Hi. So I am a sophomore taking AP Environmental Science and really enjoy the class. I want to take Earth Science my junior because I really want to learn more about the topic itself. Despite this, Earth Science is considered an “easier” class, and I don’t want it too look bad on my transcript. Here are my science classes thus far:
9th grade: Biology
10th grade: Chemistry and APES
So what i’m asking is, would it look bad if I go from an AP class to a regular class? Will selective colleges deny me?
Exactly how selective are you talking about? Typically you want the biology, chemistry, and physics lab sciences in order to be a competitive candidate for selective colleges.
Well I would take physics along with earth science
Yes, Physics should be in the plan somewhere. APES is one of the easier AP’s (perfect for a Sophomore first science AP course), so I don’t think a “regular” course would be an issue, though it would be better if it’s an Honors course.
fwiw, I also enjoyed Earth Science and took it along with AP Chem. For a competitive school, it wouldn’t be great as the only science course, but it’s fine as an elective next to a “core” science.
And yes, how “selective” a school does matter.
Thanks! So if I take Earth Science alongside (AP ?) Physics, that would be good?
Earth science alongside AP physics 1 is perfect. Think of adding physical geography or GIS (dual enrollment?) Senior year.
Thank you! So it wouldn’t look bad if I went from Chemistry and AP Environmental Sci. to AP Physics and Earth Science?
No, not at all. 
It would make sense actually.
As long as adding earth science in addition to physics does not displace any other typical academic core courses (English, math, foreign language, history or social studies; a year of art or music at some point is desired by some colleges) that you have not already topped out (i.e. taken all or the highest possible offerings in the subject), it is fine to add it as an academic elective.