I’m going to be a freshman in high school and I have the opportunity to take AP ES or AP Bio (or honors Bio). I heard that AP Biology at our school tends to be very challenging even for upperclassmen, and the test involves lots of memorization so I’m wary of choosing it this early in my high school career. I also know that AP ES has a reputation for being easy and many people take it expecting to get a free grade so I’m concerned about colleges viewing it poorly. I intend to major in STEM so I’m also worried about taking an interdisciplinary/less sciency class in lieu of a more quantitative course.
You should take bio, chem, and physics before you even think about taking science electives, although, assuming it does not take the place of another core subject or graduation requirements, you can take a science elective concurrently with one of the core sciences.
Unless it is normal for the ultra-high-performing freshmen at your HS to take AP Bio with no previous bio class (and assuming that you are one of that top 1%), then you should take honors bio.
Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it.
Can you take honors bio and, if you feel ready for the challenge, APES?
If not, honors bio is what top colleges expect. (They don’t expect AP’s before junior year, and if you take 1-2 sophomore year they certainly don’t expect you to ski a core class to take an AP.)
As a future STEM major, you need level one in bio, chem, physics* - then add the AP (AP bio, AP chem, or AP physics C). Treat APES as an elective.
Definitely worry about Bio, Chem, Physics, and then an AP version of one of those before you add AP ES.