Should I take AP Chemistry if I want to go into the Medical field?

Question

I'm a senior and I have 4 AP classes right now. The only one that worries me is AP Chem. I took regular chemistry in 9th grade so I hardly remember anything and I think I'm probably the most behind in my class of 13 kids (thats all). I just want to go to a good in-state college (CO..not much competition at all) and I don't wanna suffer my senior year. I want to major in Bio and I think I'll be a dentist...maybe a general doctor. But do you think I should take Chem even though its only my teacher's 2nd year of teaching and he sucks hardcore and he's very cold? My sis says yes because she thinks I'm gonna have to take it in College anyways...but if I don't pass this AP exam isn't the class rendered useless?

Answer 1

You're going to have to take it in college anyways, even if you get a 5, in all likelihood! A secret trick to busting the AP system is to take all the AP's you DON'T want to have to worry about in college (e.g. kill your gen-ed requirements), because lots of schools want you to take the core courses for a major regardless of your AP score. Not sure how CU works, but that's how it was wherever I've been. Upside of having struggled through AP Chem is that when you do take college chem, you'll totally be on your game. That's how it worked for me with bio. Downside will be that you'll be going nuts this year. If it were me... I'd put it off and hope for a better teacher, but then again, if putting off means taking it in a class of 400 with one professor and 6 harried grad student TA's, I might take it in high school. Really just comes down to when you want to swallow the stress, and it won't make much of a difference to your postgraduate education one way or another.

Answer 2

I think it would be a good idea for you to take AP Chem , if you think you can handle it (despite having a crappy instructor) even if you don't pass the AP exam, the fact that you just recently took a chem class should make the college chemistry a little bit easier on you. As a bit of advice.... don't take a college chem class during the 4 week summer session like I did... Chem all day and homework most of the night....

Answer 3

I was in the same exact situtation that you were in. My teacher didn't help me at all and I got a really bad AP exam grade!!!

I knew it from the beginning though, and I ended up learning a lot more about chemistry vs. my sophmore year of chem so that was actually a little useful. Yeah.. don't take AP Physics with AP Chem unless you are so sure. not a pretty schedule. But you know, AP classes, you don't do anything after exams really. Kinda a nice way to leave high school; much relief and relaxation.

Answer 4

I'd argue that anything you learn in chemistry is goign to help you out tons in your general chem series in college, regardelss of whether or not you pass the AP (which will usually let you skip a class or two).

Make no doubt about it, Chem is the core subject for all life sciences and pre-med, pre-vet, and pre-dental majors. Specifically, as it relates to Organic Chem (which is an MCAT section), but proficiency will get you through an amazing number of bio electives as well.

Just learn the chemistry, the AP test is irrelevant in the long term but taking the class could be useful.

Answer 5

Pretty much all I can say is to do what you want to do.

Four AP classes right now would be a whole lot to put onto you during your senior year, but if you can handle it and want to do it, then I say go for it.

But if you think it may be too much and would like to relax more during your senior year, then don't stress over it too much and don't take the class. You will be able to take the same class in college anyway, and you may just learn more in the actual college class. And yes, if you do not pass the AP test, then it will not count as college credit, so it is pretty much pointless to take it.

You will already have some college credit (I assume) before you start school, so that's great. It's really just your call.

Answer 6

If you can handle the load, take it. You'll be glad in the long run, but not taking it isn't terrible. With other AP classes under your belt you are still getting out of some classes in college. If you can drop another AP class instead, maybe do that. But overall, it's your senior year and you don't want to be completely stressed. Good luck!

Answer 7

Do whatever it takes. College/university chem will still be more difficult than AP (what I've heard from admissions) so I'd suggest diving headfirst now. And I'm in complete agreement with the poster above me of chem being an excellent undergrad. You don't need to be a biology student to go to med school. In fact I've heard that chem and physics majors tend to do better on the MCAT. I'd also like to mention the above poster rocks as well.

Chemistry major who tutors biomeds in organic chemstry.

Answer 8

I would take the AP Chem class only if your school does not offer a dual credit chem class.

Answer 9

you're gonna want the review. if nothing else you don't take the test and just use it as review as a science major your first year is gen chem and bio with other classes thrown in for flavor. if you're thinking of going pre-med you're gonna want to have the best scores possible in college so you have a chance of getting into professional school. i see many pre-meds, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy students (etc) who have no backup plan and when they have problems with chemistry their entire lives are messed up.

the main goal of many undergrad for science majors is go to a good enough school so when you come out with decent grades you can get into a good graduate or professional school. also chemistry majors look better on professional school applications because it is harder. bio majors are a dime a dozen. same for psychology.

Answer 10

You should definatly take AP Chem. Knowledge of chemistry is essential in order to understand almost all other fields of science including biology.