What does "strongly encouraged/recommended" to not use AP credits actually mean?

[Danny L]

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Almost every school I've looked at said they accept AP credits for their requirements (especially math), but they always have a line that says something like they recommend that you take the course in college to build stronger competencies.

Are they saying this in a "this will help you in your future studies/MCAT" sense or are they saying this in a "we're not going to FORCE you to take these courses in college, but we will secretly look poorly on your application if you don't" sense (like when your boss "recommends" that you do something)?

 

[LizzyM]

You could walk into college with AP credits in biology, chemistry, physics, English and psychology and take only organic chemistry and call it a day. You would have a grade only for Organic. That is not a good way to build competencies or prove that you have the right stuff. I think that's what medical schools are trying to avoid.

 

[efle]

Perhaps it's "using high school (or in some cases community college) credits will meet our requirement, but will not impress upon us a mastery of the material like acing university coursework does"

So if you're bringing a stellar MCAT and straight A's in upper level sciences, it's not going to cause an issue with requisite classes if you never took Calc 101 in college. I doubt they'd ding you for it. If you're bringing a bunch of high school or CC credits for the prereqs and then do mediocre at university, and/or bring a weaker MCAT, then now you're lacking any convincing evidence that you can handle tough science work.

That's my best guess anyways, I'm sure someone in admissions will give you a better answer!

 

[efle]

Whoops LizzyM already answered!

You would have a grade only for Organic.

That is not a good way to build competencies or prove that you have the right stuff.

Looks like I was close!

 

[bc65]

Plus, you won't be as prepared for the MCAT as those who actually took a full college course.

 

[May real name is...]

Most schools will require you to take an upper level course in the same subject to make up for it. I'm not taking the classes that I've APd out of myself. I've found it very beneficial to get upper level courses done early. Unless your state or dream school doesn't take AP credits, I think using them is great. Having more personable professors is a big plus. A lot of those med school pre-reqs will be huge classes and getting help could be difficult. Adcoms apparently don't care, but your professors and P.Is might be looking for your completion of certain things.

It seems that oftentimes, you can replace a 2 semester introductory course with 1 semester of an upper level course. I think this is a great deal. I think that taking 1 less course makes it easier to get As, even with classes that are a little more difficult.

This is based by my experiences so far at least. I'm just a fellow undergraduate.

Or you could take higher level courses, get Bs and just lose. My only B so far was in a class that I wasn't prepared for because I took the prerequisite AP test without taking the class... so that's something to think about.

 

[Tenk]

It means don't use them.

Also, retaking courses you took in high school can significantly pad your GPA giving you an edge. My only A+ in college was in calculus. I could have walked in and taken the final on day 1.

 

[TaupePremed]

If at all possible, do not use AP credits for premed requirements.

Ideally you should retake the class in college so you have a real grade, and probably a good grade. You get to meet a professor. You almost certainly learn the subject matter better.

Second choice, take a higher-level class in that field. If you have an AP credit instead of intro chemistry, then be sure to take organic chemistry I and II in college. This is actually more impressive but makes it harder to get the best grades.

Third choice, use AP credits as sparingly as possible.

Having lots of AP credits is not impressive in and of itself, they can't tell whether you got 3's or 5's, and even 5's aren't that impressive.

 

[working123]

While this thread is active, do you guys know how med schools in Illinois feel about skipping gen chem? Any I should steer away from? I took Orgo as a freshman instead but I'm not majoring in Chem or anything..