Should’ve said that I haven’t taken most of the AP tests, the one I passed was English. I’m going straight A&M
Even if you got a 5 on the AP English exam…most colleges still require at least one English course. My kid got a 5 on his AP English Literature exam. His college typically had a four course requirement for all students (freshman writing one, and one literature one, plus two additional). He had to take the freshman writing course and one additional semester of English.
I think that even with a 5 on the AP exam, you will still be taking an English course in college, probably something related to writing.
I got a 3😭 I’ll def take some kind of english course in college but I’m guessing it’ll look bad to med schools if I test out of my first sem English course with a 3
At most colleges, you probably won’t be awarded college credit for a three on the AP exam.
On the a&m website it says a 3 can test you out AP/IB Credits - Testing Services but is it a good idea to use it?
Wait and discuss AP with advisor at NSC, don’t ’accept’ it prior. They will advise you, and that’s also when you register for classes.
Why haven’t you taken the exams for the other AP classes?
If you decide to take the other AP exams, and you ask for college credit for any courses that are required for medical school admissions, there will be the expectation that you take a higher level course in that subject.
@WayOutWestMom can explain this better than I can.
Don’t take the credit - med schools want at least 1 semester and often 2 of college English, and won’t accept AP credit as a substitute. Furthermore, with a 3, you’ve probably got to work on your English skills. Your 2nd English class could be related to Writing in the Sciences or Health communication but you want the strongest college English prep because you’ll need it in several classes. And remember you need to work for an A (ie., bring draft 10 days ahead to office hours, secure a tutor from the writing center 1st week for the semester for all dates before a paper is due and before everyone else has the same idea…)
@MYOS1634 is right. Med schools strongly prefer to see actual college coursework, not AP credits. Because the quality of AP instruction varies so much from school to school, AP credits are consider a weaker option for pre-reqs. Also AP credits just convey credit, and don’t show a grade equivalent. Adcomms really like to see actual grades so they can compare students head-to-head.
Most med schools require or strongly recommend (which in med school speak = require) all AP credits be supplemented with additional graded coursework in the same dept. so that adcpmms can see how competitive you are when compared to actual students at your college.
Physicians do a lot of writing–patient notes, chart notes, journal articles, presentations, speeches, etc-- you need good writing and good oral communications skills to be a doctor.
Also when applying to med school, you will be writing literally dozens of short essays on a variety of topics. Your personal statement and secondary essays are your one chance to convince whoever is reading then that you deserve a chance to be doctor. If you can’t present your ideas and reasons clearly and convincingly, then you won’t be getting an interview or an admission.
there’s a couple upper level English classes I have to take to complete the degree, I did well in ap lang and my reading SAT but I’m pretty bad at ap tests
Please keep this in mind if you decide to apply to medical school and get accepted. You will be taking tests for just about the rest of your life…and important ones that will determine the future of your medical career.
MCAT, Step 1, 2 and 3 tests, shelf tests done after many required rotations during medical school, written and oral board exams in your specialty area (with renewals at intervals depending on specialty).
And all of the assessments you will be doing during medical school.
It’s one test after the next after the next after the next, and you get to pay for all of them (and they aren’t cheap).
Caveat: AMCAS doesn’t want doctors to all be from rich families, so if your family income justifies it, there’s some FA for the MCAT - however you DO need savings to pay for interview travel expenses.
So, you need straight As in all your classes (and in college, unlike HS, that means office hours+tutors to polish everything) + volunteering + experience + leadership. All on you - even if you don’t have much money. That’s why for premeds a good choice is the best combination of academically strong&lowest cost option where they’re top 25% but not top 5% (so they stand out but aren’t without peers). Most importantly, avoid loans if you can -if you can’t, stick to federal loans (5.5k for Freshman year as a maximum).
Yes aid for the MCAT. But what about all the other tests that are not free?
And my point was really…if this kid doesn’t feel confident taking AP tests, the MCAT is not going to be easier!
@BlueSkies21 how did you do on SAT & ACT?
I was trying not to discourage OP for $$$ reasons. OP or other readers may be lower income as logically as they may be upper middle class and costs are a huge mental and objective barrier. Kids need to be realistic about their odds but being discouraged by costs only impacts one group.
AMCAS has been trying to find the best possible doctors from all social groups (as much as possible… doctors’ kids still > other upper middle class groups which > other groups.)
Being GOOD at taking tests is however absolutely necessary. OP has a few months to gain the skills and/or find the right anxiety meds.
@BlueSkies21 : all premeds mudt have a Plan B. What’s yours?
Agree.
I have no experience with A&M, but I do have a lot of experience with everything else being talked about here.
Can you graduate in 3 years – yes.
Should you try – no. Unless…
College (assuming A&M is like the big public uni where I went) is HARD.
I’ve met people who during orientation brag they are the best from their HS and they’ll be at Harvard Med in no time, only to be humbled after the first exam and some get put on AP after two quarters and had to re-evaluate their life choices.
A friend of mine consistently took over 22 units and had a 4.0 GPA, he could have finished in 3 years and even then decided not to because there are so many other things he wanted to learn. Academically, he is a monster. Can’t be compared to us mortals.
Like everyone else said, med school is not just grades and test scores. It is a new resume building. No one cares what you did in HS (unless it’s a Westinghouse level award). You need time to build up research/volunteer/ hook and three years of book studying will not leave you time.
Unless your parents is on faculty and get get you in, then you just need to show up.
My advice…SLOW DOWN! Out of all the “premed” students coming out of high school, very few of them actually go to medical school. It’s seriously not for most people, and as kids mature, they find hidden passions. The typical college student changes their major at least once. Go in with an open mind and EXPLORE your interests. You’re older self will thank you later