<p>Hey guys! So I'm a rising senior and have taken bio honors freshman year, chem honors junior year, AP chem (5) and AP enviro (5) junior year and, for senior year, I can either do AP Bio or physics honors (not both--schedule conflict).</p>
<p>However, i haven't taken any physics courses yet. Which should i take? I'm mainly concerned because physics honors isn't the highest offered, and I'm not sure it's worth sacrificing the rigor of AP bio. </p>
<p>Also, if it helps any, I'm looking into premed. </p>
<p>Honors Physics. I’m kinda in a similar boat (but it’s a bit complicated because I’m PSEO and I ended up taking Intro Biology at Harvard Summer School), but my brother who just graduated with a degree in Genetics, Cell Development, and Cell Biology and another degree in Physiology strongly suggested that I don’t take AP Bio, or even the Harvard Bio course! He did, and went to University of Minnesota and said that colleges are extremely picky when it comes to biology credits and he pretty much had to retake the class, even though he did well on the AP exam.</p>
<p>I think it’s better to have a more well-rounded academic background before going into college so you can keep your major options open, especially if you haven’t taken any physics in high school. Also, even though you’re already thinking pre-med, the college isn’t going to require that you have the solid foundation of AP Bio as a term of acceptance. Well-rounded is better, in my opinion. </p>
<p>Also, especially if you’re going to go to a more selective college, you’ll probably going to have to retake a similar class. I’m kind of regretting taking an 8 credit, 2 semester Harvard Bio class in 7 weeks because you’re really going to need this stuff later on… (I’m also pre med!). Instead, I might just not have my credits transfer (because I’m probably going to end up with a B and don’t wanna ruin my GPA), and I’ll just sorta know what I’m doing when I take the course again in college. I am planning on taking physics next semester though, so I’ll have that too.</p>
<p>You should take Physics Honors and maybe you can self-study for the AP Bio test if you have time since you’ve already taken Honors Biology.
Goodluck!</p>
<p>Personally, I would take whatever course you want to take more – I don’t think either option will have a major bearing on your chances. If you are still uncomfortable, you can always provide a brief explanation of your dilemma in the “Additional Information” section of the Common App.</p>
<p>As you’ve already taken Honors Bio, you might want to take Honors Physics – otherwise you will be missing one of the trifecta science courses Admissions Directors at all colleges like to see on a high school transcript.</p>
<p>Go with Physics Honors to appear balanced, and many schools don’t accept AP Bio for placement purposes for some reason (as opposed to AP Chem/Physics). Although they did revise the exam, I think you’re better off with a Physics foundation</p>
<p>okay i called harvard undergrad today and about the bio/chem/phy thing, they said it’s really not fixed. they said, however, their main general rule is ‘rigor over everything,’ and she suggested AP bio. thanks for the suggestions but i guess AP bio is my best bet then!</p>
