Take Intro Bio or CLEP with Upper Division Class Replacement

[Doctorponder]

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Hey all,

Planning to CLEP out of Intro Bio with lab and use upper division courses to replace it, though I don't know if there are any consequences to this. For example, will some schools not accept higher level class replacements? I have a sense that most schools will, but does anyone know the ones that don't?

I will be taking Microbio, Molecular, Genetics, and Physiology.

My understanding of Intro Bio is that it's basically a survey class of biology. With regard to MCAT, the topics should be covered in more depth with the above courses and biochem / gen chem, so I don't think I would be missing too much.

 

[lomm]

Just take intro. You never know what schools will have what requirements when you apply. I tested out of physics and two medical schools I applied to wouldn't accept it.

 

[getdown]

Just take the intro classes. Pad your GPA. There's no added benefit taking all these upper level classes if you end up not doing well. No one's going to care either and any "benefit" you think these classes will help in med school will be gone in a day. Just enjoy college, take it easy and do well.

 

[Doctorponder]

Just take intro. You never know what schools will have what requirements when you apply. I tested out of physics and two medical schools I applied to threw me out

But did you replace them with higher-level physics courses?

 

[lomm]

Nope. Wasn't about to hurt my GPA with advanced physics courses haha. Take intro classes, have fun, enjoy the easy A.

 

[Doctorponder]

Just take the intro classes. Pad your GPA. There's no added benefit taking all these upper level classes if you end up not doing well. No one's going to care either and any "benefit" you think these classes will help in med school will be gone in a day. Just enjoy college, take it easy and do well.

I'm assuming I'm probably going to do well based on my past performance of getting A's in every other pre-req and biochem; but is Intro Bio really that significant to doing well in the upper division bio classes? I haven't taken any yet, but I have a feeling upper division biology courses don't rely too heavily on cumulative knowledge (e.g. math), they just increase in volume of what you need to know. Besides that, my only concern is if there are any med schools that do not accept class replacement with higher-level courses.