<p>I'm currently a high school sophomore about to choose classes for junior year and I'm debating on whether to take AP Bio or AP Chem. Given my schedule, I can only choose one and I'm definitely going to take physics senior year. </p>
<p>I aspire to be a pediatrician, so medical school is a given route, but which would benefit me more? For college, I was planning to major in either biology or biochemistry. I took regular biology last year and currently taking regular chemistry. However, I'm learning more in chemistry, since my biology teacher only taught us how to master the art of BSing for the grade. However, the AP Biology teacher in my school has a reputation to be strict, but amazing and her students do fairly well on the AP exam. I haven't heard much regarding AP Chem except that it's difficult, but what AP course isn't? </p>
<p>Depending on which I take during the school year, I'm planning to take the other as a summer course at a local community college like PCC/ELAC/GCC (known among SoCal residents). Does that seem like a good choice? I'm not planning on anything during summer except searching for some volunteer work or internships.</p>
<p>It doesn’t really matter which one you choose. You need to know both if you’re going to medical school. Choose one that you enjoy the most/the one you’re interested in.</p>
<p>AP Bio and AP Chem are pretty much equally reputable in terms of college admissions, as long as you do well on the AP it doesn’t really matter which one you take. </p>
<p>But if one has a reputation for being particularly hard at your school, like at my school AP Bio is considered the hardest class you could possibly take, then it is better to take the one that is considered “easier”. Obviously it isn’t actually easy, but if you think you could get a an A is one but only a B in the other, then pick the A one. Colleges would rather see you take an AP, get a 5 on the exam and an A is class than a B. They aren’t necessarily going to realize that it came down to a really hard teacher. </p>
<p>Also take your other classes into consideration. My APUSH teacher is amazing, but super strict and a really tough grader. If I was taking another AP this year I’m not sure I could have handled it and still gotten an A. So if you think your workload is going to reasonable enough, your best bet could be to go with the better teacher, strict or not. </p>
<p>Basically if you think you could get the same grade in both pick the one with the better teacher, if not pick the one you could get the best grade in.</p>
<p>I was in the same dilemma last year as a sophomore…in our school AP sciences are double periods…so what did I do? I am currently taking AP Chem and AP Bio this year as a junior concurrently! 
and let me tell you…they are both fun, but together, it’s a blast!. I have 3 hours of science a day with the best teachers in the school in classes with about 14 other ppl in them. The first semester of AP Bio was tricky and took a lot of time to understand, and the workload is significant, but it is fun. Now, we have a lot more free time with our double period and we spend it studying the current chapters, reviewing past chapters, and sneaking ahead to future chapters.</p>
<p>AP Chem is difficult, for me at least, but we have an amazing teacher. Originally it was a little tricky, but the chapter we’re on now makes the previous 10 seem like nothing lol. Depending on who you are, understanding the concepts may come quick or take several nights of reviewing to understand. If you don’t get it, ask. </p>
<p>If you can take both now, that would really bump you ahead, because next year I am going to take AP Physics and honors anatomy and physiology. By the end of senior year, I will have taken 7 science classes and have a significant jump ahead in college. If you can only take one, think about your strengths. If you’re good at memorizing and reading, take AP Bio, if you are great at math and understanding concepts rather quickly, do AP Chem. YOU CANNOT memorize in Chem, you must understand concepts or the class and AP Test will be like a nightmare to you. </p>
<p>If you have any questions, just respond or PM me</p>