AP Chemistry or AP Psychology?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’ve really been on the edge for what to choose, and considering most people around me have absolutely no intention of taking AP Chemistry, this is sort of a last resort. Let me give the details.

I want to become a biomedical engineer and because of that, I thought it would be a great idea to understand the material that I will be taking in college (Ex. I am taking AP Biology right now and chances are is that even if I were to get a 5, I would retake it to understand the content more and for the GPA boost). However, one of the choices that I was faced with was choosing between AP Chemistry and AP Psychology. For some people, this may sound like a no brainer (Medical = Chemistry). However, there are a lot of factors surrounding this.

AP Psychology:

  • Not so much useful to major
  • Extremely fun class
  • 2 out of the 3 teachers have a reputation for being great (the other one will not make me want to take the course)
  • Would be nice to get rid of a required elective in college that builds off of almost nothing
  • The average score is something like a 4.3 (For the two teachers at least; the other one started this year and many people have already complained about her style)
  • Reputation for giving out a lot of homework (I mean like hours)

AP Chemistry:

  • Extremely useful for major (Better to get a B now than do poorly in college)
  • Decent class
  • The teacher who teaches it has a reputation for not being so great
  • The average score is something like a 2 or lower
  • Not too much homework (When it is assigned, it is a lot, but otherwise, almost nothing to do)

I should mention that without these courses my schedule is something like
AP Comparative Government and Politics (The teacher is great, which is a major influencing factor)
AP Physics I
CP Calculus (The AP teacher did not like me in another course that I had her for)
Honors Philosophy/Honors College Writing (English)
Honors Mixed Choir
AP Biology Intern

Any advice?

2

Totally up to you. One of the most important factors would be if you have taken honors chem already in HS. If not I’d consider it a priority to take it this year. Colleges want to see it and you need some sort of background so you do not shred yourself in chem class in college. Which will be necessary to your path.

3

I do think it is a no brainer and that psych is a fun fluff class you could do for giggles but, chem is just a requirement. Your competition will have AP chem. I suspect most of your ilk have no plans to take credit for these science APs anyway, it is about exposure to the material. If you want psych, ditch your TA class and do it as well.

4

I would not take AP physics and AP Chem in the same year especially if the Chem teacher is poor. Did you take honors chem already?

5

I am takin Honors Chemistry and some of the stuff can be interesting, but other stuff falls flat. I have a B+ in Honors Chemistry currently and I got an A- in Honors Algebra II last year. I think I could have an A- or so if I actually cared about the content, but like I said, our teacher doesn’t have the best reputation.

6

Take Psychology then

7

for AP tests, Psychology is easier to score a 5 than Chem.

8

I’d say from experience and friends who’ve taken both AP Chem and Psych that psych is definitely easier (obviously it depends on the teacher but content wise, it’s still easier). Doubling on physics and chem is doable but not recommended unless you have the commitment and resources to do well in both.

Are you a junior or senior? If you’re a junior you have options, but if you’re a senior and had to choose between physics and chem, I’d say take physics. You’re planning to go into biomed engineering so you will undoubtedly have to take both in college.

From what I gather, you’ve had no experience with physics but have had to some level bio and chem. You do not want to be going into college without first being exposed to physics and have your first physics course in college (it will likely not end well). So take physics!

(Also, don’t take AP Bio again–you can solidify you knowledge through other means. If you retake, colleges will question it, and plus you don’t have unlimited credits so take other sciences)

9

You should take Bio, Chem, Physics and then an AP version of one of those.
You are already taking Physics next year.
You have already had AP Bio.
I would not add AP Chem and this is why:

In the fall, you are in college application season. You may be taking the SAT again. You may want to visit some more colleges. You have to write college- specific essays (hopefully you already wrote your common app essay over the summer.). You have to fill out your Common App and get recommendations.
Also you may be in marching band or Sports or be a leader of a club. College Apps is like another timesucking EC on top of that.

Then in the spring, you may have senioritis. You are been accepted to college and are looking toward the finish line. You have to study for the AP tests…it will be difficult to study for too many at once.