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What AP courses should I take if I want to be a doctor (eventually an OB/GYN)?

I would like to know which AP courses to take so I can get ahead in my studies. #medicine #medical #doctor

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Doc’s Answer

Maya, Advanced Placement classes can boost your GPA and strengthen your college application. But the number of advanced courses you choose to take should depend on your academic interests and your schedule.

FIVE STEPS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR BEING A OB/GYN

STEP 1: PREP FOR COLLEGE – As a high schools student you can prepare for obstetrics and gynecology by taking science and math courses to prepare for the rigorous pre-med college curriculum. Undergraduate coursework includes courses organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, biology and physics. You should also should enroll in chemistry and biology at you high school to provide you with a sound science foundation. If advanced placement science courses are available your high school you can enroll in other AP courses together ahead in college. Although not all medical schools and colleges have a mathematics requirement, some schools require statistics or calculus, so high school students should take statistics, pre-calculus or calculus.

STEP 2: GET AHEAD – Advanced Placement classes show admissions officers that you're ready for college-level work. Admissions counselors consistently looking for good grades and academic rigor are the most important factors when schools evaluate applications. Even over standardized test scores!

STEP 3: STRENGTHEN YOUR TRANSCRIPT – Many high schools give extra weight to Advanced Placement (AP) class grades when calculating your GPA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course.

STEP 4: CASH IN – Taking an Advanced Placement (AP) class is great prep for the acing the corresponding AP test. Held every May, AP tests are scored on a scale from 1–5. If your college offers AP credit, a score of a 4 or higher could allow you to earn college credits without paying college tuition. Some students are able to skip the entire first year of college this way, thus cutting the entire cost of their college education by one quarter.

STEP 5: INTERNSHIPS – Gaining exposure to the medical field – specifically to obstetrics and gynecology – enables you to determine whether becoming an OB/GYN is right for you. Some universities, offer summer medical classes. You can enroll in one and learn about anatomy and surgery, among other topics. Students will also perform dissections, take blood pressure and learn how to operate an ultrasound machine. Additionally, you can volunteer at your local hospital so that you'll be exposed to what OB/GYNs do and will learn about the patient care.

Hope this was Helpful Maya
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my question, it contained very helpful information. Maya
Thank you comment icon Your Welcome Maya. It was my Pleasure. Hold fast to your dreams and keep reaching for the Stars. Doc Frick
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Maya! So if you're planning to be an OB/GYN then you're planning to take the premed path in college. However, in high school the AP classes you take can help in preparing you for the college premed path. With the AP exam, you can even pass some basic foundational science classes in college that you are required to take before the prerequisites, i.e., basic biology BIO 100. That being said you can really take any science AP class, biology, chemistry or physics, because they will all be required for the premed path and medical school. If you are really interested in one subject more than others like biology for instance then I would recommend to take AP Bio but if you have time then you can take a couple AP classes, get ahead in college by taking the AP exam and receiving the credits and get to dive a little more into medicine as a high school student.

Best of luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for responding to my question! Your response was very helpful! Maya
Thank you comment icon You're welcome!!! Yasemin G.
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Richard’s Answer

Take as many AP or IB courses in high school. You have a lot of years of education in front of you and getting college credit in high school can save you time and money.


If you score well on the liberal arts AP tests, you should claim credit for them so you can take fewer courses each semester and focus on getting good grades.

Use the science and math AP courses differently; if you don't claim credit for the exam you can retake the course in college and focus on really learning the information and use that mastery to make an excellent MCAT score.
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Rachel’s Answer

All AP science and math classes are helpful. AP calculus, bio, chem, and physics will all be beneficial because when you take these classes in college, you won't be seeing the info for the first time.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question! Maya
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Tatiana’s Answer

I agree with Danielle, especially on the AP Science courses including Chemistry and Biology. I took Zoology in my freshman year of college. All the best to you!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Maya
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Abhinav’s Answer

Hi Maya, I would definitely encourage you to begin exposing yourself to the sciences. I am also a current pre-medicine student and classes such as general biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry are the prerequisite courses that are required for medical schools across the nation. Since your are only in high school I suggest you try to take AP chemistry, AP biology and any anatomy courses that are available to you at you high school or at a community college nearby. The introductory courses in college are actually the same material covered in these AP classes so you will be ahead of the game! I hope you found this information helpful.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Yes, your comment was very helpful! Maya
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Courtney’s Answer

Hi Maya -

I think that is a great career goal! I am currently taking pre-reqs so that I can apply to medical school - I wish I had known I wanted to do this back when I was in high school! The fact that you are thinking about this early on will really set you up for success and help you in the long run.

In general, AP classes are great for helping make your college application competitive. Since you would like to become a Physician, I highly recommend taking science based AP courses - chemistry, biology, physics. Really focus on learning the content and maintaining good grades. Taking these classes early on will give you a solid science foundation that will ultimately be very helpful when you begin studying for the MCAT.

I hope this helps. Good luck and keep working hard!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post! Maya
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Danielle’s Answer

Hi Maya! It is great to hear that you are aspiring to be an OB/GYN. Taking AP classes early on can really excel you into college and getting your degree faster. When I was in high school, I took all of my general education courses first as AP courses. These are going to be things like AP English, AP History, AP Science etc. As long as you can get the credit for these courses, you will be able to skip your gen ed courses for most colleges! I hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Hi ! Actually any AP courses will help you in your pursuits! AP courses teach you how to study, learn critical thinking skills, and acquire the discipline needed to pursue a career in medicine. Physicians have a variety of backgrounds - liberal arts, science (of course), and even agricultural economics! Pursue everything with excellence and you will be successful in the future! Anne Ramsey
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Maya
Thank you comment icon Good luck, Maya! Anne Ramsey
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Romina’s Answer

All of them. There are many levels to Human Anatomy and Physiology. Take those to start with. Biology and health sciences, pathophysiology are all important.
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Estelle’s Answer

I agree with RIchard and Rachel. Take the science and math AP classes (especially calculus, biology and chemistry,) The AP tests garner college credits, save money on tuition, prepare you for college classes, and will eventually set a foundation for studying for the MCAT. Good luck!
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Maya
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