<p>Hello, I am a sophomore deciding which AP courses to take next year. Right now, I am on track to take AP Chemistry with AP Psychology as my double AP science.</p>
<p>However, I've been thinking about taking AP Biology. I have a genuine interest in biology. I self-studied for the SAT-II Bio-E exam after Honors Bio last year and got a 720. It's also more closely related to my intended major (environmental science) than AP Chem is. Logically, it would make more sense for me to take Bio because I already have a strong inclination for it and would probably do well. But I have heard horror stories about AP Chem (GPA killer, no sleep, etc.), especially at my school, so I want to take it next year to lighten my senior courseload (when I will have college apps to deal with). Additionally, I may have to take a Chem 101 course in college, so I might as well get that out of the way; and AP Chem is impressive for adcoms. </p>
<p>BUT I am definitely going to be taking the USABO next February. USABO and AP Bio both use Campbell's text. Since I will be studying for USABO with Campbell over the summer, I was thinking it would make more sense for me to take AP Bio next year as i will be able to breeze through it given my USABO studying. But if I take AP Bio next year, I might have to take AP Chem senior year, which I dont want to do because I dont want the AP Chem + Calc BC combination (which is hell apparently). Alternatively, I could take AP Bio next year and AP Physics B senior year, but I want the chem in somewhere; and physics is more distant from my intended major than chem is.</p>
<p>I also briefly considered self-studying AP Bio/ USABO over the summer (in its entirety, so yes the entire Campbell book). This would allow me to take AP Chem next year and AP Physics B senior year (plus with AP Psych its a full AP science circle!!). However, I am worried that I will not be able to completely study the entire Campbell book over the summer, in just three months, because I'm also juggling SAT prep, internships, and summer programs. </p>
<p>Also this might change things but I skipped honors chem at school. I took it at the CTY summer program; it was a full year of normal chem crammed into three weeks. I forgot a lot of chem concepts and will have to relearn <em>everything</em> over the summer. </p>
<p>Thank you so so much for anyone that is able to help me...!!</p>