Quick question.

[I'm No Superman]

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Hey guys, I'm having an argument with a friend and was hoping that you guys could help me out.

Our school has the option to test out of Chem 1 and 2 and go straight to Orgo. Are chem 1 and 2 still required even if you test out of it?

Thanks.

 

[MedPR]

If you can test out of it you can easily get an A. Just take it and enjoy the gpa boost.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[Amazingmuzmo]

I wouldn't test out because some schools absolutely require it and it may be grounds for rejection if you don't have the necessary course. I had someone on the admissions ask me to show all the necessary classes were completed when there was some confusion on my secondary about that. If skipping them means they don't show on your transcript, I wouldn't do it

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Hey guys, I'm having an argument with a friend and was hoping that you guys could help me out.

Our school has the option to test out of Chem 1 and 2 and go straight to Orgo. Are chem 1 and 2 still required even if you test out of it?

Thanks.

Don't do it. A lot of schools want to see an actual grade for your required classes, not a pass because you tested out of it. They don't like it because "testing out of it" can just mean that you'd be able to pass the class at some schools. Just breeze through it and take the A.

 

[HipChick]

Most schools still require it

 

[Euxox]

If you have AP credit for the chem courses and don't plan on applying to a UC (most of them don't accept AP credit), then the AP credit will be sufficient for applying to most medical colleges. If you tested out of Chem I and II without receiving credit, you will need to take them. You must have the credit listed on your transcript.

As for retaking courses that you test out of, you are not guaranteed As. Most people at my university come in with 20 - 30 AP credits. About half decide to retake all of those classes for the "easy As." Only about 30% end up getting getting As in all of their retakes. It's plain and simple: college courses are harder than high school courses.

Don't do it. A lot of schools want to see an actual grade for your required classes, not a pass because you tested out of it. They don't like it because "testing out of it" can just mean that you'd be able to pass the class at some schools. Just breeze through it and take the A.

No one will assume that you would have done poorly in a class just because you tested out of it. Instead, adcoms will look at how well you did in the upper level science courses that you took and assume that you would have done about the same in the classes that you skipped.

 

[Irish Football]

Yeah, you need the credit for the class, whether AP or actually taking the class.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

No one will assume that you would have done poorly in a class just because you tested out of it. Instead, adcoms will look at how well you did in the upper level science courses that you took and assume that you would have done about the same in the classes that you skipped.

I didn't say anyone would "assume" anything. They don't know one way or the other if you just have a "credit given" or "complete" for an AP score. Thanks for the input but it's a lot more schools than just the UCs. Here's a list:

http://students.rice.edu/images/stu... allopathic medicine- updated summer 2010.pdf

Also, in many cases schools that do accept AP credit only do so if you've supplemented with higher level courses in the SAME area. Do you really want to be taking P-chem just because you decided to get AP credit for Chem I and II?

 

[Euxox]

I didn't say anyone would "assume" anything. They don't know one way or the other if you just have a "credit given" or "complete" for an AP score.

Transcripts will usually clearly state whether you have credit or a waiver, and if adcoms have any questions they can always contact your registrar, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks for the input but it's a lot more schools than just the UCs. Here's a list:

http://students.rice.edu/images/students/AADV/OWeek2008AADVResources/AP%20credit%20-%20allopathic%20medicine-%20updated%20summer%202010.pdf

Also, in many cases schools that do accept AP credit only do so if you've supplemented with higher level courses in the SAME area. Do you really want to be taking P-chem just because you decided to get AP credit for Chem I and II?

I took AP credit for Chem I and II, so I am well aware of the AP credit policies. Most schools only want to see one semester of an upper level course to cover for two semesters of AP Chem credit. Usually Biochemistry fits the bill. I only saw one school that would not accept Biochemistry as an upper level chemistry course, but they only required Orgo I, so I could substitute in Orgo II as my upper level chemistry course. There is no need to take P-chem.

Taking AP credit for first year sciences is very popular at my school (about half of kids with the credit opt to use it, as I said in my last post) and we have a hundreds of people apply to med school every year. No one seems to have issues with AP credit.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Transcripts will clearly state whether you have credit or a waiver, and if adcoms have any questions, they can always contact your registrar, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I took AP credit for Chem I and II, so I am well aware of the AP credit policies. Most schools only want to see one semester of an upper level course to cover for two semesters of AP Chem credit. Usually Biochemistry fits the bill. I only saw one school that would not accept Biochemistry as an upper level chemistry course, but they only required Orgo I, so I could substitute in Orgo II as my upper level chemistry course. There is no need to take P-chem.

Taking AP credit for first year sciences is very popular at my school (about half of kids with the credit opt to use it, as I said in my last post) and we have a hundreds of people apply to med school every year. No one seems to have issues with AP credit.

I think the OP just needs to clarify what he means. If it's an internal school test that just means he can take orgo without taking chem I or II (no good for sure) or if he gets some kind of AP credit equivalent for it (okay as long as he fills in the necessary classes in the future). OP will also need to keep in mind some schools won't accept AP requirement for labs so he'll probably have to take Chem I and II labs separately.

Again, there are a handful of other schools that straight up just don't take credit. For instance, if the OP lived in Mississippi I would definitely say to take the classes.

 

[I'm No Superman]

I think the OP just needs to clarify what he means. If it's an internal school test that just means he can take orgo without taking chem I or II (no good for sure) or if he gets some kind of AP credit equivalent for it (okay as long as he fills in the necessary classes in the future). OP will also need to keep in mind some schools won't accept AP requirement for labs so he'll probably have to take Chem I and II labs separately.

Again, there are a handful of other schools that straight up just don't take credit. For instance, if the OP lived in Mississippi I would definitely say to take the classes.

Sorry, I was on my phone at the time, I'll clarify.

The test is an internal school test that allows me to take Orgo without first taking chem 1 and 2. While this is good for the engineers that only need Orgo as a prerequisite, the school does not tell the pre med students that chem 1 and 2 are required either way. I have already taken chem 1 and 2 at a different four year college, so this doesn't affect me. My friend, however, did not take ap chem in high school/college and skipped to Orgo. She argued that since she placed into Orgo, she didn't have to take gen chem. I was 99% sure that she had to take them anyways, but I thought that I'd double check with you guys.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Nymphicus]

Sorry, I was on my phone at the time, I'll clarify.

The test is an internal school test that allows me to take Orgo without first taking chem 1 and 2. While this is good for the engineers that only need Orgo as a prerequisite, the school does not tell the pre med students that chem 1 and 2 are required either way. I have already taken chem 1 and 2 at a different four year college, so this doesn't affect me. My friend, however, did not take ap chem in high school/college and skipped to Orgo. She argued that since she placed into Orgo, she didn't have to take gen chem. I was 99% sure that she had to take them anyways, but I thought that I'd double check with you guys.

Thanks for the help.

For nearly every US medical school, she will have to take a year (2 semesters/courses) of "inorganic chemistry."

This is can be accomplished by taking general chemistry 1 and 2 (which is what most people do) or by taking other inorganic classes (often upper division inorganic, pchem, analytical, etc).

 

[911 Turbo]

Who the hell argues about this with friends? Worry about yourself instead

 

[brianmullanl]

I wouldn't test out because some schools absolutely require it and it may be grounds for rejection if you don't have the necessary course

 

[I'm No Superman]

Who the hell argues about this with friends? Worry about yourself instead

I'm just trying to help her out... Contrary to popular belief, not all of us are gunners.

Anyways, thanks everyone.