AP Bio or AP Chem?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi guys

It’s the fourth day of school and I’m stressed. I’m taking a double science (Physics H and AP Bio) and 5 AP classes (APUSH, English I, Calculus BC, AP Spanish, and AP Biology). A lot of the kids in my grade took a double science too (my school is super competitive), except most of them took Physics H and AP Chemistry. I’m afraid that with AP Biology that I won’t stack up to them and my application will not look as good as theirs. Do admissions officers compare you directly to your peers? And if so, do I stand a chance of admission at any of the highly selective schools? Also, a lot of upperclassman told me that they could have taken the AP exam without the class. Bio actually happens to be one of my favorite subjects so I’m feeling very torn. As a Asian female planning to go into medicine, I am not sure whether or not I should have taken AP Chemistry instead. Sorry for the long post, but I was just feeling very confused.

2

It is not going to make a difference if it’s AP Bio or AP Chem. Just do well in the class.

3

Agreed.

For starters, I would put more stock into it if you said “a lot of upperclassman told me that they scored a 5 on the AP exam without the class.” Regardless, college AO’s are unimpressed with AP self studying.

4

Agreed with all of the above! Stay in Bio if you enjoy it! Both are AP science classes, both will be useful to you as a premed, and both will look equally good on your application. Don’t stress over this!

5

And it is okay to only take 1 science class

6

It won’t make any difference. Do well in the class.
Note that with 5 APs you’re overloading - I wouldn’t take that many next year. Stick to 4 (or 3+ MV) and take the time to do a really good job on your applications.

7

Thank you so much for your advice everyone! I feel a lot better now.