<p>Okay, I've posted variations of this topic on two different sections of the forums, but I figured I'd get a perspective from here. Long story short, a week before school starts my schedule gets screwed up and now I have to choose between AP Psychology and AP Biology, two courses I wasn't even planning on originally taking (I also have to separately choose between the courses I was going to take). Is it true that almost everyone in CAS ends up taking Intro to Psychology? If so (though I know I'm probably exaggerating) then why? I'm thinking of either majoring in Biological Sciences or Physics (I'm taking Calc and Physics this year). At Cornell specifically, does going into an intro bio course without having taken AP put me at any disadvantage, especially when grades come into play. Part of me thinks yes since I figure that most bio majors (once again - I have no idea so this could be an exaggeration) will have taken AP Bio, yet part of me thinks no since we're all learning the same material at the same time, and its not like an intro biology course is built off of another course or any higher math like in physics. I've also already taken Honors Biology (though in freshman year) and I got an 800 on the SAT II, and I'm thinking that since I'd never taken a Psychology course in my life, I could be missing out, especially since this is the last year of high school. How hard are they also in comparison to each other, and once again - am I stating any misconceptions here?</p>
<p>I don't want to be rude, but if someone responds, please don't just say "I'd take AP Bio/Psych" - that doesn't tell me anything. Please answer what I've asked. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I think many people take intro to phyc in Cornell because the course is incredibly popular. It's not even a required course if you actually major in phyc. I think you should take AP bio if you want to major in biology. cuz that way it shows your passion, like you took hon bio, got 800, but still want to learn more.</p>
<p>It's incredibly useful credit to have....if you get a 5, they will offer to give you credit for 2 intro bio classes!</p>
<p>I still took the first semester to get a good foundation, but took credit for the second semester, which contained more ecology and less of what I was interested in.</p>
<p>You wouldn't want to place out of psych. even if you could....I hear it's a great class, and one of the easier classes (aside from the amount of reading).</p>
<p>But does not taking AP Bio put you at a disadvantage if doing it as a major? Are most in the intro bio classes those who have taken the AP course and because of that, would that make the curve harder for me since I would have less background from AP, or is everyone pretty much on an equal playing field? And plus, and I really hate asking this, which one is harder (Bio or Psych), and which one would be easier to handle if my other courses are Physics 1,2 (for the C Test - the harder course in my school), Calc BC, and English Lit (all AP's), along with AP US (or possibly Philosophy), or would it not make that much of a difference. Are they both about the same amount of homework/classwork? Test comparisons? Anything else?</p>
<p>Waffle, no matter how hard you try you cant really get a definite answer for your question about the dificulty of those courses. It all depends, really. If you're up for a challenge and you LOVE Biology take AP Bio. If you're interested in knowing more about Psychology take AP Psych. You might decide you want to major in Psychology, instead. Biology requires much lab work, then Psych (even some after-school time, too) and Psych requires more critical writing and researching. I would suggest Bio, to complement Physics, but if its as hard as Physics in your school, take Psych.</p>
<p>Waffle, I've never taken Psych, but I've took Bio. Bio wasn't too bad in the firts two quarters, but it gets harder (like every other class, escept for perhaps History.) The only big difficulty I had in Bio was memorizing those gazillion Latin names in the evolution chapter. Oh those old days that I never wish to go back to. Take Bio now and skip the trouble in college.</p>
<p>Thank you far the information given so far.</p>
<p>Well, I picked up the summer AP Bio stuff from my school, and looking through it, I don't think this is even physically possible to do without basically throwing off my whole year from the beginning by being vastly behind in one class. I have to read the last 200 pages of a ginormous textbook and read some book, write 3 essays, and answer probably around 100 short answers. There is no work required for AP Psychology. So if I decide to cram this into one week, I can end up very stressed out before school even starts, possibly doing poorly in AP Bio, which could lead to a domino effect in my other classes. Is it really even worth the trouble?</p>
<p>The main question now, which I really, really need answered, is how much of a disadvantage would I be at in college, in comparison to the other students, if I did not take AP Bio. At first I thought I'd be at a major disadvantage, but then again I remembered that some schools do not even offer AP courses. Once again, since this is crucial, would I have any major disadvantage if majoring in biological sciences without taking AP Bio? Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't think you'll be at that much of a disadvantage. There are people who take AP bio and still take the intro class, and compared to you, of course they'll be better prepared. but you've already taken hon bio anyway, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. also, remember, those who have taken AP bio don't necessarily remember that much from the class (I for one, don't). Also, the point of an intro class is to teach you about basic biology, not to compare and fail someone because he didn't take AP. =3</p>
<p>AP Bio, totally...I got a 5 on the AP exam and got to skip out on the entire year of the intro to bio course at Cornell and got all the credit for it...that is SUCH a nice feeling.
Convenience and awesomeness aside, you definitely don't need AP Bio to get into a Bio major in either CAS or CALS. I know PLENTY of people who got into either program without it. That said, Bio is one of the most competitive (if not THE most competitive) major at Cornell, so make sure you really want to do Bio before you apply (and will be able to communicate a genuine interest, as that's what they're really stressing on the application this year).</p>
<p>I wouldn't skip intro bio if you are not a bio major but are a premed. If you are a premed i would recommen taking as much bio, chem, phys and math as you can in hs so that you'll do well in college. Even if you get a 5 on the AP, they usually don't recommend that you skip intro to bio, if you are premed. But you can skip it if you are going to take upper level bio courses.</p>