<p>I want to major in either business or communications. I'm going to be a senior next year and because it is my last year, I want to go with the class that I'm more interested in and could gain the most from (that being psychology). However, I've taken three years of science already and I know that for UCs, two years of a lab science are required but three are recommended. I've taken biology, marine biology, and physics so far. I know for sure that biology and physics are considered lab sciences but I'm scared that marine bio isn't. Should I take an science my senior year, I want to be an AP thereby leaving Physics B and Environmental as my only two options. Considering that I really don't care for either, should I just take AP Psychology instead? </p>
<p>The two AP sciences are considered harder and if UCs are looking for three years of lab science, would going with AP science be a wiser and more appealing choice? I've had a few minor slip ups in terms of my grades during the past three years and I'm looking to play my cards wisely and be competitive in other areas yet the fact of the matter is that I don't care for a science.</p>
<p>*Note: The biggest reason why I ask is because for my school's program that I'm in, we have to take four years of science. I need to provide a strong argument as to why psychology would be a better choice for me in order to get out of a science yet there's part of me that's scared because of the potential setbacks.</p>
<p>Colleges are likely to prefer the three way combo of biology, chemistry, and physics for your high school science courses, although UC and CSU accept any two of the three (to see what courses count, see <a href=“http://doorways.ucop.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://doorways.ucop.edu</a> and look up your high school).</p>
<p>Look at the major requirements for graduation in business. For my son, psychology specifically is a requirement. There is a natural science requirement, but you can satisfy it with a lot of interesting classes instead of the harder ones.</p>
<p>As far as my top schools are concerned, there are no AP sciences that satisfy placement out of an class or fulfill any specific requirement. Neither does AP psychology. Basically, it can earn you units should you pass the AP exam (which I intend to do) and that would basically just help me earn a higher standing once admitted into those schools. Rather than entering as a freshman, I’d go in as a sophomore. I’m aware that no matter how many credits I have, I have to still complete whats required but having some sort of priority when it comes to picking classes is a major plus, hence why I want to go the AP route. </p>
<p>Thanks for the link @ucbalumnus. My school has listed that marine bio is a lab science. I get what you’re saying about the combo of the three however because of the number of students at my school, very few people are able to take all three. Most take two and spend the other years in classes that are more specialized the one of the three.</p>
<p>you also need to look at each campus’ offerings. Only Cal and Riverside have full blown biz programs, altho Irvine is up and coming. Cal is an extremely difficult admit, and you would be better off taking another science for that campus. For UCR, it won’t matter.</p>
<p>btw: the science requirements for the Cal States are slightly different, so if you are applying to SLO or other Cal State, you might want to look-see if your three courses will count.</p>