AP Macro or AP Bio? Urgent!

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Colleges I am considering right now:

  • University of Massachusetts - Amherst (state flagship)
  • Lehigh University
  • Wake Forest University
  • Colgate University
  • Boston College
  • University of Richmond
  • Villanova University
  • University of Alabama
  • Babson College
  • Tulane University
  • SMU

My list might be a extremely ambitious considering my lackluster EC’s and GPA (3.49 unweighted). But I do want to increase my chance of getting into these challenging schools by doing the best I can at this point. I want to major in either something in the business field or biology (for pre med). For science, I have a choice between physics L3, a core class (took physical science L3, biology L3 and chemistry L3 until now), anatomy and physiology L4 (which is a full year elective), and AP biology. If I double up in math (I took only lvl 2 classes for the first two years & I am taking a lvl 3 geometry course meant for sophomores), I can’t take French/or a full year elective. I must mention neither science or math are my strong suits at all, but I do have the grades to get into AP Bio (A- in regular bio, which was fairly challenging) and AP Micro (B- in algebra). I’ve heard that Micro was pretty math based, and I am wondering if I am better off taking AP bio (which I’ve heard is difficult and requires some time commitment, which might be a problem for a procrastinator such as me)

Since I only had one AP in junior year and want to improve my chances of getting into these schools, what is a better choice: taking AP Micro as a full year elective (which means I cant take take other elective that I am actually intreated in) or taking AP Bio (Instead A&P honors or regular L3 physics. I already took regular bio in sophomore year.)

Schedule:

  • Honors English
  • Algebra II L3 (choice of doubling up to take both algebra + stats)
  • Science (choice is between AP Bio/A&P L4/Physics L3)
  • AP psych/No senior history course available
  • A semester of PE (required)
  • AP Macro (half year)
  • French L3 (could just drop this but I am not sure that would look that great on my transcript)
  • I will take photography and marketing as electives if I am not taking AP Micro.
  • EC’s: Social media manager at library, UNICEF club member (and thinking of joining a nearby free clinic to volunteer).
  • Our school is a challenging HS in mass (#22 in state/ 362 out of 17,867 nationally)
2

I think you should do AP Bio, but it’s your choice

3

I also recommend AP Bio considering you are going for premed/bio field.

4

@avanib :
This may have been solved already, but just in case…
You need Physics and French 3 for these colleges. So, take them.
Do take AP micro as a preparation for college but be ready for it to be tough.
Most importantly:
You must build your list from the ground up.
It means finding two colleges you’re sure to get into, considering overall course rigor, GPA, and test scores.
Have you taken the sat or act yet?
(With a 3.5 GPA and lvl2 math, most of the schools you listed are out of reach).
Possibilities (including reaches) : (public) MCLA, UNH, Millersville, Mansfield, SUNY Albany, suny Plattsburgh, UMaine, U Southern Maine, UNCW, UNCC, IUPUI, Ohio University, (private) Eckerd, Albion, Millkin, Washington and Jefferson, Moravian, Valparaiso, LaSalle, Simmons if you’re a girl, Ohio Wesleyan…
Next, you need to talk with your parents: what can they afford to pay from income and savings (without loans)?
Once you have two colleges that you know are affordable and can’t turn you down because you’re among the top 25% of applicants, find about 3-4 colleges that admit about 50% students and where your stats are above average run the NPC on them.
Express interest by filling out the request info form or go visit.