<p>I'm in AP Physics C right now and I am considering switching to AP Environmental Science. The reason for this change is because I am not sure if I'll be able to get an A in AP Physics, and if I get a B, it would be my first B, which would not bode well for my ED school. If I took APES, I'm pretty sure I'd get an A, since it's easy at my school, but the problem arises here: will high-ranking colleges (like top-15 ish) look down on APES, regardless of the grade, since I've taken AP Chem and AP Bio in the past, or should I stick with AP Physics? There's also the issue of balancing making applications as well as doing well in 5 other AP classes, so I'd love some input on what I should do. Thanks!</p>
<p>Also I have to make the decision by tomorrow because its the last day to switch classes. This whole thing has really become a mess</p>
<p>You know yourself better. Having 1 B probably would not change your GPA a whole lot (likely within 0.1), but you may get some award in school and get a higher rank with GPA 4.0. AP Physics credit would be more useful for engineering major. It should not affect your admission chance too much by taking either AP.</p>
<p>@billcsho Thanks. I’m leaning towards taking APES, but my parents think I should work harder for Physics, but I just don’t know if it’s in my capabilities. I think I need to do what I feel is right.</p>
<p>Go with your instinct. just let you know that AP Physics C has over 55% students getting 4 or 5 (more 5 than 4) in the exam while APES has only 32% (only 8% 5).</p>
<p>OP - What’s wrong with getting a B? Are you going to spend your life pretending to be perfect? Will you run away every time there may be chance of failure?</p>
<p>@menefrega Why get a B if I don’t have to?</p>
<p>Because you might LEARN SOMETHING INTERESTING. (Yeah, I’m yelling at you.)</p>
<p>For goodness sake, do you do anything just for the sheer pleasure of thinking or is everything about chasing some stooooopid grade?</p>
<p>/end rant</p>
<p>Stay with physics. APES is significantly easier. So what if you get one B? It really won’t matter. In fact, it may be good. When college see straight As, they sometimes assume the student didn’t challenge themselves. One B proves you challenged yourself. And how would it not bode well with your ED school? They won’t even see the grade until after they’ve admitted you!</p>
<p>@neatoburrito No. Stop. Don’t be pretentious. I put in the work the last 3 years learning a lot and doing well, this is my senior year and I was asking for advice on taking a class to finish off strong so I can maximize my future. Obviously I care about learning if I’ve taken all these classes and done well. Get off your high horse.</p>
<p>@topranked neatoburrito does have a point though. If you get straight As, it generally means you didn’t challenge yourself (I’m not saying you didn’t, there are exceptions).</p>
<p>@guineagirl96 I understand her point, but it’s so overdone. I’ve heard it all before, “why don’t you care about learning instead of grades blah blah blah”. The sad truth of this whole system is that grades are extremely important. There is no denying it. </p>
<p>OP, you’re getting good advice here. If you don’t really want to hear the advice, you might not want to ask for it. 
I know it’s stressful. Nobody here is suggesting that it’s not a valid dilemma. However, there is a majority sentiment here that schools are going to prefer to see you stretching yourself and getting your first B ever, rather than taking an arguably less-challenging path and getting an A–especially if you are planning on applying as a STEM major. There are thousands, and thousands, of students sitting in classrooms at Top 15 schools right now who had a WHOLE lot more than 1 B on their transcripts. I understand how hard you’ve worked to get straight A’s, and the desire you have to keep it that way. But, I agree with everyone else here. Stretch yourself. Do something scary. Schools will find that much more interesting than sensing that you took the safe route. For the record, two of my son’s friends took the AP Phys C class and test in 8th grade and made 5’s. DS took it self-study in 10th grade and made a 4–never even took the class. So, just think about that as you make your decision. :)</p>
<p>@happykidsmom I really appreciate your answer, honestly. I think I’m going to talk to the college guidance counselor tomorrow and see what she says, but I feel like, if I really put in the work that I know I can, I can get the A. But thanks, your answer was kind and I liked that.</p>
<p>@happykidsmom I was referring to an A in AP Physics, btw, it seemed unclear. But yeah, I think I’ll push myself in the harder class.</p>
<p>How am I being pretentious? Your user name is topranked! Obviously your number one goal is to have the best grades regardless of learning because you’re considering taking an easier class just to get an A.</p>
<p>"Obviously I care about learning if I’ve taken all these classes and done well. "</p>
<p>It’s far from obvious that you care about learning. (You may indeed, but a 4.0 in AP classes is hardly strong evidence alone.) What IS obvious is that your GPA is your most prized possession. </p>
<p>Your question screams grade grubber and that’s not how you maximize your future. Find that intrinsic motivation and you’ll not only be more successful in the long run, but happier as well.</p>
<p>To answer your question honestly, if you’re going into a stem related field, take physics and do your best. The hypothetical B will not change your ED outcome. If you’re not doing stem, then take whatever class you would enjoy the most, whether it be APES or a cool English elective… You’ve proven your ability to do well in science.</p>
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<p>It sounds like you can get an A in AP Physics if you work for it, but you aren’t willing to put in the work. That’s a personal decision that you have to make. It doesn’t matter what other people say.</p>
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<p>You make it sound like this is the end, but it really isn’t. This is barely the beginning. You would maximize your future by taking a harder class now, working hard, and doing well in it.</p>
<p>OP, I knew that you were talking about getting an A and not a 5. I was just using the test scores to give you an idea of the difficulty of the material because I didn’t know my son’s friends’ grades and DS dropped the class after the first quarter and just self-studied for the test. I don’t remember any of his friends having a particularly difficult time in the class, though. I remember my son saying that as long as you’re decent at math, the course work is not that hard. I think you can do it. And if you end up with a B, you can always write a note in the Additional Materials section and explain that you approached AP Physics C with some trepidation, but you chose the more difficult route because you thought the Physics material would be more helpful to you than the ES material. No regrets! You’re loving the class. Yada, yada. My son had to do something similar. He had, I think, 26 B’s on his transcript. He got accepted to several Top 15’s. Not an athlete, URM, etc. So, these things do happen. A lot. More than you know. So, 1 B? Incredibly impressive. ;)</p>
<p>If you’re a senior applying ED, you would apply before the semester is over anyway 
Just work on getting an A for the quarter, and after that a B won’t affect your admissions at all. If you have a 4.0 up until now, a single B obviously isn’t going to destroy your GPA. And besides, AP Physics can get you college credit at most schools, whereas APES isn’t rewarded credit at most prestigious schools.</p>
<p>I’m going to side with the OP on the whole “if you get straight As, colleges won’t think you’re challenging yourself,” debate. If you have taken a schedule that your GC certifies as “most rigorous,” then isn’t that evidence enough that you’re challenging yourself? By the logic you guys use, I should intentionally get a B in my most challenging class to prove that I’m being challenged, instead of working really hard for the A.
I know we all love to split hairs here on CC, but really? An AP class is an AP class, I don’t really know that colleges will say, “but this isn’t the hardest AP class.” </p>