<p>I am a high school junior with 2300+ SAT score and good GPA but the one thing that I am worried about is that I am not taking a science at school this year. It is a long story to explain but basically I dropped AP Bio and wasn't able to be placed in any science at high school. As a result am now taking Environmental Science at a local community college and I will take Biology at local community college over summer + Bio subject test.</p>
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<li><p>How important is it that I take the AP Environmental Science test to prove that I actually understand the subject? If I get a 4 will it still be worth taking and reporting (I'm applying to Ivy's)</p></li>
<li><p>Secondly how much will this hurt me in college admissions that I'm not taking a science. If I end up doing well on the SAT Subject Test for biology will it still hurt me a lot during college admissions that I didn't take a science at high school during my junior year? </p></li>
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<p>AP scores are not hugely important as it’s self-reported and optional. However, doing well in one could replace a bad grade in the course or prove you can handle college-level material in an exam setting.</p>
<p>Your SAT score puts you in the range of accepted students at top-tier schools.
With respect to GPA, “good” is a relative term. If you don’t have excellent grades (4.0 or near 4.0 unweighted), you’re going to be at a disadvantage during the admissions process. To be a competitive applicant, you need to be taking the most difficult curriculum offered at your school.</p>
<p>Students who take an AP class in high school are generally expected to take the AP test. On the other hand, if a student takes a class at a nearby accredited college, there should be no reason at all to take the AP test. The grade from the course taken at a reputable college should stand on its own. Moreover, the topics covered by the college class are not necessarily the same topics that are tested on the related AP exam.</p>
<p>That being said, I have heard of students who take AP tests without taking the corresponding AP class. This occurs for various reasons, the most common of which is that the particular AP class is not offered at the student’s high school.</p>
<p>As I mentioned previously, in order to be competitive at selective colleges, an applicant has to take the most rigorous curriculum offered by the high school. Generally speaking, taking classes at a nearby 4-year university or community college indicates that the high school student is willing to take on a challenging curriculum…probably more challenging than what is offered at the high school. There are, of course, exceptions. College admissions officers are aware that some students strategically avoid “tough” (or harshly graded) high school classes by taking “easier” courses at the college level. (Think about the caliber of students enrolled in a high school AP class vs. that of students enrolled in an intro level community college course.)</p>
<p>You ask whether taking a science at high school during your junior year will “hurt” your college admissions chances. Since you’re currently taking a science class at the college level, I don’t see how that would be the case.</p>
<p>Whenever you are faced with curricular decisions, it can be helpful to put yourself in the shoes of a top-tier college admissions officer. If you’re selecting your classes in a “non-traditional” manner, it needs to be clear that you are taking the most challenging courses available. Admissions officers want to fill the incoming class with smart, hard-working students who demonstrate initiative, passion, and creativity.</p>
<p>Thanks this was a very helpful answer. My GPA is 3.96 unweighted with a B in freshman year. From asking my brother who goes to an Ivy, he said that taking Cell and Molecular Biology, and possibly a college level chemistry class this summer, will demonstrate to admissions officers that I am taking rigorous courses. However he said that taking Environmental Science looks way too easy as it is a notoriously easy class and admissions officers will think that I am taking the easy way out. Do you think this is true? The reason I mentioned the En Sci AP test was so that admissions officers would understand that the course I am taking is not just some super easy course, and that I actually understand the material well. </p>
<p>Are you in a science now? Are you in a full rigorous schedule today? What replaced AP bio? The real answer depends on your major and the tier you are aiming for. </p>
<p>The science I am currently in is Environmental Science at a local community college; I am wondering whether or not I need to take the AP test to prove that I know the material well, since En Sci is generally regarded as a pretty easy course…</p>
<p>Over the summer I plan to take Cell and Molecular Biology, get a good score on Bio subject test, and possibly take a college chemistry course + subject test.</p>
<p>With my 2300+ and my 3.96 unweighted I think I will be applying to some Ivy’s. I plan to major in either business or in law. </p>
<p>The answer isn’t straightforward. In some cases, it’s ok to go off the usual track. But there should be some valid (or understandable) reason.</p>
<p>They will look at your transcript. If junior year looks easy without AP bio, ES isn’t quite a par replacement. So, the first question could be, why is he/she replacing AP bio with ES? </p>
<p>I think CMB might be a good fix-it. But, without having taken AP bio, will you be prepared to get an A? In some respects, it could be overcompensating- you could take college level bio. That would be a one-to-one replacement. Re: do you need the AP scores? That depends on what other AP scores you will have. I know my answer isn;t complete. But all this is about what seems to make sense versus not. </p>
<p>The rest of my junior year schedule is APUSH, AP Calc AB, Chinese 4 H, Regular Am Lit, Principles of Business. Is that an easy schedule? </p>
<p>About the AP scores I will have 5’s in all of my AP classes. Right now I’m wondering if I should devote some time to study En Sci AP test and how much taking En Sci instead of Bio will hurt me in college apps. </p>
<p>The schedule seems fine.
I don’t think you need an AP score for a college class. You can self study and see how that goes. But this isn’t all about the stats aspects. Think about ECs that reflect your interest in law or business, some sort of relevant experience. Think about the essays.</p>
<p>@studytroveceo: any school that rejects you won’t be because you’re not academically qualified or lack potential. </p>
<p>Your SAT and GPA already show that. Take as rigorous a schedule as possible while doing well your Sr year and you’ll be fine. You’re really worried about nothing, IMHO</p>