<p>I'm currently going into my senior year of high school and as I am scheduling soon I was wondering if it would be more beneficial to take AP Chem or AP Physics. I plan on majoring in chemical engineering in college so i initially believed chem to be the obvious choice, but i've heard taking physics looks very good when applying to college. Any one have any advice as to what looks good or which is the most beneficial?</p>
<p>My D is a ChemE professional, and son is ChemE student. AP Physics will be helpful, but my son says take both. He thinks intro level Physics at college is easier than intro Chem. Also keep in mind that only AP Physics C (Calc based) counts at their school, and probably most top programs. D says you need physics knowledge to help with a lot of the calculations expected of a ChemE. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I vote AP Chem. While physics is certainly a part of engineering, getting a solid fooundation in chemistry makes more sense for an aspiring chemical engineer. Plus AP Physics blows.</p>
<p>They are equally impressive on your resume.</p>
<p>I’ve seen so many of these questions on here. 
Both look great on your application, so just pick the one you know you’ll like best. You’re bound to do better in a class that you like than one you don’t really care for. You really don’t need to try to IMPRESS college admissions officers; not to sound cheesy, but do what your heart tells you. Colleges want to see people pursuing their passions, not just taking courses to make themselves look better. Pave your own path! 
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<p>Also, in regards to nugradad’s comment, I strongly recommend against taking both AP Chem and AP Physics. I’ve never met anyone who has taken both simultaneously, nor have I met anyone who wished they had; at my high school, AP Physics was generally the course that lowered people’s GPAs, like Pancaked said. It’s extremely time-consuming, and often, well, it plain stinks. But I don’t know how they teach AP Physics at your school, so if your counselor says it’s doable, by all means, go ahead. Best of luck to you :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone</p>
<p>Why can’t you take both?</p>
<p>If your school only has Physics B, take Chem for sure. Physics B won’t count for college credit for an engineering major, so AP Chem will be a lot more beneficial.
If your school has Physics C, either class would be a good choice, and I would recommend you pick based your school - which has a better teacher, which fits in your schedule better, etc since you can’t go wrong with either.</p>
<p>I took both AP Chem. and AP Physics B my junior year and made 5’s. The two classes complement each other well, and if you don’t tend to slack off, then definetely go for both.</p>
<p>Take AP Physics. Most likely you won’t be able to place out of a level of chemistry. If you are allowed to and you go to a rigorous college, I would highly advise against it. A lot of kids at my school got 5s on AP Chem. They started first semester in Orgo and got destroyedddd. Lol, not all of them, but a good number of them. If you take physics, take Physics C and get a 5. Usually physics is just a pre-req for engineering. You don’t want to take physics in college. It sucks (imo).</p>
<p>Eta. If you can take chem and physics, do it.</p>