<p>I know that there is a similar thread about this, but what I'm asking is a bit different. Is Chemistry required to get into top universities? I'm a sophomore and for the next two years I'll take AP Biology and AP Physics, as well as AP Calculus. I wasn't going to take Chemistry because AP Chemistry isn't offered at my high school, and I'm already going to take more advanced classes. Is this going to hurt me? </p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Wait- will you be taking ANY Chemistry course? Not taking AP Chem if it's not offered wouldn't really be looked down upon (as long as you're not planning on majoring in chem =P)... but Chem is such an important subject that you should try to take it. If Chem isn't offered PERIOD... 1.) Your school is pretty messed up =D and 2.) I'd talk to your guidance counselor.</p>
<p>It is offered, but I'm already going to take AP Biology, Physics, Calculus, etc. Will top universities look down on me, especially Ivy League universities, because of not taking Chemistry?</p>
<p>I'd hate to say that they wouldn't... but Ivy League universities would probably want to see a Chemistry course. It's a very important course... and most of the applicants at the most competitive schools have taken all of those courses plus AP Chemistry. I know that it's not fun, and that's not the answer that you wanted (and it's probably even more annoying because you're not planning on going into science... right?), but it's the truth =(</p>
<p>Actually, I'm interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and I'm aware of the importance of Chemistry in said career. It's just that, most likely, my schedule will be filled for junior year, and I don't want to take Chemistry my senior year when I can take more advanced classes. Well, who knows, once I get my schedule maybe I'll be able to take it next year.</p>
<p>What else is in the schedule that would result in you not taking Chemistry? I thought that was practically required to get out of most high schools (that, Physics, or Environmental Science if offered).
You should just take it since Chemistry is a bread-and-butter course, and if you want to continue on in most science fields you will want even the basic experience.</p>
<p>It's not required in my high school, and I will be self-studying the subject so that I at least have some basic knowledge before starting college. At my school, six classes are the maximum and, most likely, I won't be able to take Chemistry since my other classes, for me, are more important. Some are required, so I can't substitute them with Chemistry.</p>
<p>Oooh... if you're going into medicine, you DEFINITELY have to take Chemistry. If you do go to a very competitive school, you'll be far behind those who have already taken AP Chem. Many who have already taken that class receive bad grades in Chem-oriented classes, so you'd probably struggle.</p>
<p>There must be some classes that are filling up space in your schedule. During HS, I've had (will have) room to take H Bio, H Chem, AP Envi Sci, AP Chem, AP Physics, and AP Bio, with at least one elective each year. What classes are filling your schedule? Because, I don't know how you wouldn't have room.</p>
<p>EDIT: Ahhh. I see. At my school, we have seven periods. Anyway, try to see if you can take a Chemistry course at a local community college/at a college's summer program. I think that it might be a bit difficult to self-study Chemistry with no prior knowledge (self-studying AP after taking Honors wouldn't be bad... but with nothing? You might need some help from a tutor. If you are self-studying, try to get some help from your school's Chem teacher, too.)</p>
<p>This is my unofficial schedule for junior year:</p>
<p>AP Biology
AP American Gov.
Economics (required)
World Lit. (Required if I want to take AP English my senior year.)
Physical Ed. (Required, unfortunately.)
AP Statistics (This is where it gets interesting; I told my counselor that I wanted to take this class in substitute of a class I was going to continue, Newspaper. My counselor said that I could, but only if this class didn't overlap with any of my other classes. *I would take Chemistry if this class did, in fact, overlap. I won't find out until next Monday.)</p>
<p>I'll also be self-studying for the AP Spanish exam.</p>
<p>I am surprised that L.E. lets people take Gov't in junior year; in OH I believe it is almost a universal senior course, required by the state. Yet Economics is not required here, but offered both years and primarily taken by juniors.
You can come back Tuesday (Monday, Memorial Day, is a national holiday) and give us the complete picture.</p>
<p>Well, I'm sort of an unusual case. Another student and I are the only two sophomores (that I know of) who are taking American Gov. during sophomore year, so that we can take AP American Gov. junior year. You are right, though, most who take the class at L.E. are seniors. I also meant the Monday after Memorial Day. But who knows, I might find out sooner.</p>
<p>Uh...why wouldn't you WANT to take chem? It rapes...then again my view is biased ^_^ <--- gayest "emoticon" ever...</p>
<p>One piece of advise, YOU MUST TAKE CHEM IN HS. If you do not then depending on what college you go to they might not even offer a HS level Chem course and you will completely fail a college chem class. You must take it if you have any intentions of continuing in a science track in college.</p>
<p>have same question about physics. Do top schools look down on not taking in HS?</p>
<p>Definitely take Chem!! If you want to be in the medical field, you really have no choice. By the time I graduate I will have pib bio, pib chem, physics h, AP physics B, iB Chem SL, AP chem, ib bio hl. Thats with 7 period classes. If you need to, I would take chem online rather than self study AP spanish or do both if you can handle it. Annd your AP us gov isn't that rare (at least at my school). We're all required to take it sophomore year. Just take a credited chem class (regular, honors (AP not recommended for a first year chem class))</p>
<p>"If you do not then depending on what college you go to they might not even offer a HS level Chem course and you will completely fail a college chem class. You must take it if you have any intentions of continuing in a science track in college."</p>
<p>That's what I wanted to say, too. Ask your guidance counselor if you can take Chem in place of AP American Gov't. It's much more important (in my opinion), ESPECIALLY if you want to go into medicine!</p>
<p>At first I didn't want to scare you... but now I just will. If you're going into medicine, going to a top college, and haven't taken ANY Chem course in high school... you're probably going to fail. Even the most qualified, intelligent students who HAVE taken both H and AP Chem fail college courses. I strongly-strongly-strongly-strongly suggest that you take a chem course... or at least self-study it... VERY, VERY well!</p>
<p>All right, my last question is, will colleges accept a Chemistry class over one less AP class (if that were ever to happen)?</p>
<p>I think that they would prefer to see Chemistry. If one students has one less AP class than another applicant... well, that's okay. If two students are applying to a college, both want to go into medicine, and one hasn't taken Chemistry... THAT would probably be an easy choice for the college!</p>
<p>All right, I'll ask my counselor on Tuesday to substitute AP Statistics with Chemistry. Hopefully, she'll let me and none of my other classes overlap.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your help and advice!</p>