<p>Next year, I will be taking AP US and AP Physics, but I don't know whether I should take ap bio or chemistry next year. In my school, AP bio is much easier than AP chem, but I can list so many pros and cons of each. Also, which class usually has the larger workload? I'm an avid tennis player and do not want to spend most of my time writing labs or studying too much. I've taken gifted chemistry and bio, and have done fairly well in both (97+ average). Which one would be best for me? Also, I want to maintain my high GPA, and I'm afraid that Chemistry will ruin it. But my most important question is which class has the higher workload? I've heard that Bio involves a lot of reading and lab write ups, but chem is more math and formula based.</p>
<p>Ap chem:</p>
<p>I'm better at chemistry/math
Less writing? I guess?
More of my friends are taking it
APUSH is a lot of reading, and chem is more math</p>
<p>Ap bio:
Easier class from what I've heard</p>
<p>Expects loads of work from both classes, and labs to top it off. AP Bio requires a TON of reading and memorizing in order to pass the test. Also, the topics are much more detailed than regular Biology. Take the Krebs cycle for example. In AP Bio, you’ll be learning each detailed and chemically involved step of the Krebs Cycle.</p>
<p>As for chemistry, it’s less memorization and more math, but there’s memorization none the less. If you enjoyed regular chemistry, you most likely will enjoy AP. AP, however, requires a lot more work and the equations, etc. will be more difficult. </p>
<p>I’m not trying to discourage you, I’m just informing you that neither of these classes are a walk in the park. The upside is that the classes are really fun.</p>
<p>Do colleges look deeply into senior grades? Because I know for a fact that I’ll be able to get a higher grade in Ap bio since its considered to be easy in my school. I want to take Ap chem because I think it’s more interesting, but I’m afraid my GPA will drop.</p>
<p>Colleges focus on the grades you received during your freshman, softmore, and junior years. The expect to see an overall increase in grades, or steady good grades. During your senior year, they only pay attention to the classes you take; don’t forget that you’ll be applying to colleges early during your senior year, so they won’t see your grades until later.</p>
<p>I took AP Bio my junior year, and there was so much work. It was easy, subject-wise (I’m really good in science, so that’s a plus), but there was so many labs, reading, essays, and mindless crap to do. I guess it depends on the teacher. The AP Chem teacher at my school is so much better than the AP Bio teacher.
AP Chem, from what I’ve heard from my friends who took it, was harder subject-wise (lots of math), but they had much less to do than us AP Bio students.
All in all, both are hard and both will probably want to make you drop the class, but you’ll probably get a 4 or 5 on the AP exam! I know I did. Not that Northwestern takes 4’s on AP exams… (grumble).</p>