AP Chemistry or Physics?

<p>Just to make this clear from the beginning I have no intention of going into the sciences as a career.</p>

<p>So we got a paper today where you fill out the courses you want for next year.</p>

<p>I'm pretty dead set on all my classes except for one, I'm stuck between Physics and AP Chemistry.</p>

<p>The Pros to Physics:It's not as much homework, it will be fairly easy for me, and I might find it slightly more interesting.</p>

<p>The Cons to Physics:It's not weighted, there is no AP Physics at my school so if you were going to say take AP Physics my school does not offer the class.</p>

<p>The Pros to AP Chemistry:It's weighted, I don't think it will be that hard because I'm taking Regular Chemistry this year and have over 100%. My teacher is a fairly easy teacher that isn't very tough, but I'm not sure if she would be like that when she teaches an AP Class. Also on a side note they only offer AP Chemistry every other year, so It's not like I could just take the class Senior year and take Physics next year or something, I could take Physics Senior year. I also don't have room in my schedule to take both.</p>

<p>The Cons to AP Chemistry:I'm not sure if it will count as another year of a science if I have already taken regular Chemistry, will colleges count AP Chemistry as another year of science if I have already taken core Chemistry? I also am already taking 3 other AP's next year and AP Chemistry would be my 4th, (I'm taking AP English Comp, AP US History and AP Calculus)</p>

<p>As far as the work load, I feel I can handle it, I don't exactly do that many EC's, I don't play a sport, so I have plenty of time on my hands to do homework. I don't have any plans to major in a Science anyways, so this is strictly a decision for college apps, I feel like I can probably get an A in either one, but which one would you guys recommend?</p>

<p>I would go with the AP Chem class myself, not only is it a chance at college credit its a chance to build off of something you already have. Even if you’re not going to go into science getting a credit in chemistry is something that a decent amount of majors are gonna require why not get it over with? Yes colleges will count that AP chem as another year of science I myself took Biology my freshman year then took AP Bio my junior year, the curriculum is more advanced than just the basic chem class you took. I myself having taken both, I chemistry more interesting than physics but it never hurts to have an extra advanced class under your belt. Taking an AP in 4 core subjects will look good to colleges. I hear AP Chem can be difficult however so make sure you are ready for the workload. Just my opinion.</p>

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<p>Yes, it counts as a year of science, As for what to take, take AP Chem, if that’s what you want. Check your school’s graduation requirements and check the websites of potential colleges for their recommended science course. As long as they don’t require a year of bio, chem, and physics, you’re OK. Most, but not all, will suggest 2-3 years of lab science, and some will specify to include 1 year of bio and 1 year of either chem or physics.</p>

<p>I know that for Graduation at my school you need Biology and 1 year of a physical science, I will have already met that requirement by the end of this semester.</p>

<p>How much better do you think AP Chemistry would look to colleges compared to core Physics in terms of rigor in schedule?</p>

<p>AP Chemistry is viewed by colleges as higher rigor.</p>

<p>Based on the fact that AP Chem is only offered every other year, I would say to take it this coming year. But I would do all that you can in future years to make sure you take physics. Colleges want to see rigor, but they also want to see well-roundedness. If you take a lot of challenging classes in just chemistry and/or biology, colleges will wonder why you didn’t take physics as well. The three subjects are like a triple-threat (physics, bio, chem). I would highly recommend taking physics eventually.</p>

<p>Well I would only have Senior year. I probably will take physics my senior year, it would be a very easy class for
me and it is something colleges would like to see, so its almost a double win.</p>

<p>I totally missed the every other year part on AP Chem. That make me more emphatically state that you should take it next year and do physics as a senior.</p>