Should I Use AP Credit for College Classes? Thinking Pre-Med -- Maybe Not!

Pre-Med Students MAY WANT TO Think Twice About Using AP Credit in College

As a high school student with medical school aspirations, you've likely been encouraged to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses to demonstrate your academic prowess and prepare for the rigors of college. While high school AP classes are undoubtedly valuable, pre-med students should carefully consider whether to use their AP credits when entering college. Here's why:

The Value of AP Classes in High School

Before we dive into the reasons for potentially forgoing AP credit in college, it's crucial to emphasize that taking AP classes in high school is still highly recommended for pre-med students. These courses:

1. Demonstrate your ability to handle challenging coursework

2. Prepare you for the pace and depth of college-level classes

3. Show admissions committees your commitment to academic excellence

4. Can boost your GPA and class rank

Why You Might Want to Retake Courses in College

Despite the benefits of AP classes in high school, there are several compelling reasons why pre-med students should consider retaking these courses in college:

1. Building a Solid Foundation

Medical school prerequisites are notoriously challenging. By retaking foundational courses like biology, chemistry, math, and physics in a college setting, you ensure a thorough understanding of these crucial subjects. This solid foundation will serve you well in upper-level courses and when preparing for the MCAT.

2. Boosting Your GPA

Medical schools have extremely competitive admissions processes. Retaking courses you've already been exposed to through AP classes can help you achieve higher grades in college, potentially boosting your overall GPA – a critical factor in med school applications.

3. Adapting to College-Level Expectations

While AP courses are designed to mimic college-level work, they don't always capture the full college experience. Retaking these classes allows you to adjust to college-level expectations, pacing, and teaching styles, which can be quite different from high school.

4. Forming Relationships with Professors

Letters of recommendation from college professors carry significant weight in medical school applications. By taking introductory courses, you have more opportunities to interact with professors and potentially secure strong recommendations. In addition, many successful applicants obtain research positions with faculty during their undergraduate years, further enhancing their preparation and candidacy.

5. Preparing for the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) covers material from introductory-level college courses. Retaking these classes in a college setting ensures you're exposed to all the necessary content and helps reinforce your understanding of key concepts.

6. Medical School Prerequisites and GPA Considerations

Many medical schools do not accept courses fulfilled by AP credit as prerequisites or will not count them toward the student's science GPA. This is because AP credits often appear as pass/fail on college transcripts, which do not provide a clear indication of your mastery of the subject matter. By retaking these courses in college, you ensure that you meet medical school requirements and that your grades are factored into your science GPA, a crucial component of your application.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to use AP credits to get a head start in college, pre-med students should carefully weigh the pros and cons. The potential benefits of retaking courses – including a stronger foundation, higher GPA, better preparation for the MCAT, more opportunities to connect with professors, and meeting medical school prerequisites – often outweigh the advantages of skipping ahead.

Remember, the goal isn't just to get through college quickly but to emerge as a well-prepared, competitive applicant for medical school. By strategically approaching your college coursework, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your medical career.

When Do I Apply for Medical School?

To apply for medical school, you should start the application process about 1 to 2 years before your intended start date. The application cycle begins in the spring of the year prior to when you plan to start medical school. For example, if you intend to start medical school in the fall of 2026, you should begin applying in the spring of 2025. Submitting your application early, ideally by early June, is crucial due to rolling admissions, which favor earlier applicants.

Understanding Medical School Traffic Rules

As you go through the medical school application process, it's important to be aware of the "traffic rules" governing how you handle acceptances from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). These rules ensure fairness for all applicants.

For AAMC schools:

February 22, 2024: The Choose Your Medical School Tool opens, allowing you to indicate your current preference, though this is non-binding.

April 15, 2024: Narrow your acceptances down to 3 schools max, withdrawing from any others. You can remain on waitlists.

April 30, 2024: Select one remaining school, indicating either:

1. "Plan to Enroll" if you want to stay on other waitlists

2. "Commit to Enroll" if this is your final choice - withdrawing you from all other schools

Key dates may vary slightly year-to-year, and individual schools can set earlier deadlines, so stay informed.

After initially receiving an acceptance, you can hold multiple acceptances until the April deadlines, continuing to interview and remaining on waitlists. However, you must narrow down promptly and withdraw from schools you won't attend to allow others a fair chance.

The AACOM traffic rules differ slightly, so review both sets of guidance. Managing acceptances properly demonstrates ethics and professionalism essential for future physicians. Follow the traffic rules closely as you finalize your medical school decision.

What is a Good MCAT Score?

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized test used by many medical schools in the United States and Canada as part of their admissions process. The MCAT is scored on a scale from 472 to 528, with a median score of 500.

A competitive MCAT score is one that puts an applicant in a strong position to be considered for admission to medical school. However, what constitutes a competitive score may vary depending on the specific medical school and the applicant pool in a given year.

Generally, a score of 510 or above is considered competitive for many medical schools. However, some highly selective medical schools may expect applicants to have scores in the 515-520 range or higher.

It is important to note that while a high MCAT score is an important factor in the admissions process, it is not the only factor. Medical schools also consider an applicant's undergraduate GPA, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and other factors when making admissions decisions.

Overall, a competitive MCAT score is one that is well above the median and puts an applicant in a strong position to be considered for admission to medical school. However, it is important for applicants to research the specific admissions requirements and expectations of the schools they are interested in applying to in order to determine what score would be considered competitive for that particular school.

How I'll Choose My Next Doctor

She sees the future.

This past week I talked with two young women about their college choices. Both have worked extremely hard in high school and achieved great things. Both have been recognized for their achievements with some amazing college acceptances. And both are committed to becoming doctors.

I believe that both will achieve that dream, and I'm hopeful that they will, because they will be the type of doctors that I want to take care of me in the future! Let me explain...

I work with a lot of students that apply to medical school. Many make it in, while others pivot to another health care field. And the reason that they pivot is that they didn't think ahead. You see, the most critical components of a successful med school application are undergraduate GPA and MCAT scores. Without those, your application simply won't move forward. But that’s just the beginning. Med schools love to see research, excellent recommendations, and relevant clinical experience as well -- after all, medicine is a caring profession (or should be).

So what did these young women do to elicit my desire to have them for my doctors in the future? They saw the bigger picture.

They've chosen to attend not the college that is highest in the rankings or that all of their friends drool over, but the school where they will have the most opportunities. The school where they won't just be in the middle of the pack in Organic Chemistry, but where they will ace it. The school where their professors will throw research opportunities at them and most likely will swoon over them in a recommendation. Where they will most likely get a strong committee letter and the full support of their pre-med advisor. Where they will still be challenged but not overwhelmed.

You see, I want my future doctor to be able to step back and see the bigger picture. To plan ahead and be thoughtful. To not be distracted by the "shiny thing," but know what is most efficient and effective. And to care and be committed. Get ready med schools; I've got two gems coming your way.

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Personality Pays Off

When applying to graduate business schools, students often feel the need to let numbers and accomplishments alone tell their story.  Essays written like professional memos tend to get lackluster results.  Remember, when admission committees are reviewing applications they want to create a class of individuals that will work well with others, have the interpersonal skills to be sought after by employers, and be ambassadors for the school.  Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through the writing and tell an interesting and engaging story.  And yes, make sure you have that killer resume ready to go as well! 

No, You Don’t Have to Major in Bio for Med School

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 47% of students matriculating to US medical schools majored in something other than biology.

(Based on 2016-2017 data)