APES vs. AP Bio

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I really want to take APES next year, but my parents want me to take AP Bio. APES has the better teacher, but it’s the harder course (at my school). AP Bio, you either get a teacher where it’s a crapshoot to get an A and you don’t learn anything, or you get a teacher who’s an easy A and you don’t learn anything. I’m more interested in APES, although I like some parts of Bio (I mainly don’t like the organismal biology of multicellular organisms).

At this point, I’m confused as to which to take. Originally, I planned to take the following as my sciences junior and senior year:

Junior: AP Physics 1, APES
Senior: AP Physics C, AP Chem

However, I’m not sure how to organize the second sciences now. I originally structured it so that I’d have four different science courses taken by the end of junior year (I took Honors Bio freshman year and I’m taking Honors Chem right now) so it would be easier for me to get into summer programs in different disciplines as a rising senior. However, I’m not sure what I’m going to do now.

Any advice as to which science to take/how to structure my schedule? All AP sciences at my school are somewhat equivalent in difficulty, by the way. AP Physics 1 is a prerequisite for AP Physics C.

I’m still not sure about what I’m going to major/minor in in college, but I imagine it’ll involve some combination several of the following: physics, chemical engineering, geology, English/creative writing

2

You stated in your post you’re more interested in APES, so go ahead & take it. Simple.

3

I would take what you’re more interested in. I took AP Biology, and it was great, but if you’re more into environmental science, you should definitely take it. Classes are more bearable if you’re invested in the material. Plus, I don’t see much of a point in taking AP Biology if the teacher isn’t great. It means nothing if you don’t learn anything.