I have taken Honors Chemistry and Honors Biology. I plan to take AP Physics next (senior) year. I have to choose between AP Biology and AP Psychology. I am leaning towards AP Psychology. From a Computer Science admission pov, is there any reason to prefer AP Biology (note that I have already taken Honors Biology) over AP Psychology?
Neither is specifically any more relevant to CS, if that is what you are asking. Math (minimum precalculus; calculus desirable if you finish precalculus in 11th grade or earlier) and CS courses (which can help you confirm interest in CS) would be the most specifically relevant courses (physics may also be relevant if the college’s CS major is engineering based). Of course, you should have the well rounded base college prep curriculum (4 years of English, 3-4 years of history and social studies, level 3 or 4 of foreign language, all three of biology, chemistry, and physics, etc.).
AP biology is commonly seen as more rigorous than AP psychology, so you may want to ask your counselor if it matter in terms of rating your course selection, overall academic strength, and overall rating on the counselor recommendation. This may matter for more selective colleges.
Thank you, @ucbalumnus this is exactly the info I was looking for.
Out of curiosity, why do you have to choose between AP Biology and AP Psychology if you are already planning to take AP Physics?
Outside of taking the most advanced Math classes possible, I would say no other classes are really that necessary for CS entry.
To answer your specific question, AP Bio is quantum leaps more difficult that AP Psych and so I guess it would hold more weight with Admissions officers assuming you did well in the course.
@Groundwork2022 AP Physics is planned for senior year (that’s next year), choosing between AP Biology and AP Psychology is for this year (junior).
For stem wannabes, stem rigor tops a humanities elective. (Especially one not considered very rigorous.) Of course, this depends on the tier of colleges you will aim for.