your ogo lab isn't integrated, you will still learn more / better. I hated orgo (and the lab) but can't argue with the fact that the only reason I know Diels-Alder (you'll learn this later, HOLLA to the veterans who know what i'm talking about) is because of my lab experience.

My opinion, and this is just opinion, is to consider avoid jumping into orgo the first year. Yeah, it's hard, but that's not what i'm saying. Taking Gen-Chem first year could be a good way to pad your GPA (6+ hours of A's) since you obviously have a good handle on it from AP. At least, that's what I did, and it helped me. The other side of that is if you're ready, you're ready and you free up elective space, etc for the future.


good luck and enjoy your undergrad years: it's not just a means to med-school !
-Vandyfox

 

[Syranope2]

just to add something here: almost all med schools, if not all, will accept ap credits for classes as long as they are on your college transcript. so what really matters is whether your college actually gives you course credit for taking an ap or if they just let you start off at a higher level. for example, i got a 5 on the physics ap test. my university's policy was to let me skip the first semester of physics and go straight into second semester, BUT they wouldn't give me any actual course credit for having taken the first semester. therefore, even though i had technically passed out of it, i still had to take first semester physics to get it on my college transcript. does that make sense?

 

[youngin]

Yea thanks that's what i needed to know. I wasn't planning to jump right into orgo at first until my chem teacher said you might as well and cuz it would leave me more room for possibly a double major in econ. I guess i'll prolly try to find a way to tone down the math to maybe a gen ed requirement like hist or art appreciation.

I'm actually more worried of classes that are writing intensive because although i am semi descent in writing, it seems like i am not scholarly or writerly, i'm more direct and to the point(scientific), enough which could translate into a low grade and having to struggle. How are english type of classes for you guys?

 

[Kazema]

It looks like you have the right attitude approaching your college courses so you should do well. Just be sure to get help IMMEDIATELY if you have any trouble at all in any of your classes. Don't wait, don't think, "Oh I can figure it out," or "it can't be that important to know." If you sit down and stare at a problem for an hour and can't figure out what's going on, ask for help.

Intro English classes aren't bad, just show up ready for discussion, write drafts for essays and revise them, etc etc. If you make the effort you should do fine.

 

[youngin]

How about not intro english classes cuz i actually have to take the next level since my ap credit would be used(if i didn't i would have the same credit again)?

 

[DrThom]

Even if your ogo lab isn't integrated, you will still learn more / better. I hated orgo (and the lab) but can't argue with the fact that the only reason I know Diels-Alder (you'll learn this later, HOLLA to the veterans who know what i'm talking about) is because of my lab experience.

My opinion, and this is just opinion, is to consider avoid jumping into orgo the first year. Yeah, it's hard, but that's not what i'm saying. Taking Gen-Chem first year could be a good way to pad your GPA (6+ hours of A's) since you obviously have a good handle on it from AP. At least, that's what I did, and it helped me. The other side of that is if you're ready, you're ready and you free up elective space, etc for the future.


good luck and enjoy your undergrad years: it's not just a means to med-school !
-Vandyfox

We played Diels-Alder jeopardy in my organic class. I will remember that reaction for the rest of my life because of it.