<p>So the usual, most rigorous courses that one would take for science would be:
-Earth Science Honors
-AP Biology
-AP Chemistry
-AP Physics</p>
<p>but right now for me, I have all above but then standard chemistry and AP Environmental Science. but since I need to bring my gpa up, I was thinking about taking AP Environmental science next year, and then not take a science my senior year. but how do colleges view students that have not taken chemistry? or students with only 3 years of science? please help, keeping in mind i am terrible at math (which is why i am reluctant to take ap chem and physics)</p>
<p>i already took earth science freshman year, which is required, and ap bio this year. i wont have space in my schedule to take chem phys and enviro</p>
<p>I don’t understand why any schools require earth science. If anything, it should be an elective, not a core class. Waste of a year.</p>
<p>If you’re looking towards the top schools and haven’t taken chem/bio/physics (at any level), I’d consider you behind. Personally I would take Chem and Physics. If you want to take EnvSci, take it as an elective. It’s one, if not THE least impressive AP class.</p>
<p>Three credits of science isn’t a bad thing. It’s probably the recommended number of credits at most schools. The problem is that your 3 science credits do not include Chem or Physics, which almost EVERY high school student takes (even if not AP).</p>
<p>Colleges in the middle will probably be fine with it. The boost to your GPA will be good for them. At top colleges, I’m not so sure. You probably wouldn’t get the nod for course rigor. What kind of schools are you shooting for?</p>
<p>top ten my #1 is yale. but one of my friends who was in the same situation as i was in his junior year got into for yale for political science which is what i want to do. he told them in his interview that he really didn’t have a passion for physics and that he like env. sci. so if i do take physics, ill really only be forcing myself to do something i don’t want to do, and with that i don’t think i would be successful in the class.</p>
<p>Don’t come around here asking questions if you already have an answer, haha.</p>
<p>There is sooo much more to getting accepted to Yale than your transcript. But keep in mind that you’ll be competing with thousands that have a more rigorous schedule. With zero background in chem/physics, I consider you behind in science, even as a PolySci major, but I’m not on the Yale admission committee, so.</p>
<p>I would agree with this. It’s certainly possible to get accepted without having taken a physical science, just as it’s possible to be accepted outside of the top 10% or with a sub-2100 SAT. But your chances are decreased when you have these sorts of odds against you. </p>
<p>Frankly, I think students have begun to use the passion argument as a reason to avoid taking difficult classes or doing activities outside of their comfort zone. The fact of the matter is that most Yale admits will be star students in every, or almost every regard, and they will be able to succeed at most anything they put their minds to. If I were an adcom, I’d be wary of a student who didn’t they think were up to a challenge.</p>
<p>Keep in mind too that if your app is centered around political science, an A- or B in chem/physics isn’t particularly tragic; indeed, I think not taking the class in the first place is a bigger application flaw than a slightly lower grade. I, for one, had B’s (my school’s grading scale is 93-100 A) in IB Chem II and III and was accepted to H, P, and UChicago, among others. I personally don’t think I would have gotten in had I avoided a tough science altogether.</p>
<p>you make a good point. but mainly my argument for not taking ap chem and physics is because it is math based, and believe me i am terrible at math. with this i don’t even know if i can get even a b in the classes especially with my non-science course load. i was thinking of taking ap env. as a junior instead of a senior and then take ap chem (or physics, but more leaning towards chem) as a senior.</p>
<p>You posted asking for advice. YES, even though you said “how do colleges view…” you’re really only asking for advice because most of the time, we can’t know what colleges think. We’re not the adcom.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re pretty set on not taking AP Chem and Physics. Don’t take them if you feel that you don’t need them.</p>
<p>Just don’t call people who have a different opinion “rude,” because they’re not. Really, if someone took time to post it means they want to help you.</p>
<p>AP Envi Sci is generally seen as a very easy AP class, while AP Chem is seen as rigorous. If you want to get into very selective colleges, they expect to see you pushing high in all areas. Also, I have talked to several admissions counselors who say that physics is becoming seen as a standard thing, alongside biology and chemistry. Not saying you have to, but if you want to go to HYP type schools it is a good idea.</p>
<p>I’ll say what I’ve said to others in a similar situation:</p>
<p>If you truly don’t believe, despite whatever setback or disadvantage you have, that you cannot step up and take a course like AP Chem or Physics, then you are not mentally and emotionally prepared for the rigor you would face at Yale. You better believe you’ll be facing FAR more rigorous courses at Yale- whether it’s in the area of math or the area of PolySci, it’s going to be tough.</p>
<p>I’m not posting this to say you need to take AP Chem/Physics. I’m posting this to say that with this “I’m not good at math so I wont take hard math classes” attitude, you wouldn’t survive at Yale, and there’s a darn good chance admissions officers will see that through your profile.</p>
<p>Still it’s possible to get in without taking these classes. But.</p>