Any pros or cons?
Student likes both subjects in theory but wondering if one has any advantage over other.
If he already has other art courses, then either would be considered an academic elective. He should choose based on interest. Of course, if he is otherwise missing any core academic courses (e.g. all three of biology, chemistry, and physics), he should prioritize completing those before adding electives.
If one applies for humanities or liberal science majors then how important is it to have AP Bio or AP Physics? He will have honors bio and Chem and AP Chem done before applications. May take AP Physics and AP Bio in senior year or may not. Would having Environmental Science strengthen his application?
Based upon your other threads, you and the student are targeting top colleges. These colleges for the most part suggest having one year each of bio/chem/physics, and then 1 of those three at the advanced level. So as of now, the student is missing physics. I would counsel him to get physics added in before contemplating AP Bio or AP Environment Science.
No. One AP versus another will not strengthen his application. Having said that, colleges know that some AP’s are easier than others; AP Environmental Science is widely regarded as less rigorous that AP Chem or AP Bio.
I’ll also say, if I recall from earlier threads, the kid already has a bunch of AP’s Many colleges are on record as saying that in the admissions process, it is not a case of the the one with the most AP’s wins.
Once you and he have all the recommended HS preparation settled, if there’s still a question of AP Environmental Science vs. AP Art History, it does not matter for the admissions process. The students should take the class that he finds more interesting and/or has the better teacher and/or has a better track record on the AP exams.