HELP! Senior Year Course Advice - AP Sciences

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>I will be a senior next year, and I have to decide what courses I will be taking. Thus far my schedule contains:</p>

<p>AP Calc BC
AP Stat
Honors English
Honors Italian
AP Bio
AP Chem</p>

<p>I have two spots for AP science classes. I can choose from AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics C, and AP Environment. I have very little interest in Environment, but I would definitely like to take Chem. I took regular bio freshman year (grade: A+), honors chemistry sophomore year (grade: A+), and AP Physics B this year (grade~ A).</p>

<p>If I'm going to take Chem (most likely), that leaves Bio and Physics C. Also concerning math: I absolutely love calculus. I am enrolled in AP Calc AB this year (grade: A+) and it is my favorite class, and also my easiest class. How different is algebra-based physics and calculus-based physics? If I love calculus will I love Physics C? I find that I tend to look back favorably upon the units we complete in physics but dislike it while we are learning the information. I don't remember enough about bio to recall how much I liked the actual subject matter because I hated my teacher. </p>

<p>I'm not sure what I want to study, but some possibilities include: Biopsych/Neuroscience, maybe Biomed Engineering. My target schools include JHU, Tufts, UVA (with reaches of the Ivies, including MIT). </p>

<p>What would you all recommend?</p>

2

<p>That’s going to be a lot of AP classes…</p>

3

<p>BC Calculus is a strong math class that you should definitely keep if you’re doing any type of engineering.</p>

<p>As for your science classes, I strongly recommend Chemistry and Physics, both strong Science courses that will help you not only get a strong foundation for Engineering major but help you get some lower level pre-reqs out of the way.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Biology could be a pain to do in Undergrad, as it’s a hard class and can get you a bad GPA. </p>

<p>However, in the end, it’s your call. If you want to get pre-reqs out of the way, I’d say Physics and Biology, but Chemistry is a great course too.</p>

4

<p>Go to the web sites of each of your target colleges and put “AP credit” in the web site search box to see what AP tests will give you useful subject credit for your intended major.</p>

<p>If you are pre-med, check the pre-med forum sticky threads and ask about AP credit there, as many medical schools do not accept AP credit used against some or all pre-med course requirements (though you may be allowed to substitute more advanced courses).</p>

<p>If there is no significant difference in usefulness of the AP credit, choose whichever course seems more interesting to you.</p>