Using AP Bio credit for TMDSAs

[scarfishfriend]

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Hi, I know this is an age-old question, but I wanted to know yalls opinions as I have a slightly nuanced case. I’m entering my 3rd and final year of undergrad (graduating early) in the fall as a B.A. bio major. I’ve taken all required chemistries, and I’ve taken introductory bio lab, cellular microbiology, genetics, and biochem 1 so far with all As. However, I never took bio 1 or 2 as I have AP credit. As a bio major, I have to take many more upper level bios this upcoming year, and I’m confident I’ll do well. Also, according to TMDSAs website I need 14 bio credits (they never specified that I need bio 1 but maybe that’s implied/expected), which I will have obtained by the end of my degree without taking bio 1. But I know everyone says taking bio 1 at university is highly recommended, and I want as much help as I can get on my app. I just wanna know: do y’all think it’s worth taking bio 1 at this point?

 

[wysdoc]

You don't have to take Bio 1 specifically.
However, TMDSAS schools expect 12 hours of Biology Lecture and 2 hours of Biology Labs of some sort.
If your course history doesn't reflect that, your application will go though normally and schools may assume you are going to fill in those missing Bio courses before matriculating. The schools don't closely scrutinize the course listings of every applicant right now because they don't have the manpower for that. They perform that task after they have offered you admission.
What a disappointment it would be next spring to find out you have an offer, but haven't met all the pre-reqs so you don't actually qualify to attend.
Biochem counts as a biochem credit in TMDSAS (not as a biology credit) and you only need one semester.
If you will accumulate 14 Biology credits (2 of those lab) by graduation you will meet the requirements.

Closely examine the rules about AP credits at each TMDSAS school. Some do not accept them for prereqs (Baylor in particular) and a few others.

 

[scarfishfriend]

You don't have to take Bio 1 specifically.
However, TMDSAS schools expect 12 hours of Biology Lecture and 2 hours of Biology Labs of some sort.
If your course history doesn't reflect that, your application will go though normally and schools may assume you are going to fill in those missing Bio courses before matriculating. The schools don't closely scrutinize the course listings of every applicant right now because they don't have the manpower for that. They perform that task after they have offered you admission.
What a disappointment it would be next spring to find out you have an offer, but haven't met all the pre-reqs so you don't actually qualify to attend.
Biochem counts as a biochem credit in TMDSAS (not as a biology credit) and you only need one semester.
If you will accumulate 14 Biology credits (2 of those lab) by graduation you will meet the requirements.

Closely examine the rules about AP credits at each TMDSAS school. Some do not accept them for prereqs (Baylor in particular) and a few others.

Ok, thanks for your insight!