Can You Use AP Credits for Medical School Requirements?

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a popular way for high school students to challenge themselves and earn college credit. But when it comes to applying to medical school, a common question arises: Can AP credit be used to fulfill medical school prerequisites? The answer? It depends—and it varies widely from school to school.

At Go Elective, we guide pre-med, pre-health, and high school students as they plan their journey into medicine. Let’s break down what you need to know about AP credit policies and how to navigate them smartly.

Understanding How Medical Schools View AP Credit

Most U.S. medical schools require applicants to complete specific prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and sometimes math or English. These are meant to ensure that applicants have a solid academic foundation for the rigor of medical education.

While AP credits might count toward graduation at your college or university, many medical schools want to see that these core science courses were completed at the college level. Even if AP credit appears on your transcript, some schools may require you to take upper-level courses in the same subject to demonstrate depth of knowledge.

For example:

• Biology: Even with a 5 on the AP Biology exam, many med schools still want to see two semesters of biology with lab experience taken in college.
• Chemistry: AP credit might be accepted for general chemistry, but schools often still require organic chemistry and biochemistry taken in college.
• Physics: Fewer schools accept AP Physics; lab-based physics courses in college are often preferred.
• Math and English: Policies here vary more—some schools accept AP Calculus or AP English credit, others want further coursework at the college level.

Case Studies: How Top Schools Handle AP Credit

Let’s look at examples from a few well-known medical schools: 

Stanford School of Medicine

Stanford allows AP credit if your college grants you credit and it appears on your transcript. However, they still recommend upper-division coursework in the sciences.

University of Michigan Medical School (UMich)

UMich accepts AP credit, but strongly encourages students to take additional science courses to strengthen their foundation.

Yale School of Medicine

Yale doesn’t have rigid course prerequisites. Instead, they look for competency in key subject areas, which means AP credits might count—depending on your undergrad institution’s policy.

Harvard Medical School

Harvard does not accept AP credit for prerequisites. All required courses must be taken at the college level.

Each school is different. Some, like UCSF, require college-level science courses regardless of AP scores. Others, like Johns Hopkins, may allow AP credits—but expect you to take upper-level replacements.

Pro tip: Always check each med school’s official website for the most current AP credit policies.

Strategic Tips for Students With AP Credit

If you’re entering college with AP credit and planning for med school, here’s how to approach it smartly:

1. Take Upper-Level Courses

Use your AP credits to place into higher-level classes in biology, chemistry, or physics. This not only satisfies most schools’ expectations but also strengthens your application.

2. Get Guidance

Talk to your pre-med advisor early. They can help you tailor your course plan to meet the requirements of your target schools.

3. Show Academic Rigor

Even if a med school allows AP credit, showing that you went beyond the minimum—by taking challenging science courses—can work in your favor.

Add Experience to Your Application

Remember, coursework is only part of your story. Hands-on healthcare experience can elevate your med school application.

High school and pre-med students can build an impressive resume by:

• Participating in global health internships through Go Elective’s pre-med programs
• Joining our shadowing programs in Kenya and Tanzania, where students observe real doctors and engage with diverse healthcare systems
• Gaining early insight into ethical patient care and resource-limited settings

Medical School Admissions Consulting

If you’re not sure how to balance your AP credits, course load, and extracurriculars, our team at Go Elective can help. We offer personalized consulting to help you:

• Strategize your pre-med timeline
• Choose the right classes and experiences
• Build a compelling med school application

Let us help you avoid common pitfalls—so you don’t waste time retaking courses unnecessarily or miss key opportunities to stand out.

Final Thoughts

While AP credits may help you skip introductory courses in college, they are not always accepted as substitutes for medical school prerequisites. Many med schools prefer to see science courses completed at the college level—and often at a high level of rigor.

That said, AP credits can still be useful:

• To free up time for advanced coursework
• To explore electives in public health, global health, or medical ethics
• To graduate early and pursue enriching experiences like medical internships abroad

Your journey to med school should reflect both academic readiness and real-world exposure to healthcare. With careful planning, you can leverage your AP credits and build a competitive, well-rounded application.

Explore Go Elective’s healthcare internships here.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 8, 2025