Hi I’m a junior and I have to pick by tomorrow between Ap Bio and AP Env Science. I want to study business (finance). I have heard that Ap bio has a lot of work, while AP Env has little to no work. I want to challenge myself senior year, but I don’t want to make it so that my grade goes down in more important classes to me (math and micro). Any suggestions/ input? Is AP ENV sci basically a joke class?
My senior schedule is as follows
1.AP Micro
2.AP Italian
3.AP Calculus (if i make it)
4.AP Stat or AP Comp Sci
5.Honors Literature
Should I add Ap bio or Ap Env? Any pros/cons to either?
Please respond quickly. I only have a little bit of time to decide.
What types of colleges will you be applying to? The most selective schools want to see at least one AP science on the transcript. What sciences have you taken, and have any been AP? If you choose AP Env over AP Bio you’d be sacrificing an AP option in a core class. But your other classes do look strong.
@lr4550 my number 1 college is NYU stern. This year as a junior I have taken 2 AP (psychology and Human geography) and three honors (physics, gov and econ, and italian). I go to a very competitive public high school. Do you know if the workloads in BIO and in Env are comparable? or is bio significantly more?
I know what you mean about sacrificing a core AP, and I guess I should take that into consideration…
AP Environmental Science is easier by a landslide. AP Biology goes in depth like a biology college course. Even the SAT Biology E/M is easier than the AP Biology test, so make your own assumptions.
While AP Psych and AP Human Geo are excellent classes they would not be considered in the same league science wise as AP Bio, AP Chem, or AP physics. You have the honors physics but you really need AP Bio if you want strong course rigor coming out of a competitive high school. Check in with your GC about it for sure but from this short/limited thread I would say go with AP Bio.
@lr4550 yeah I understand they are not considered in the same league, that is why I am really trying to step up my rigor for senior year. Thanks though, and I guess I’ll go with bio
@sternbusiness, It’s a tough schedule for sure but you’ll have some really interesting classes at least. Get a big head start on your essays over the summer if at all possible because senior fall is intense! Best of luck to you on your college journey
PS- is Babson College on your list? Just curious. Great LAC with business emphasis.
AP Bio is a toughie for most people, specially for students who cannot think on their feet under pressure. The key to doing well in this subject is to gather a solid resource packet BEFORE the year begins. Here’s what I would suggest from my experience this year:
Hope that helps. Most students in my class struggled with AP Bio this year because teaching was very scattered and not a single, full-length practice test was given to the students during the year. Also, the Campbell textbook is a monster and has to be read much before the final AP. The night before the main exam, you need summaries.
I am taking precalc next year, as a senior, but can’t offer any advice on it yet. I am no math whiz, but I am willing to work hard.
Post edited by AustenFan7 on 4:19PM
Uninformed people need to stop talking.
The courseload will vary from school to school (in my school I had the same teacher for both courses so it was basically equivalent), although Bio will probably be a higher courseload in most schools.
As for the actual AP exams, bio is a complete joke. The MC is pretty much just reading comprehension and requires only a rudimentary understanding of basic biology principles. For apes, although the concepts might not be difficult, the material is very wide and the exam requires greater knowledge.
That being said, AP Bio would look a lot better on your transcript, but as a business major it probably shouldn’t matter too much how strong your rigor in science courses is. You make your decision from here.
@SternBusiness I’m taking AP Biology right now and let me tell you, you should spend at least 2-3 hours studying in order to pass the class. Doesn’t have to be daily studying, but definitely stay on top of your game. Like the person above me said, the class will vary depending on your teacher. My teacher didn’t teach our class at all and only provided information at the high school biology level, which was not enough to get through the class obviously. So basically all of us enrolled in the class taught the course by ourselves. Tests were given weekly if tests consisted of one chapter and are given every other week if they are based on two chapters. We finished out last test one week before AP testing, so we were pretty short on time with studying. As far as the AP exam this year (I just took the exam today), the MC mostly consisted of questions that required high analyzing and interpretation skills (paragraphs were given explaining experiments as well as different graphs). So, if you are not a fast reader, it may be a bit difficult. The FRQs are pretty specific but as long as you provide them general information on the topic, you will be rewarded points.
I have never taken APES before (planning to take it senior year), but I heard it is a super easy class but requires a lot of work. Tbh, if you want to challenge yourself and enjoy biology, go for AP biology. However, do NOT slack off as some seniors in my class did and didn’t end up too well grade-wise. If you don’t want that much stress, then take APES. Fyi, AP Biology gives you more college credits (8) than APES though.
@AnniiT Yeah I decided to go with Bio. Other than the fact that I will get more AP Credits, I think It will look better on my resume even for business school. Thanks.
