<p>Is it necessary to take an AP science to get into the Ivy Leagues? My college guidance told me that I have to take AP Bio, Chem or Physics senior year to get into an ivy. But I took honors bio, chem and physics already, and got a 770 on the SAT II Bio. I am taking AP US History and AP Stat this year, and will be taking, AP Calc, AP European History, AP English Literature for sure. Does it look bad to take AP micro economics instead of an AP science if I am undecided about what my major will be in college?</p>
<p>Not necessarily, but it certainly does help. Ivy leagues and other prestigious schools want you to take the most challenging courses possible.</p>
<p>There is a ranking among the AP's. AP Studio Art doesn't count for as much as AP Physics. There is no rule, though, that you have to take an AP science course.</p>
<p>You do not need to take AP science if you are taking all the rest APs. The idea is to take the most rigourous schedule, but you already are taking alot of AP classes</p>
<p>How many total does your school offer</p>
<p>But does AP Economics count at much as AP science? Do you know where I could find the list of the rankings of APs?</p>
<p>I am taking all of the APs my school allows me to take but for my last choice, I have to decide between AP economics, psych and Sciences.</p>
<p>AP Bio/AP Chem would look very nice on your transcript. I took apbio last year (junior) and it was SUPER challenging. though i have to admit that it was really fun. and.. i kind of miss it this year? I took apstat last year too, i thought that class was hard, though my friends thought otherwise.</p>
<p>There are two versions of AP Physics: One is a survey course of college physics, and the other concentrates on only Classical Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. Some high schools only teach the Classical Mechanics portion of the class during the school year.</p>
<p>If you have alot of other AP's, I don't think you necessarily need to take AP Bio/Chem/Physics, but they are more impressive than AP Psychology/Economics.</p>
<p>You should evaluate how much your GC knows about it. If he/she is a GC at a magnet/private high school that sends many candidates to the elite colleges, then he/she probably has an idea of what it would take coming from your hs. Your GC will also be doing your rec. I personally think you probably can take what you want to take and be okay.</p>
<p>Will my chances for admission be hurt if I take economics, and a good deal of other kids in my school take Bio or chem?</p>
<p>Are you in the kind of high school where a dozen students apply to the same ivies. That is the only time when applicants are really judged against their fellow students.</p>
<p>I go to a school where more than 50 kids will apply to Ivies, especially Columbia and Penn.</p>
<p>Honestly? Take at least one AP Science if at all possible. I mean, as said, it's not NECESSARY, but with lots of kids applying from your school, I think you should make sure you have every advantage and are more well-rounded as a student. The sciences are far more competitive on transcripts than economics unless you plan on a business/economics major.</p>
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I go to a school where more than 50 kids will apply to Ivies, especially Columbia and Penn
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<p>Unless it is a feeder school for a specific ivy, they will compare you against your fellow students. More than anything, they will try to make decisions that will make sense to the students, parents and GC's at the high school. The adcoms will be aware that they can't the #14 ranked student while bypassing the #5, #7, #8 and #11 ranked students. I don't personally see them comparing applicants to see who took an AP science so much as comparing them based on rank/gpa. However, your GC wants you to take an AP science and that might matter at rec time if you skip it. It is your call about how much he/she will care.</p>