<p>Hey, I have a simple question. I got 2 6s and 1 7 for my IB Higher level courses but I don’t want to take the credits because the want to do the required classes so that I can retain the course content better and so they are new in my mind when I need the info for the MCATs. So, can I do this? Can I simply not take the credits and do all the classes even though I got 6s and 7s in my IB scores? Please let me know.</p>
<p>Of course!</p>
<p>It is actually a very wise decision not to take all the credit you can (esp. in science and math classes). Students who do that often end up overwhelmed in the higher level classes because they didn’t get a sufficiently thorough education in the AP/IB classes.</p>
<p>btw, nice job on those scores :)</p>
<p>Nice job 
</p>
<p>I slacked off at the last minute before the exams and I got destroyed in the I.B.</p>
<p>Good job Alam. Were these credits in bio and chem? If so, you are making a wise decision for biology at least. Biology 1 here will actually help you (I don’t think 2 is helpful in context of the MCAT, even though it is more interesting than 1) as it covers about all of the MCAT material. But beware, it can be pretty tough (most certainly tougher than 142), and I recommend taking Spell or Eisen (who curves, so you should be alright). You simply need to decide if you want multiple choice-only (Spell), or MC/Short answer essay hybrid (Eisen) exams if you want one of these two. They are harder (actually Calabrese is supposedly a beast too, but he doesn’t teach quite as well. He does Multiple choice), but are the best lecturers. And you forfeit your credit by simply enrolling in whatever course. I think you get credit for non premed bio if you take 141. As for chem. It may or may not be a walk in the park for a person with IB credit. My understanding is that the trick is to finish tests on time. Most of the material you will have seen before, it may just be presented or tested on in a different way in some cases. I can say for certain that the class is taught very well by the big 3 (though there seems to be disagreement about Weaver, I sat in a class and it seemed good to me.). I honestly think it may be good for you to take Orgo., and then take 142, or perhaps 260 (142 on steroids kind of) later. I don’t know if gen. chem will challenge/refresh you or not. However, I guess taking it will cover you in the case you want to apply to a med school that does not accept AP credit.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, I got a 7 in Biology Higher Level… 6 in Chemistry higher level and 6 in English higher level… As far as I know, Emory does not offer credits for Standard Level (I got a 7 in Math SL, 6 in History SL)… So bernie, I simply enroll in whatever classes I want if I don’t want the credits? Could you do me a HUGE favour please? Could you list all the courses I need to take at Emory that are covered in the MCATs and the requirements for med school. For example, under chem is Chem 141 etc. Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Sensation, don’t worry…I don’t think what you get counts that much anymore. I was pretty happy with my scores (40 total points… but got a 5 in French… 
)</p>
<p>Thanks IBFootballer. Congrats on Tufts. Great school!</p>
<p>Human Phys., Bio 141 (142 just merely counts as your second semester in intro. bio, again, I don’t think it’s helpful for you guys, but I like it) Biochemistry helps, Both gen. chems (my friend got a 38, and said that the way gen. chem. was taught indeed made it very helpful), Both orgos. (MCAT orgo. is a breeze compared to stuff here from my understanding) Other Upperlevel bios like human genetics (142 with a great deal more detail), cancer/oncology, and immunology courses. </p>
<p>Orgo. and gen. chem. here are generally taught very well and are at least somewhat challenging. People I’ve talked to do very well on chemistry related sections. I’d imagine that the bio. here may need some improvement. Alam, you are in a good position to get solid As in your first year pre-med courses, you may just have to work for the one in bio. Chem. is always a toss up, and depends on who wants to be the more difficult prof. The stuff at the end of bio 141 is quite tough (its all of the non-mendelian chromosomal genetics, covers gene interaction/epistasis/interference and all things involving genetic mapping extensively. Normally people fail the test on that material if any) for most.</p>
<p>Thanks so much Bernie… really helpful… I was under the false impression I just have to take intro bio to get covered for bio but I have to take those upperlevel bio courses. I am only worried about Physics… I have not taken physics in high school and plan to take physics 141 at Emory… it is Algebra based. My math is strong so should I worry about acheiving an A in that class assuming I work very hard. </p>
<p>Also, could you or someone else explain how the semester system works at Emory… I have gone to non semestered school my whole life so I have no clue how semesters work. Are there two in a year? How many credits do I need in each?</p>
<p>I don’t even know if you have to work hard. Depends on your prof. If it’s Bing or Roth, maybe. Why not Calc.- based if you have credit for it? It’ll look better, plus you may have a little curve to ride (exams are often scaled on a flexible curve) if you are worried.</p>
<p>Oh, and there are two semesters in each year. Normally your courseload will be 4 courses (16 credit hours) per semester. So 32 hours per year.</p>
<p>Oh, I just got some insider information on Spell from another friend (I needed another opinion before I tell this). The rumors are true. I’d imagine that a solid amount of people still flunk her 141 course. She’s really good, but every time people the class starts doing well on the exams, she’ll make it harder. Her test averages are like a roller coaster. My friend basically said, the averages for the 4 exams were like: 85, 63, 8?, and 6?. Also, unlike other profs. she takes the chemistry serious, and tests as if general chem. is a required pre-req (recommended co-rec/prereq, but normally not required). for the course. Unlike most who will actually teach/review the relevant general chemistry material, she just assumes you know it. She apparently puts organic related stuff on there too. So while she does multiple choice, it’s not pleasant multiple choice. She will not curve her course if the average is at C/C+ already (I say this, because I hear her quizzes can be brutal too, so I imagine people don’t fare too much better on those). Point is, a few will say Spell is easy, but most will not. Hopefully you will, but I’m just warning you.
Eisen on the other hand consistently has 60-low 70 range averages, but curves his class orgo. style, so is less harsh on grading, though his test may be harder to many. </p>
<p>Calabrese is more like Spell, but is more likely to drop questions or scale the exams some.<br>
Escobar is the only section where you will never wonder about or particularly hope for a curve, though he may be the worst lecturer (relative to the others, but still not terrible). Has moderate tests with perhaps some questionably worded ones, that you can easily argue for. His tests can be tricky, but not tricky and extremely difficult like Spell or Calabrese. I can’t call Eisen’s “tricky” because his is not mostly multiple choice, and then the small multiple choice section is relatively straightforward, even when covering difficult material. </p>
<p>With this said, I still recommend Spell or Eisen. You’ll get the most preparation with high quality teaching. Calabrese may give you a challenge, but is not as great of a lecturer.
Escobar is a cool person, but has mediocre everything in terms of teaching.</p>