AP Bio, AP Chem, or AP Physics?

The AP bio, chem, and physics classes are more difficult than traditional or honors classes, so most people take for example regualr or honors biology one year and then AP bio the next year. That's why your friends are taking AP chem. You should be aware that AP Bio is significantly easier than AP chem or AP physics and that all three are looked at as equally difficult by colleges. Also there is a lot of advanced math involved with the last two so if you are not sure whether or not you're up for the challenge you should take AP Bio first as a test run and maybe regualr or honors physics at the same time if possible. That way you can take either or both AP chem and physics your senior year when colleges do see the course you take but have to make a decision on whether to accept you or not before your final grades come out. Most of my friends went that route. I took honors earth space, honors bio, honors chem, and then AP Bio my senior year because I am awful at science.

Your junior year is your most important, but this does not mean colleges don't look at the classes you take your senior year. They do. I took AP Bio my senior year, and colleges were perfectly aware that I was taking it. Depending on when you apply (early decision or regular), colleges may or may not receive your senior first-semester grades, but they will know which classes you're taking. I would definitely take AP Bio, but I'm biased because I took it. :) I never took physics, and I only took regular chemistry (although it was honors chem), and I got into every college I applied to. Then again, my major isn't in the life sciences (it's in the social sciences), so taking the others really wasn't important. As the person above me said, AP Bio is easier than AP Chem/Physics, based on what my friends in high school told me.

I would advise you to NOT take AP Chem if you also plan on taking the AP Chem test. Even after studying from school textbooks and AP study aids by Princeton Review, the AP Chem test was still a killer. I received a 4 on my AP test, but I honestly don't think it was worth that much time, especially during a busy year. If your junior year schedule is hectic, do not attempt to take AP Chem. I would recommend AP Bio for your junior year and AP Physics for your senior year.

your senior classes will be counted for colleges. it wont be on the admissions transcript you send but you will provide the college with a list of your current classes and then they will give you credit based on the weight of the class.

personally if i were you i would take AP Chem. i am currently in AP Bio and i hate the class. i havent learned much. (of course your school could have a better AP Bio teacher than mine) but take whatever you are interested in taking. that way you wont get distracted and not do well because you dont like the class.

good luck :)

Hey, I'm a sophomore too, and i too took biology my freshman year and i'm taking chemistry now. I suggest that you take AP Chem next year and AP Bio your senior year, like me. Honestly, physics and AP Physics are entirely unnecessary. Ultimately, when you choose the college that you want to attend after being accepted you will have to send them updates of your transcript with your senior grades because they have the right to revoke your acceptance. With that, don't fall for senioritis!

You can take all classes during your junior and senior year. Who ever told you colleges doesn't look at senior classes, they are wrong. Colleges really see what you are doing during the toughest year, junior year, and they still want to see if you are preparing for college during your senior. In other words, if you take all three classes during your junior and senior year, it doesn't matter the order you complete them on. UCs will see you attempted the AP classes.

Good luck.

-Lance

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