Question regarding course selection in light of chemistry prerequisites.

[snakemuffin]

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So I am a final year undergrad, looking to apply to MD and DO schools this upcoming May. As it stands, I have AP credit for general chemistry counting towards my degree. The trouble is that after looking through MSAR and calling a few med schools, it looks like the AP credit will not count towards my "two semesters of inorganic chemistry". Right now, I have two options:
1) I can take two semesters of upper level chemistry, which are notoriously difficult (and have very convoluted grading) at my school
or
2) I can take gen chem with the freshmen.
I am leaning towards taking gen chem, since I am also studying for the mcat (and so it may be helpful, seeing as I haven't done chemistry in a while). My only concern is that it will look strange to be taking introductory chemistry my senior year. What do you guys think? Should I take gen chem, or upper level chemistry classes?

Also, add drop deadline is tonight haha. Thank you.

 

[snakemuffin]

So taking gen chem my final year wont be looked down upon?

 

[KnightDoc]

So taking gen chem my final year wont be looked down upon?

I think it will be, because the schools will also see your AP credits. You're between a rock and a hard place. People like you are expected to take upper level courses if you already have AP credit for prereqs. So the question is, would you rather be looked down upon for retaking gen chem as a senior, or for doing poorly in an upper level class? Worst case -- you manage to not get As as a senior in a gen science class you already have AP credit for.

 

[snakemuffin]

Hmm I'm definitely at a loss. Maybe I should take the gen chem, get A's then take an upper level next semester?

 

[MyOdyssey]

Hmm I'm definitely at a loss. Maybe I should take the gen chem, get A's then take an upper level next semester?

Physical chemistry is the toughest of the upper level chem classes. Avoid that unless you’re a mathematical stud muffin who’s comfortable with ordinary and partial differential equations.

Your gen chem followed by upper level chem sounds good. If you choose this path, go for the generic inorganic chemistry class that most universities offer.

I suspect you’ll find college general chem quite challenging. Most high school students with chem AP credits (esp with scores < 5) are quite challenged by general chemistry. Don’t tank that class!

Make sure you’ve got the gen chem lab credits covered too!