question about missing classes

[mx21]

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i'm missing a general chem series and i dont know if it's going to cause trouble later on. i took AP chem and received a 5 (which doesn't mean **** for some schools), so i took structural biochem and metabolic biochem (A's in both and 3.96 gpa overall at a UC). will taking more advanced chem classes override the gen chem requirement at most schools?

i also know i'm missing one more quarter of chem. dont know what to take because my school doesnt offer any other chem classes-- should i go back and retake an introductory chem course? anyone know of more advanced chem classes i could take, either at a community college or elsewhere? (don't want to be bored as hell going backwards...)

thanks!

 

[mdbound1987]

The only pre-med requirement you can substitute at some, not all, schools is biochem for the 2nd semester of orgo. General chem is set in stone. It can't hurt to contact a few schools and see if they'll let you slide; however, it probably won't happen.

 

[Catalystik]

Just avoid applying to these schools not accepting AP credit: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~nss/nav/pages/school/Med%20School%20Course%20Reqs/MedSchAP08.pdf

 

[d1ony5u5]

I see you are at UCSD. I was in the exact same position that you are a little less than a year ago, although I had already graduated. Here is what I learned:

Most schools are actually somewhat lenient on the AP when you explain to them that UCSD doesn't let you take general chemistry for credit when you have a 5 on the AP. The fact that you have taken structural and metabolic can count as supplementing, on top of doing well in the MCAT. I would encourage you to confirm this, so you can hear for yourself from the Admissions offices. When I called, UCD and UCSD told me I would be fine. I ended up not being able to talk to UCI. UCSF had already rejected me by the time I was finding out about this.

UCLA, on the other hand, was inflexible. They told me that the best suggestion they could give me was to retake the whole year of Chem in a Community College, before matriculation if I were accepted. The other "option" they gave me was to take a gamble and submit a request directly to the Admissions director asking to be granted an exception given the circumstances, after I was admitted. They cautioned me that this last would most likely fail and I would not be allowed to matriculate without taking the whole series somewhere.

To summarize, you'll be fine at most places with the coursework you already have, except UCLA. If LA is a school you really want to attend, and it is worth to you retaking a whole year of general chemistry just to satisfy them, than CC it is for you!!

Also, did you get credit for your lab work from the AP course (CHEM 6BL)? I did, and it also didn't seem to be a problem for most schools I applied to, but UCLA.

 

[mx21]

Thanks d1ony5u5!

Yeah, I'm at UCSD. I'm not in love with any one school so if UCLA says no, that's fine. I really don't want to take a whole year of chem again. 🙄 And I took Chem 6BL at UCSD so that should be fine.

If anything, I'm glad that UCD and UCSD said it's fine. Also, did you take any supplementary chem courses beyond metabolic and structural biochem?

Thanks!