Taking physics 1 even though I have AP credit?

[paul2752]

Assuming the GPA isn't a problem, which one would be better?

Having A in Physics 1 and Physics 2?

Or

Having AP credit in physics 1 and getting A in Physics 2?

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[aalamruad]

The former

 

[Lannister]

I really don't think it matters. I got AP Physics C credit, took calc-based Physics 2 during fall of my junior year, then went back and took algebra-based Physics 1 two summers later. I was nervous that it looked suspicious but one ever asked me about it during interviews. I wish I hadn't wasted my time retaking Physics 1, it wasn't worth it.

 

[paul2752]

The reason I am hesistant to take Physics 1 in our school is because...the teachers teaching it in our school are known to be awfully heavy in homework just to make students spend more time in it(this targets lots of non physics majors) and barely proficient in teaching the subject. Joy.

 

[Dandine]

To answer your question: there may be some schools that won't take AP credit for pre-reqs, but I'd research those schools to be sure. Otherwise, either is fine.

Yep, sounds like physics. Have you been planning what classes you'd be taking with physics, just out of curiosity?

 

[paul2752]

Well I m done with almost all pre med pre reqs except psychology, physics and biochem(I m taking biochem semester).

My schedule for spring is

University Honors: College readines
Honors Physics II
BioChem biology version
Intro to Biochem engineering
Chem E Lab 1.

 

[Dandine]

Ah, ok. Seems your schedule's set. I'd say if you're really concerned about how taking just physics II would look to schools, take a look at which schools which would only take college pre-reqs as opposed to AP. All else fails, @Lannister 's strategy seems plausible with taking Physics I after, although not sure how that would work if you're currently using AP Physics as the pre-req credit. Worst case scenario you may have to take it before you graduate (assuming you apply to a school that wants you to take Physics I).

Don't let it freak you out; just providing input with what I know about pre-reqs. Most schools will let you have AP cred so you should be fine.

 

[TheBiologist]

i feel like physics is the one class AP credit is okay for

you want to take biology and chemistry at college prob

but tbh, why not just get an easy A in physics 1 if you passed the AP exam?

 

[Lawpy]

so this is something I am curious but @gonnif I would like your input on the following:

Do medical schools with strict no AP exam policy want intro prereqs to be completed no matter what?

As an example, suppose I used AP credit to place out of intro physics 1 and 2 and instead took several upper level and graduate level physics courses and demolished them.

Also assume I crushed the MCAT with 520+ and 131+ on physics section. Are there medical schools that absolutely demand me to take intro level physics no matter what? If so, what are they?

 

[paul2752]

I actually did researches on AP policies, and many schools accept AP credits on Physics. The root of dilema;
1) we have bad professors
2) I got 4 on AP physics C becasue of huge curve. My teacher was horrible.

 

[paul2752]

so this is something I am curious but @gonnif I would like your input on the following:

Do medical schools with strict no AP exam policy want intro prereqs to be completed no matter what?

As an example, suppose I used AP credit to place out of intro physics 1 and 2 and instead took several upper level and graduate level physics courses and demolished them.

Also assume I crushed the MCAT with 520+ and 131+ on physics section. Are there medical schools that absolutely demand me to take intro level physics no matter what? If so, what are they?

Please don't hijack my thread....your questions are not really related to mine.

 

[Dr_Grabow]

I actually did researches on AP policies, and many schools accept AP credits on Physics. The root of dilema;
1) we have bad professors
2) I got 4 on AP physics C becasue of huge curve. My teacher was horrible.

If your teacher was horrible in high school, then I would definitely want to review the material again by taking the university course. If I recall, this will not contribute to your science GPA if you use AP credit, whereas actual university credit will contribute to your sGPA. Furthermore, calculus based physics, though challenging, is excellent preparation for the physical sciences section of the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[Lawpy]

Part of the accrediation process of a medical school includes publically defining admissions policies and requirements and subsequent adherence to those policies and requirements. It is my impression that with the growth of new medical schools in the past decade and the "cultural" worry that the pace of increase could lead to schools bring below standards, LCME has become more strict in seeing adherence to these policies. So a school that has no exception to introductory coursework but then regularly grants waiviers for such indicates ab issue. This is why most schools have some sort of substitution allowed for AP coursework written into their policies. So it isnt simply the applicant's work that is at play here

as a real world example, several years ago I had a non trad PhD chemist get accepted to med school but prematriculation found he was missing intro to Bio II (plants, evolution, ecology) and he to go sit in a summer class.

As schools move to core comptencies from specific prereqs, this will become less of an issue.

example below fromWCMC on AP

1. Advanced Placement credit. AP credit from high school can be used to satisfy the WCMC requirement in physics. AP credit in other areas cannot be used to satisfy the WCMC requirement. If a student has AP credit in an area other than physics, the student fulfills the WCMC requirement by completing advanced science coursework.

example from SUNY Upstate on substitution

Can other science courses like Organic Chemistry II or Microbiology be used to complete your prerequisites?
No. We will not accept any other science courses as substitutions for our required prerequisites.

Great thanks!

Please don't hijack my thread....your questions are not really related to mine.

Actually, the questions are relevant to the discussion at hand regarding AP policy. If medical schools want Physics 1 no matter what, then regardless of the AP exam, you should take it, especially with the added benefit of an easy A.

I actually did researches on AP policies, and many schools accept AP credits on Physics. The root of dilema;
1) we have bad professors
2) I got 4 on AP physics C becasue of huge curve. My teacher was horrible.

In your case, you should take physics 1. You can avoid the problem of bad professors by taking at an easier place with easier university. As long as you have the prereqs completed before matriculation, you're fine.

 

[Dandine]

Also should add in some cases taking it in the summer may be useful if your school happens to have adjunct faculty. Couple of classmates went that route at my undergrad and enjoyed their physics experience; seemed less rushed and more helpful for learning. There's of course the downside of extra tuition but it's another option. (This is basically what Lannister did but in the case of my classmates it was with faculty who only specifically taught in the summer.)

 

[paul2752]

Thanks for all the inputs! I will have to change my schedule asap...

Another question is..I started school on Spring semester, and I finished my 4th term this fall 2017. I plan to gradaute on May 2019(because I plan to do some internships). Does it mean it would be ideal to start applying May 2018 if I want to go to med school immediately after undergrad?

 

[Lannister]

Thanks for all the inputs! I will have to change my schedule asap...

Another question is..I started school on Spring semester, and I finished my 4th term this fall 2017. I plan to gradaute on May 2019(because I plan to do some internships). Does it mean it would be ideal to start applying May 2018 if I want to go to med school immediately after undergrad?

Correct, you'd submit your AMCAS in summer 2018.