BS/MD programs, and selective colleges in general, like to see students that have challenged themselves academically. Great, but specifically, what classes are important to BS/MD programs?
The answer to that varies depending on the classes available at a particular high school but in general terms BS/MD programs like to see students that have 4 years of each of the 5 core academic subjects. The 5 core subjects?
Math
Science
English
History/Social Studies
A Single Foreign Language
In most cases, the strongest students will have a schedule similar to this. Let’s look at each of these subject areas.
For math, a student applying to a BS/MD program will be at a serious disadvantage if they don’t have calculus and preferably AP Calculus. I have seen very few students admitted to a BS/MD program without a background in calculus. Whether it is AB or BC Calculus, or even a higher math, doesn’t seem to matter much from an admissions standpoint.
In the sciences, BS/MD programs typically like to see a year each of biology, chemistry and physics. Some programs specifically require those classes. While this sounds straightforward this can be difficult to accomplish at many high schools.
Many schools want a basic science course in a subject before a student takes an AP course. In other words, you might need to take a year of general chemistry before taking AP Chemistry. Some high schools only allow students to take one science course per year. In those instances it is almost impossible to take all three sciences particularly at an AP level.
There are several options students often consider. One option is to skip physics and focus on biology and chemistry. This can work since biology and chemistry are more fundamental to BS/MD programs, but it isn’t the ideal situation.
Some students will take a science class at a community college either during the summer or evening during the school year so that they can double up in a science and get to the AP level.
If you aren’t able to take all of the sciences at the AP level, and most can’t fit this into their schedule, what is the priority for AP classes? I typically recommend that chemistry be the first option unless the student struggled in general chemistry in which case I would look at AP Biology.
Students should also try to take the strongest schedule of English classes they can take and taking either AP Language or AP Lit or both, is recommended. Students are often confused by this recommendation but the reality is that the ability to communicate is important in any job, including health care. As a physician you need to be able to communicate with patients, their families, nurses, other health care workers and other physicians.
With the history/social studies section there are fewer preferred courses. However, if you are able to take classes like AP Psychology or AP History, it does communicate that you are strong across the board and not just in the sciences. If you school offers multiple AP History courses like US and European, it really doesn’t matter which you take.
Finally, selective colleges and BS/MD programs like to see students with a strong background in a single foreign language. In part this is because the world is becoming a much smaller place and the ability to communicate with others in their native language can be a good skill to have. If you can handle an AP class in the language, great. If not, don’t worry about it.
The above is an ideal course load but many students, for reasons beyond their control, are not able to achieve such a load. If you can’t because your school doesn’t offer a certain option or because you couldn’t fit something into your schedule, the colleges will generally understand.
But whatever you do, don’t skip AP Calculus.
Hi,
I am in high school and strongly want to go to a bs md program. I am taking an Honors History course and I want to drop it because my gpa will drop from a 3.8 to a 3.7 which is not good enough for bs md. I Will definetly tale an ap history class at a local college and will take the ap exam as well. I have an 83 in the class and it will be put on my report card as a drop. All my extracurriculars, sat, subject tests, volunteering, research, medical programs, and two international volunteering programs are strong. Please advise me on what I should do.
Thanks,
Lauren
Lauren,
While some colleges want a minimum 3.8 the majority of programs will not differentiate much between a 3.8 and a 3.7. If the drop will show up on your transcript colleges will recognize that you stopped the class because you were not doing well and they will consider that anyway. I can’t tell you what you should do but getting a B in one class will not typically make that much difference in admissions.
I wanted to know what the reasoning is behind taking ap chem before ap bio or physics. I chose to take ap bio next year because I did really well in biology honors, but if your reasoning makes sense, I might switch and ask for ap chem (I am also doing really well in chemistry honors).
Yusuf,
You don’t need to take AP Chem before AP Bio or Physics. Rather, my point was that for some programs AP Chem was the most important of the three and if you had to make a choice on which to take, my suggestion would be to make sure you had AP Chem. If you have time to take all three that is great and the order in which you take them doesn’t make any difference.
So if I can only take one, as it will be my senior year, which one would you say I should take, ap bio or ap chem along with physics? Also, do you know what the reason is behind why ap chem is the most important for some?
And also, should I take ap chem and ap bio, ap chem and physics honors, or ap bio and physics honors in my senior year. I have not taken a physics course yet.
Thanks
Hi,
I am a sophmore and am currently deciding on what classes I should take next year. My school only starts to offer AP classes junior year. I have taken all honors classes so far except for Spanish 1 freshman year. I plan on taking AP Physics 1 and AP Statistics next year. And senior year I want to take AP Bio, Chen and AB or BC Calculus. For junior year, I won’t be taking AP English or US History since the course grades are low in those classes? I was wondering if it would be ok to take AP English Language online even though it is offered at school. This way it won’t affect my gpa. Considering I get a 4 or 5 on the AP exam and an A in the online class, how would bs ms programs look at this. Would it be better to take Psychology or another history class instead?
Thanks,
Leah
Leah,
You can take an online class even if your high school offers the class but usually you are better off if there is a reason to do so. I.e. you have a scheduling conflict that prevents you from taking it at the high school. Otherwise, you run the risk that it will be viewed as avoiding a hard class. If you do this, make sure you are taking a full load of competitive classes.
Hi!
I’m a junior I high school and am currently in AP chemistry, and plan on taking AP biology next year. The only AP science course I will not be able to take (due to schedule issues) is AP physics. Will this hurt my chances of getting into BS/MD ?
I know you said that colleges will understand, but I heard that AP physics is crucial. (I have taken Honors Physics and ended with a 97).
Neal,
Not having AP physics should not hurt your chances of admissions. BS/MD programs like to see a year of the 3 core sciences but they understand that most students just don’t have the itme to take AP classes in all three. Of the three sciences, physics is the least important for AP classes at most programs.
Okay thank you!!
I also have another question!
Is it fine if I can only fit 3 years of a single foreign language?
(if I do 4 years of spanish, I won’t be able to fit ap physics)
I’ve also done AP Environmental Science in addition to AP Chemistry and AP Biology. (just not AP Physics).
Thank you!
I found your website really useful! We are deciding courses by tomorrow, and I had an urgent question (I am a rising senior):
Is it better to do AP Physics over Spanish 4? If I do so, I will loose the continuity of a single language; but if I don’t, I loose an important science (I have finished all the other AP sciences)
Thanks!
John,
Have you had any physics class? If so, then I would lean toward Spanish 4 over AP Physics. If you haven’t had a physics, then I would lean toward taking physics. Colleges, including BS/MD programs like to see a year of each of the 3 main sciences but they don’t necessarily need to all be AP classes.
Hi,
I am a sophomore and I am planning for my next year class; I would like to know which option would be best for me for next year. Option one is to double up AP Science again (AP Chem and AP Physic 2) and with an elective of Music Theory 1, but AP Chem is extremely difficult in our school which I know I have to devote a lot of time into this, or Option 2 is to take AP Chem, AP Statistic and with an elective of AP Psychology. I am currently taking AP Bio and AP Physic 1. Please let me know if it will hurt my chances of getting into the program for not continuing in AP Physic 2 if I pick Option 2.
Thank you and hope to hear from you soon.
Fran,
I can’t really give a complete option since every person’s situation is different but generally doing your second option would be fine. You don’t need to take AP Physics to double up on sciences. I work with some high schools where students are not allowed to double up on sciences and they still do just fine in the BS/MD admissions process.
I am interested in applying for BS/MD program. I am a freshman and have taken biology. I will be taking chemistry next year and AP chem in junior year and AP bio in senior year. My high school lets us take 2 science courses. Our school has the project lead the way program and has the bio medical pathway courses . (which is a 4 year course). Do you think the pathway course would carry more weight compared to taking Hons Physics and AP physics ? Which would be the second science course you would recommend ? (physics or biomedical pathway courses).
Vivek,
I can’t say for sure what the best option since I am not working with you directly. In general terms as long as you have a year each of biology, chemistry and physics, with at least some of them AP classes, you should be fine for the BS/MD programs. Most of the programs don’t care about the high schools that have medical pathway courses. It reinforces your interest in medicine by taking these courses but there are lots of ways to do that without taking such courses.
Hi, I’m currently a junior looking toward bs md or bs do programs. My school has extremely rigorous science classes- my AP bio teacher revolves his class to match exactly that of a introduction to biology class in college- even professors at Brown University uses his notes to teach their classes- if I were to get a 88 in the class but get a 5 on the AP and an 800 on the SAT2 would it make up for the low grade? thank you! and also, i was wondering how and when to explain lower grades on your application without emphasizing them
Ashley,
I wouldn’t say that a high AP and/or SAT2 subject test score would make up for a lower grade but it will help put the grade in context. Colleges do generally understand that the rigor of classes can differ from high school to high school. If your guidance counselor writes about the difficulty of grading in this class when they write their letter of recommendation that will also help. Having the guidance counselor write about this is also typically the best way to address lower grades rather than having the student address them since it can sound like an excuse if the student gives the explanation.
This year, I took AP Biology but have not taken AP chemistry, physics, or calculus. I am planning to take AP Chemistry and AP Calculus next year, but don’t know if I should take AP Physics. The reason is that I will be taking a very rigorous Advanced Anatomy course that many people consider to be equivalent to the difficulty of the first year of medical school (subjective opinion, of course). Only 30 people a year get in, so I will not be taking it out of my schedule, as I was one of those 30 this year. I see that many BS/MD programs require/highly recommend taking AP Physics, and I have an available slot to take it, but I don’t know if I will be able to handle all those classes. I know you may not be able to give me a definite yes or no answer, but what is your opinion on taking physics in my scenario? Thank you so much!
Hi, I’m a currently a sophomore who is interested in applying for BS/MD programs and I would like some advice on what classes to take junior year. My plan for junior year so far is AP Eng Lang, AP US History, AP Chem, AP Bio, AP BC Calc, AP Art Studio, and ________. I’m debating on what to fill that last class spot with AP Spanish Lang or a first semester of student aide (so I have time to manage my course load, as BC Calc and AP chem are notoriously hard classes at my school, and time to dedicate to officer responsibilities in the extracurriculars I am in) and a second semester of AP Pyschology. I plan on taking AP Physics senior year so I don’t need to triple on science junior year. I am currently in Spanish 4 so I would already have 4 foreign language credits by junior year w/o AP Spanish, so I don’t know if it’s worth taking the AP class.
Brian,
BS/MD programs want to see a year of bio, chem, physics but it doesn’t need to be AP. Most of my students that get admitted do not have AP physics. Regular is just fine.
Maven,
As long as you have 4 years of Spanish AP Spanish is optional. I would take whatever load you would best like and that you think fits your schedule the best.
Hi! My son is a senior this year. He has a cumulative GPA of 3.91 thus far and has earned a 2400 in the old SAT, and 800 in SAT-Math II and 800 in SAT-Molecular Biology. He has earned 5s in AP Bio, AP Calculus AB, AP English Lang & Composition, AP US History & AP world History in his junior year.
He has not taken any course in physics- not even a regular one because he had taken Bio honors, Chem honors, AP Bio, and AP Chem (the last as a senior). NWU, Feinberg requires one year of physics. Does this mean he would be not qualify for BS MD colleges, or should he apply despite this?
Deepali,
Physics is a requirement and my best guess is that they would not consider him without that class.
Hi,
My daughter is a Junior in high school leaning towards BA/MD program.
She is not sure if she should go with AP Statistics or AP- BC Calculus.She has done Honors Physics, currently in AP Bio and is planning on AP Chemistry in Senior year.
Thanks in advance.
Jen,
If she has done AP Calc AB then it doesn’t matter which math course she takes. I would suggest whichever she thinks would be the most interesting. If she hasn’t taken AB then she needs to take BC.
Hi Todd,
My daughter is interested in BS.MD program. She will be completing AP CALC AB, AP STAT and AP Bio int he junior year. She plans to do AP CHEM and Physics in the senior year. Does she need to take AP CALC BC or can she stop at this level of math and do some other courses like FORENSIC etc.
Thanks
Narsing,
As long as your daughter has taken AB Calculus she doesn’t need to take more math in senior year for most programs.
Hi there!
My daughter will be starting her junior year and wants to know if it is more important to take AP bio or AP Chem. Her school only allows one science per year. She has taken Bio in freshman year and Honors Chem in sophomore year. She was planning to do AP physics in senior year.
Hi Todd,
How many AP classes are required to take in 11th grade? My son is in sophomore year. In my son’s school, they allow to take 6 AP classes or 5 AP classes and Pre Calculus Honors which is also weighted.My son has signed up for 4 AP classes (AP US history, AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Spanish), regular English and Honors Pre Calculus (weighted) in junior year. I am afraid if he can’t handle 4 AP class and Pre Calculus Honors, his unweighted GPA might go down. At the same time, if he does not take enough AP class, his top percentage in the school might affect. So should he take 4 AP classes with weighted Pre Calculus or 3 AP classes with weighted Pre Calculus.
Thanks
Hi Todd,
For most of the BS/MD programs, do they need chemistry subject test. My son willing be taking AP bio in junior year and AP chem in senior year. So he can only take Biology subject test in junior year. Is there a preference for AP chem over AP bio or chem subject test over bio subject test?
To get ‘A’ in AP chem is very hard in his school. That’s why he is taking AP bio.
Thank you very much.
Sheila,
The answer depends somewhat on what classes the student has already taken but generally, for BS/MD programs, most would have a preference for AP Chem over AP Bio. Most would have a preference for both over AP physics.
Sathya,
There is not a magic number of AP classes to take although colleges are looking for students that challenge themselves. Our typical BS/MD students has between 6 and 12 AP classes by the time they graduate. I can’t answer for your son specifically but generally take as many AP classes as you can take and still do well academically and still have time for involvement in other activities.
Priya,
The only BS/MD programs that require the Chemistry subject test are Boston University and Northwestern. The other BS/MD programs that require science subject tests simple say they want a science subject test which typically would be either chemistry or biology.
Hi, Todd. If my daughter decides to take organic chem instead of AP chem senior year, will that be looked on unfavorably by bs/md programs. She’s currently taking AP bio and took Honors chem plus bio electives last year. Has taken regular physics. Also, if AP Calc BC is available, is it a negative if she chooses AB? Thanks for your insight!
Anna,
Most BS/MD programs would not like to see organic chemistry instead of AP Chem. All students will need to take organic in college as one of the courses required to apply to medical school. Taking it early might be alright if the student has already taken AP Chem but not instead of.
AB vs BC calc doesn’t seem to make a difference in admissions to BS/MD programs.
Hi Todd, would you recommend my some to take Spanish 3 in 9 grade because he finished 1 and 2 in middle school or are two just enough. He find it a very difficult class and is shaving second thoughts. Will it help his bs md program application
Lakshmi,
Colleges, including BS/MD programs, ideally like to see 4 years of each of the core subjects including 4 years of a single foreign language. If a student struggles with a foreign language, 3 might be enough but less than that is likely to have an adverse impact on admissions to highly selective colleges. He should try to at least take Spanish 3.
Hi Todd,
My daughter (sophomore)has taken Spanish since middle school. In high school she started with Hons Spanish 3 and this year Hons Spanish 4 although she was recommended for the AP track. It’s not one of her strong classes. Her school requires 3 years of foreign language. If she takes Hons Spanish 5 in junior year, can she be done with Spanish or do you recommend she take AP Spanish anyway – either next year or in senior year. She took AP Chem and AP stats this year, AP Bio, AP Eng, AP Euro, AP CS next year, AP eng, AP us history, AP cal B C, AP Physics E & M senior year and Organic Chem as elective.
Do you feel this is a competitive course load ?
Thank you for your time and advice.
Sue,
This is a competitive course load. If she has 4 years of a single foreign language she does not need AP Spanish.
Hi Todd,
My daughter is currently in Grade 9 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. All of her grades are either As or A-s except for Pre-calculus where it is likely to be B or B+. I have few questions:
1. Is it better for her to slow down Math and take AP Calc AB in Grade 10 to increase the potential for a better grade? Or, is it more important for BS/MD programs for her to jump directly to AP Calc BC but risk a lower grade? In both cases, she will ultimately do AP Calc BC and Multivariable Calculus as she intends to take Math all four years of High school.
2. She will be done with AP Bio and AP Chem by either Grade 10 or 11. She will have a choice of regular Physics or AP Physics in Grade 11. AP Physics at TJHSST is very, very tough. Will not taking AP Physics adversely impact her chance of getting into BS/MD?
3. TJHSST offers summer Chem class where students finish Chem in 5 weeks. From a BS/MD perspective, does it matter if the students take Chem over summer or over a regular school year?
Thanks
BS/MD programs want to see AP Calculus completed by senior year. Doing it much earlier is fine but there is no need to do so. Either AB or BC from an admissions standpoint is sufficient. Slowing down and getting a better grade is better than a faster approach.
She does not need AP physics for a BS/MD program. Most of my students do not have AP physics and do just fine in the admissions process. Regular physics would be fine.
Either chemistry option can work, but, because chemistry is so important, I think most BS/MD programs would prefer that it be completed over a year rather than 5 weeks in the summer. At the very least I think there is a perception that taking it all school year will give a better background than trying to cram it all into 5 weeks.
Hi, My name is Sarah
I am currently taking ap biology in my senior year of high school and have a 70 in the class. I want to drop the class because my GPA may be severely impacted. I have a 4.27 for a weighted GPA and although that’s good most of my other classes arent looking so good this year. Should I drop the class and focus on my GPA, or stay in the class in hopes of it improving?
Hi Mr. Johnson,
Right now I am only taking an AP Physics course as the only science course, although I did advanced biology and chemistry freshmen/sophomore year (all As in them), and unfortunately I’m getting a B this semester for physics.
1) If I take the following steps, will I be able to still stand in competition for the BS/MD programs?
– get A in physics
– take math2/chem/bio subject tests, get high scores (770+) (at least by taking esp. chem subject test and doing well, I demonstrate interest and strength in that area).
– take ap chem & ap bio next year (senior year), get As.
2) Would BS/MD programs even look at success of senior year?
3) Ive also taken AP Computer Science (A), WHAP (A-), and all advanced courses with As except for Algebra2 (B/B+ both sem), PreCal (B+ 1 sem), and English2 (B+). 1sem). I will work extremely hard next semester for straight As as well as senior year. Do BS/MD programs consider improvement in courses as a factor in the application process?
*Btw since Im not taking bio/chem during the year I will self study for those exams
Is AP Chem required for BS/MD or is it okay if I do AP Bio junior year and IB Bio senior year?
Sarah,
There is no one correct answer for issues like this but generally if one class is dragging you down and you don’t think you can recover, it is better to drop it and try to keep the GPA up. If you are struggling in more than 1 class then you might want to talk to your counselor to see if there is something else going on.
Winston,
BS/MD programs do look at improvement in grades in general terms. That being said, you will be competing with students that have strong grades throughout high school. A few B’s are fine but the more you have the more difficult BS/MD admissions becomes. Colleges do look at senior grades to some extent but because of the BS/MD programs early applications, senior grades are not a big issue in many cases. That being said, if they see that grades drop senior year they can and do revoke admissions acceptances.
Roya,
Most BS/MD programs like to see at least one year of chem, a year of bio and a year of physics. AP Chem isn’t necessarily required but some chemistry should have been taken.
Hi, I had a question because I was planning on applying to the program and I know it suggests four years of Spanish, but I’m a little unsure of what that means. I am on the accelerated track for Spanish and skipped Spanish 1 and did 2-3 accelerated in freshman year and 3-4 accelerated now. Would that count as four years because the next level is AP Spanish 5, which would add another AP to my other 4? Be very grateful if you could reply.
Welp. I didn’t do AP Calc… I did AP Stats instead and did really good! As both terms! I have only got one B my entire high school career in the last half of my sophmore math. I have 10 strong health care activties and 10 strong activties in school with leadership poitions. I have won 2 science awards and have very strong letters of rec + my essay was pretty interesting. I have done all AP englishes and AP french and AP world hisroy and psych + a few others. This year (senior year) I’m doing AP BIO after taking Bio chem and physics and getting all As.
Do u think me not taking calc will kill my chances?? I could possibly sign up through APEX ??
Hi Mr. Johnson,
I am a current sophomore debating on what classes to take next year. Right now my biggest debate is AB vs BC calculus. BC is very hard at my school and I don’t think I would get better than a B+ whereas I definitely think I can get an A or A- in AB. If I take AB I would also take AP lit and APUSH but if I took BC I would take a regular English and social studies option. Which do you think is better? Also, do you think I should take honors chem or skip to AP chem(which has been done a few times before at my school) but risk not doing as well?
Hi,
I have a B+ in one semester of Ap Calc AB is that fine?
Hi!
I’m currently in an IB program as a junior- I have taken Algebra II and the IB equivalents of pre-calculus. I’m in the IB equivalent of calculus now. Next year, I am given the option to take AP Statistics, AB Calculus, or BC Calculus. I’m leaning towards taking AP Statistics, as my counselor and teacher have said the applications of statistics are more prevalent in medicine. They have said that taking AB next year would essentially be a repeat of the math I am taking this year. Would taking AP Statistics hinder my chances of getting into a BS/MD program?
Hello! My school offers both community college biology which is a semester of biology over a year and AP biology. Most kids at my school struggle a lot with AP biology. I am also talking APcalc ab, AP U.S history, honors English 10 , and possibly AP computer science principles or AP psychology with anatomy and physiology. Should I take the risk with my gpa or should I stick to community college biology(easier than AP bio) . Thanks!
I am also planning on starting a HOSA chapter at my school. Would that be enough to stand out?
As long as you have calculus, including IB calculus, you are fine takingi AP Stats for a math course. Colleges will understand if you don’t take AP calculus if you have had IB.
Generally I would suggest going with an AP course over a college course simply because the colleges understand the rigor of the AP course. College courses can differ in rigor depending on the college. But, if there are problems with taking AP Bio in your school, you might be better off taking the community college course. From an admissions standpoint you should be fine either way.
Startng a HOSA chapter is fine but it won’t really make you stand out from most other candidates.
The fewer the B’s the better but one B+ in calc is not fatal to your chances at a BS/MD program.
I haven’t noticed any real difference in admissions between students taking AB vs BC Calculus. If you think you will get a better grade in AB, then that should be fine. Don’t skip a class like honors chem unless you really have some background that ensures you can handle the AP class. It varies by student, but for most students I would say take the intro course first and then the AP course.
Almost everyone applying to these programs will have some type of calculus so not having it will most likely hurt your chances. Personally, I have never seen a student get accepted into a BS/MD program with out calculus.
Colleges are looking for the equivalent of 4 years of a single foreign language. Taking accelerated courses like you describe should meet that requirement.
Hi!
I am a current junior at a competitive high school. So far I have gotten 2 B’s (B+ and B) in Honors Chemistry is freshman year and a B in my last semester of AP Calculus AB (junior year) due to some grading issue my teacher won’t change. In all other courses, I have gotten all high As. I have made up for Honors Chemistry by taking General College Chemistry and getting an A-. I plan to take AP Calculus BC over the summer. Do you think this will be good for my grades? Do 3 Bs hurt my chance at BSMD admissions? My GPA is 3.90 and 4.38 (W) right now. Is it good?
What do you think about the cancelation of SAT subject tests? Also how much higher will the weight on SAT/ACT and GPA will be in the admissions process?
It depends on various factors but generally a few B’s won’t take a BS/MD application. But, the fewer the better. I prefer to see unweighted GPA at 3.9 or above so you are just there.
As for the subject tests, it is hard to say at this time the impact that will have on BS/MD admissions. Fewer than 1/2 the programs required them so my best guess is that the programs that did require them will just rely more on grades and ACT/SAT scores.
Hi Todd,
I am a current sophomore planning my courses for junior year. I’m planning to take AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP Environmental Science, English 3, Photography, and US History. I’m interested in applying to a BS/MD program. I’m wondering if I should take AP US History instead of regular. Would this specific class be advantageous for admissions? Will 3 AP classes be enough when officers consider the rigor of my schedule for junior year (or do officers look at AP classes taken overall instead of by year)? I’m on track to take ~8 AP classes by the time I graduate. Thank you!
Anna,
Thanks for the note. Colleges look for a student that has taken a challenging curriculum but that can mean different things for different students. In general terms, my students applying to BS/MD programs have between 8 and 12 AP’s by the time they graduate. College do look at when the AP’s where taken but there is no specific number required by year. APUSH is fine but not better than any other AP. If you can take it and do well, ie A, and still have a life, then take it. If not, take regular history.
Is it okay if I take the dual enrollment Calculus instead of AP Calc AB. I was planning on taking it senior year and taking the AP exam
Hi Todd Pls help!
I’m in a pickle.
I’m a 10th grader deciding for classes my junior yr. I took Honor bio in 9th and am in honors chem now in 10th (As in both classes, and every other classes which r all honors and APUSH this yr). For next yr my junior yr, I’m planning to take AP chemistry or AP bio, and the other one in my senior yr. I’m also going to take Honors physics next yr, as well as AP statistics and Honors precalc (this means doubling up in math AND science). I’m planning for BSMd and smmm unsure if they prefer, and if I should take, Ap chemistry or Ap bio next year in my junior year.
In my senior year, I will take the other course, along with AP physics (1,2, or C), AP calc AB Or BC, AP psych, Honors human anatomy, and Honors english or maybe AP English.
My schools AP chem class and teacher r vv hard and not the best (students say class avg around B-/C+ for kids who normally get all As). The thing is I optimize my chances to do good in Ap chem if I take it in 11th and Ap bio in 12 bc it would be a continuation of honors chem.
But again, idk if AP bio looks better or preferable for BSMD programs.
Do you have advice on which to take first?
Secondly, I wanted to ask, is it okay to drop Spanish 3 for AP statistics? I want to take hardest math and science and my schedule has no room for Spanish.
Pls help with both questions!!
Ali,
General comments because it is difficult to say specifically without knowing more about you. In general terms while both chemistry and biology are important, chemistry is more important than biology to med schools. IF you think you can do better by having chemistry consistently for 2 years, then do that.
As for Spanish, selective colleges, including BS/MD programs like to see 4 years of the 5 core subjects including a single foreign language. While not a requirement, the majority of students you will be competing against will have 4 years of a foreign language. I think it would be a mistake to drop Spanish after 2 years.
Dina,
Dual enrollment can be used in place of AP Calc. That being said, many colleges prefer an AP class because they understand the rigor involved. With dual placement classes, the rigor can differ depending on the college involved.
Ok thanks! By the way I’m taking Spanish 3 right now so would have 3 years of Spanish if that makes it any better.
But so you recommend taking AP chem after taking honors? I’m an academically inclined student, all As in high school so far, and would hate to get a B but ik I will put effort and time to get a good grade—I just worry that from rumors about the class and at my school I may struggle to get that A and even do great on the AP exams. But either way I will take the class, I just don’t know junior year or senior. Senior year I thought I could get away with not doing insane in AP chem because I would only submit my grades in the class for the very first marking period or so, and wouldn’t need the AP test—unless the school asks but if I’m admitted somewhere they more than likely will not repeal their decision
Hi im debating whether to take AP Calculus BC, or AB and if either one of them would increase my chances in admission.
Satwik,
In my experience BS/MD programs don’t seem to care a lot on whether you take AB vs BC. However, not having some type of calculus is a huge negative.
Todd
Hi if I take Calculus Honors will i have a chance at admission.
It will most likely catch the eye of the admissions officers and may raise some concerns but I wouldn’t say it totally eliminates your chances of admissions.
Hi Todd,
I am a sophomore student. I am looking for 7 years direct MD program. Is it ok if I take AP Chem, Phy Honours, AP lang, Pre Calc, in 11th and AP bio in 12th? I won’t qualify for calculus in 12th.
Joji,
Calculus is one of the courses that the vast majority of BS/MD programs expect from a student applying to one of these programs. If there is anyway you could take calculus as a senior, something like online courses, it would be very helpful.
Courses alone are important but there are many other factors to getting admitted to a BS/MD program such as test scores, health care volunteering, research and doctor shadowing.
Hi Todd,
My son is taking IB and his school allows only 1 science in junior and senior. He is planning to take IB biology. In 9th grade he took biology and in 10th he is planning to take chemistry and biology. You think he will be eligible for bsmd?
Hi Todd,
I am a Freshman student currently looking into going through the BS/MD pathway at Howard specifically, or any other really. I just have 2 questions in mind…
1. Is it fine if I only have 2 years of language (Spanish 1, 2) or should I aim at taking a 3rd during my Sophomore year?
2. I plan on taking AP World History, AP US History, AP Stat, AP Chem, and AP Lang all in Junior year. Is this dual-history class setup a little bit too “over the top” and tough or should this be fine for sticking out to BS/MD programs?
Kalpana,
Many BS/MD programs require a year each of biology, chemistry and physics. You don’t mention physics in your comment. If your son takes a year of physics before graduating, he should be fine. Otherwise, he might want to take a physics course at a local college before graduating.
Azim,
While there is no set course schedule for BS/MD programs, the majority of the students you will be competing against will have 4 years of each of the 5 core subjects, including English, math, science, history/social and a single foreign language. 2 years of a foreign language is not enough for most competitive colleges and BS/MD programs and I would suggest at least 3 years.
Taking 2 history classes junior year is fine as long as you can still get good grades in all of your subjects. I wouldn’t necessarily say it will make you stick out from other BS/MD candidates.