AP Chem vs. AP Enviro vs. AP Psych

<p>So basically I have to choose between AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology for my senior year (next year) and I wanted to inquire as to which one you think I should take. I know this is a pretty broad question, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>I plan on applying to some upper-tier colleges and so I was thinking perhaps it would behoove me to take AP Chemistry since it is clearly the most respected class out of the three. Or perhaps I am wrong? Would colleges not even care if I took AP Enviro over AP chemistry?</p>

<p>Any input would be awesome!</p>

<p>Chem is definitely the most rigorous of the three. Taking Ap Environmental and Ap Psych will both show that you’re at least still taking rigorous classes but won’t impress anyone. </p>

<p>At the end of the day, it won’t make too much of a difference. Chem would be the most beneficial to your profile, but if you don’t want to take Chem, don’t take it. I found Environmental Science to be incredibly boring, Chemistry to be somewhat interesting, and Psychology to be very interesting/amusing. Chem was the hardest course of the three.</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch for the input Pancaked! </p>

<p>That sounds like what I was thinking. I really want to take AP Psych because I am interested in the course material, but just the fact that AP Chem may be even just SLIGHTLY more appealing to colleges is making me a bit indecisive. </p>

<p>I have already taken an Honors Chemistry course, so would it be perhaps a bit redundant to take AP Chemistry?</p>

<p>Oh no, it is CERTAINLY not redundant. Honors chem covers just the bare basics- you essentially cover the entire honors chem course in the first 2-3 weeks of AP Chem. In fact, throughout the year, you’ll find that you have to UNLEARN things you learned in Honors Chem-- Honors Chem has a tendency to simplify things so much to the point where you’re almost being lied to, because it’s just too much and too complex to handle in your first chem course.</p>

<p>Are you thinking about majoring in a science area?</p>

<p>Ah, you definitely have a point. My Honors Chemistry teacher really presented us the information in a sort of streamlined way. </p>

<p>And I wish I could answer your question definitively, but I cannot for the life of me decide on a major. Again, I am rather indecisive and I do not want to officially declare what I want to do because I know I will end up changing it later. This summer I am going to do some deep research and experimentation in various areas to find out my destiny, ha ha. Right now I am mainly considering some form of law, business, or medicine. Very broad, I know haha. </p>

<p>I’m assuming it would be helpful to take AP Chem if I plan on doing medicine? Although, I’m not sure how much information one would retain.</p>

<p>Yes, AP Chem is likely to be useful on a medical track. But still, psychology plays some sort of role in all three disciplines you mentioned.</p>

<p>I’d talk to current AP chem and AP psych students and see how good the teacher is, how well perpared they were for the exam, how the workload is, etc. Personally I hated chem going into AP Chem, which I took mainly because it was double blocked and be a nice way to pad my GPA and profile, and I learned to love it. The class ended up basically deciding my major. </p>

<p>But like I said, while AP Psychology is regarded as the one of the easiest courses, it can just be reallly interesting, particularly if you have a good/experienced teacher.</p>

<p>Tough choice though. No way at all you can take both?</p>