Is it better to take an easier AP like AP Pyschology and get a better grade, or take a harder AP like AP Chemistry, and get a worse grade? Which one of these do colleges look at as better, or do they not care?
Is it better to take an easier AP and get a better grade, or take a harder AP and get a worse grade?
The answer to this specific question is always “earn a better grade in the harder course”.
But which course you should take depends on the overall context of your schedule.
Take what you are interested in.
@ucbalumnus I know, I’m just wondering what colleges think about this.
@Waterborne Yes, but what point of view do colleges have on this?
There is really not a lot of data about this and it varies college to college. It also depends on how closely they look at your schedule.
As a heuristic, I would advise this:
C in AP Chem prediction, non-chemistry requirement in college → AP Psych
C in AP Chem prediction, chemistry requirement → Honors Chemistry OR start AP over summer break online intending to finish in APRIL (i.e. FLVS extended pace)
Psych or Sociology intended major = AP Psych
Senior year = AP Chem
It’s best to take a hard course and get a good grade.
But I wouldn’t suggest taking a college level course in high school-- that’s what APs are supposed to be-- if you’re not fairly confident you can master the material. The point, after all, is not just to crank out coursework, it’s to receive an education. If a particular course sounds too hard, maybe you should just put off that particular coursework until college.