Hello, so I’m an incoming sophomore. I took chemistry this summer, and was planning to get into AP Chemistry next year, but I got an email yesterday that the class is full and I have to pick something else (AP Bio, APES, physics).
I really don’t want to do that, as I feel like if I take AP chem junior year, I would forget everything I learned in chemistry, and I would bring my GPA down a lot, since I’m planning on taking a couple other APs that are supposed to be really hard (Calc BC, AP lang, & APUSH), as well as Spanish 3 and French 2. So I really want to take it during sophomore year, and save AP Bio for junior year, which is rumored to be one of the easier APs my school offers. Should I ask to be put in the waiting list, and if that doesn’t work, which of the other science courses should I take? Thank you!
Also, there were many other people in my grade that were planning to do the same thing; does that mean that everyone who took the class over the summer got the same email as me, and should I bring that up in the email?
I think it is possible to take the AP sciences without any background, at least, that’s what my school does. So, I don’t think it would be that bad if you took AP Chem junior year. I believe Khan Academy also has Chem prep, which you could review before taking the class, this year or the next.
As for the class you should take, AP Bio may be an easy class at your school, but from what I’ve heard, the test isn’t, so if you want to do well on the AP exam, you will need to study a lot. APES is considered an easy AP. Maybe you could take that junior year, alongside your harder classes, and then AP Chem senior year.
As somebody who was in the exact same situation one year ago (took CHM over the summer, AP Chem wasn’t offered), I chose to take Honors Physics. That way I completed Chemistry, Physics, and Biology by the end of my sophomore year.
I just started AP Chemistry (along with five other APs) and the class is going to be tough. The first six chapters of the textbook (Zumdahl) are all about the previous Chemistry class, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting the material because the teacher will teach it to you again.
I would recommend that you take Honors Physics (which I was interested in taking), but you should take whatever class interests you. You still have two additional years after this upcoming one, so you have plenty of time to finish any requirements you will need for college.
Reality! Classes and preferred sections close . Have a reserve plan ready to go such as Ap Physics. If you truly think you won’t remember chemistry in a year, you can expect the beginning weeks of Ap chemistry will start with a review. If you really, really think you will forget chemistry after a year, make the effort to be solid in it before you take the AP level class. Your focus should be learning academic content rather than amassing credits.
So I really want to take it during sophomore year, and save AP Bio for junior year, which is rumored to be one of the easier APs my school offers. Should I ask to be put in the waiting list, and if that doesn’t work, which of the other science courses should I take? Thank you!