Withdraw from Bio 181 because I already have AP credit

Nerdigurumi · 09-05-2012, 09:30 PM

I want to withdraw from this class because
A)there is an hour commute both ways, half of which takes gas money
B)each week it wastes 10 hours of time in class time and travel time alone
C)I took AP Bio and got a 4 on the test, so I already have college credit and the class is just review

on the other hand,
A)I will receive a W
B)I don't know if medical school will accept my AP credit

getting out of this class will also allow me to take a different one next semester (its a 2 semester class)

I'm not sure if I should withdraw because I want to be able to get into medical school.

bananafreak2u · 09-05-2012, 09:34 PM

Med school most likely will NOT accept ap credit

Nerdigurumi · 09-05-2012, 10:46 PM

I need to take another year of biology, but it is a more advanced course than this. Wouldn't that also fill the requirement of most medical schools?
The classes are named Bio 201 (and 202): Human Anatomy and Physiology

Nerdigurumi · 09-05-2012, 11:08 PM

I also need a semester of microbiology and genetics to graduate

kristin5792 · 09-05-2012, 11:17 PM

If you're opting out of a lower/intro level bio class in order to take a higher one, that would be fine. If you were planning to use only your AP credit and were not planning to take any more bio classes, then you'd be in trouble. You need a year of bio--you don't necessarily need a year of intro bio. I also used AP credit to get out of intro bio, took plenty of upper level bio classes, and am currently a med student.

Nerdigurumi · 09-05-2012, 11:24 PM

Thank you for the advice! I have plenty of science classes and 4 other "bio" classes ahead of me. If I can eliminate unnecessary work and time that could be used to get a head start on other classes, I want to do that. Your input is very much appreciated!

plumazul · 09-06-2012, 12:12 AM

OP,
Although a 4 on the AP exam is good enough for some schools to award some credit, it is a weak score. You can miss a very large percentage of the questions on the exam and still get a 4. You need to know and understand this stuff. It will be on the MCAT and assumed in upper level courses.

kristin5792 · 09-06-2012, 01:02 AM

^At first glance, I disagree. I know at my university, for example, intro bio is just a survey course. If you have decent bio background knowledge (and I'd argue that 4 is at least decent), you would be fine skipping intro bio and going right into the next level at my school--in fact, many successful students do.

But I can see how intro bio at your school may be way more important than it is at mine. To that end, I'd recommend the OP critically examine the course's syllabus (you should already have it!) and page through the required text books to determine if this class really is just a review, or if it's going into considerably more depth than AP so it might be worth taking.

In general, I think it's a good idea to have a great foundation in all classes. I definitely love learning for the sake of learning--heck, I don't think I'd survive med school any other way--but I don't think the OP should suffer through this course (and all the associated time/money cost!) if really it's just a review.

plumazul · 09-06-2012, 02:32 PM

@kristin, I was not suggesting that the OP retake the class. On the contrary, I have been a consistent advocate for making the most of your undergrad years(I am taking 2 grad courses this term). I was simply pointing out that the OP might want to spend some free time going over the topics covered in the AP Bio class. The trend at universities around the country is to no longer accept less than a 5 for any credit/placement.

Kdog044 · 09-06-2012, 04:01 PM

My son is a bio major and skipped intro with his subject level exam score. He is taking Cell Bio and Genetics as well as another upper level course so no worries as long as you are taking upper level courses.

Kdog044 · 09-06-2012, 04:35 PM

One other note, you will need to make sure you have a year of upper level Bio labs too.

Nerdigurumi · 09-06-2012, 11:57 PM

So are, anatomy, genetics, microbiology and physiology all considered "bio" classes to most medical schools, or are they seen as their own courses? Thank you, I just want to be certain.

MiamiDAP · 09-10-2012, 11:42 AM

Check with pre-med advisor, only they will know what type of class is your first Bio. At D's school first Bio went thru AP Bio material in first 2 weeks and them they moved on. It is very different from school to school. D. had 5 on AP Bio and said that her success in many other Bio classes would not be possible without the first class. She took cell, physiology, genetics, anatomy, many neuroscience classes.

bluebayou · 09-10-2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

At D's school first Bio went thru AP Bio material in first 2 weeks and them they moved on.

Not-so-small nit: your D's school did not offer Gen Bio!

kristin5792 · 09-10-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

So are anatomy, genetics, microbiology and physiology all considered "bio" classes to most medical schools, or are they seen as their own courses?

Probably. Are they part of the bio department? (Eg: is anatomy also called "BIO 207" or something) If they are, then yes. If not, then maybe.

Note that only classes intended for bio or science majors count toward med school. If any of those classes is intended for nonmajors, nursing majors, health professions students, etc--anything other than science majors--then it won't fulfill bio prerequisites. (Which isn't to say it was a bad idea or worthless to take it--it just won't fulfill those credits.)