My course registration for senior year is due tomorrow, and I still can’t decide whether to take AP Bio or AP Physics…
I’m more interested in bio in general - it’s my “possible major” - but I think that AP physics would be a really good class because it’ll probably be only 6 of us, and the people taking it are cool…Also, I haven’t taken physics since 9th grade, so I don’t have a very strong foundation in it and I’m not sure of how interested I am in it.
But if I should be pushing my “interest in bio” as a strong point for college apps (I’m done some summer stuff in bio), then do I have to take AP Bio to look good/consistent?<br>
And do I even want apply to college as a bio major? I’ve heard that bio is so competitive that it’s better to apply as undecided. If I should apply as a bio major, then should I definitely take AP Bio?
Also, kind of on a side note, is it okay that I’m only taking 6 APs total (3 this year, 3 senior year) if I want to apply to Ivies, etc?
<p>On the one hand, taking the AP exam probably won't count for much credit if you're planning on majoring in Biology. On the other hand, it would be consistant in your application, particularly if your application is hinging on your dedication to the subject.</p>
<p>It might be in your better interests to apply undecided. If you apply to an impacted major, and it matters, then you will face stiffer competition. However, if you are absolutely committed, why not? It is what you want to.</p>
<p>As far as "only 6 APs total," it depends on the context of your school. If your school offers only 6 APs, then it's fine. If it offers 15, you may want to look into taking some independent exams.</p>
<p>I think undecided means self-studying and taking the exams on your own. only thing about that, it's too late to register and study for APs this year and colleges won't know what you'll do the spring of your senior year.</p>
<p>if it were me, I'd go with the AP Physics, maybe ask your GC to say that you are challenging yourself or say you are going to self-study or at least mention it on his/her recommendation. I would be cautious about applying undecided and then hoping you will get into an impacted major, but if you aren't sure what you want to do then that would be the way to go. If you are sure you would like to major in bio, then just be yourself and put it down. I'd do what you want rather then trying to fit what you think the college wants you to see. In the end, I think you'll be happier with yourself and it will probably isn't a big enough decison to affect your admission to a a school. </p>
<p>Despite most schools recommending four years of foreign language, I had a really awful French teacher for three years, and while I could have stayed in AP French and skated by on with an A for college apps and then not taken the ap test because I don't actually know the language, but I dropped it and took something else. I got into plenty of fine schools and I highly doubt it made a difference to those I didn't get into, and I have absolutely no regrets about making myself unhappy for the sake of appearances or applications.</p>
<p>This is just my spin on things, but I'd say to focus more on what you want and if a particular college follows, it does (which I think many will) but if it doesn't then you'll probably still go somewhere great. I also doubt that taking AP Physics will be viewed as a downside by anyone, especially if only six or seven people in your whole school take it.</p>