AP Environmental Science Senior Year–Bad Choice?

<p>I know I've posted this on the AP Discussion Board, but I think that it might be best suited for this one...</p>

<p>"Will top-tier colleges like Yale, Stanford, or Harvard look unfavorably upon the choice to take AP Environmental Science as the only science class in one's senior year?</p>

<p>I've had an all-honors schedule. My three previous sciences were biology, chemistry, and physics (all just honors, not AP). </p>

<p>Does APES really come off as a "blow-off" class? Will it keep me out of the most competitive colleges in the country, even though I don't intend on majoring in science during my undergraduate studies?"</p>

<p>I appreciate any information. Thanks!</p>

<p>I took APES senior year and I fared well. If you already have a rigorous schedule it shouldn't matter, and especially if you already took bio, chem, and physics.</p>

<p>Thanks, man. All of my friends have been telling me that this choice would be detrimental to my chances of getting into Yale. I couldn't imagine taking AP Bio/Chem/Physics because those sciences simply don't interest me; I wanted to try something new for my senior year.</p>

<p>Quick question: did you take APES alone or paired with another AP science class? APES will be the one and only AP science course that I'll be taking.</p>

<p>straight from harvard's site:"four years of science: biology, chemistry, physics, and an advanced course in one of these subjects"
It doesn't seem like APES alone cuts it.</p>

<p>Oh lord. I'm sure you don't HAVE to take Physics/Chemistry/Biology to get into one of those schools. Take what you want as long as you have a hard schedule.</p>

<p>sprtsman14, I only took APES senior year, but I think my situation is different from your's since I go to a school with very limited course offerings. My school doesn't have AP Chem/Phys/Bio at all so I guess that couldn't be counted against me. However, I don't think taking APES your senior year and no other science class would be "detrimental" to your chances.</p>

<p>It would only be detrimental if APES has a reputation for being easy in your school and your counselor notes that in his/her recommendation letter or checks a box other than "most rigorous" for courseload. APES can be a very difficult course if taught correctly, I wouldn't really worry too much about it since it is an AP class and you have already had exposure to the other sciences.</p>

<p>I'm taking APES and yes, at my school it's known as the easiest AP science course. But then again, I am not a math/science person in the least and I am taking five other AP classes that I think I will enjoy and are challenging. </p>

<p>And to whoever said that you NEED to take chem, bio, and physics...I hope you are wrong. AP Chem last year was enough for me. :/</p>

<p>I took APES senior year and am going to Duke.. one thing that is important for you to remember is what matters most to colleges is the 'whole picture' of the applicant.. What other courses are you taking? Are you a competitive applicant to a school such as Yale? How are you spending your time out of school? If you can answer these three questions with Yale-worthy answers.. you are definitely NOT out of the running!</p>