<p>Should I take Chemistry or Biology? And, what others should I take?</p>
<p>i think some programs require chem and math IIC
take chem and bio if you can, it should help out alot</p>
<p>Chemistry first, if time, Biology.</p>
<p>wait please don't end this discussion yet</p>
<p>some of the schools are requiring english, but which english is it because i can't find an english SATII...
also i took chem my sophmore year and didn't take the SATII because i didn't feel prepared, but i'm taking Bio AP this year and planning on taking the SATII in bio, but should i try to take a summer course in chemistry and take the SATII in that in the fall? and do you know which schools require the chemistry?</p>
<p>I think Bio is more important than chem unless some programs require it. For english, it is english lit..</p>
<p>I have a question though..which is better/easier to take Bio E or Bio M?</p>
<p>Thanks and I hope it helped.</p>
<p>PediatricHopeful,
Just a heads up some programs Northwestern's comes to mind specifically requires chemistry. I don't think it really matters which Bio you, I took Bio M since I felt that I had more background in those areas. I didn't have a strong background in chemistry so I elected to take bio and then just didn't apply to Northwestern. So other programs (RPI/AMC, PPSP, and REMS) certainly will take Bio.</p>
<p>Whats the diff. between Bio E and Bio M?</p>
<p>E covers ecology and ecosystems
M is molecular biology</p>
<p>i don't know which one i want to take though...
does anyone know which one is better/easier?</p>
<p>Personally for biology its up to you. Many people take M (including myself) simply because it seems that school teachers like to emphasize the molecular part then sort of cop out the ecological part. But, in essence, they are about the same. Take what ever you feel more comfortable in. </p>
<p>I still hold by the fact that chemistry is the way to go. Sure, it's easier to take biology and get a higher score. But, the sheer fact that chemistry is SO much harder to score something like a 800 really helps in the admissions process in the longer effect (in my opinion). </p>
<p>I've never heard anyone require a lit or a foreign language SAT ii for their program. They might be referring to the old SAT ii Writing which was necessary at many different programs (including places like NU's HPME). Besides that, I highly doubt that many institutions will make you take the literature SAT ii. IT doesn't seem to hold any purpose. But, then again, times change, and for next year you might.</p>
<p>Mentos: My opinion is that you should definitely take the SAT ii Biology right after the AP. Primarily May or June. Word of caution though, because you did well at AP biology and get a 5 on the AP does not correlate with getting an 800. SAT iis and APs I feel are completely different. Biology SAT ii is much more specific in my opinion about the general things. On the contrary, AP Biology is very specific on the most random stuff and is much more vague in its grading. If you get 5 wrong on the SAT ii you are already in the mid-700s. If you get 5 wrong on the AP, you are still a strong candidate for the 5. So, review over what the SAT ii wants compared to the APs. You'd be surprised on the most stupid things are asked and you might not know.</p>
<p>As for chemistry, I would highly recommend finding your own way of studying for it during the summer. May it be classes, tutors, or privately figuring it out. In my instance, I studied for it solely on my own because by then I simply knew what SAT iis were asking for and it was a lot easier to find the important information and store it. However, if it helps for you to have a tutor, go get one. Still, chemistry is one of those topics that either you get or you don't. If you dont get it, don't expect the understanding to magically appear in your brain. Usually you need a higher level textbook or source to explain a lot of the different mistake you may encounter.</p>
<p>In general, my opinion would be that if you are serious about going BA/MD or BS/MD, that you should take Biology, Chemistry, Math IIC, a History, and Math IC. I justified my reasoning behind the first two; Math IIC is another strong SAT ii that many schools look for in candidates and are required in many many instances. As for the last two, they are much more subjective. Math IC I would take simply because it is easy grades for an easy topic. You should easily pull off a high 700 or 800, which look good if you don't do so great on IIC. As for history, it gives a good balance against the science/math predominant background you see in the other four tests.</p>
<p>I can argue that you should technically try to take another humanities (primarily a foreign language) because it will help in general. Most of all, having something such as a Spanish SAT ii, even getting a simple 700, will get you exempt in a lot of colleges of the freshman language prerequisite. The other humanities I would stress, though not heavily (as stated above), would be Literature SAT ii. Albeit, its not the greatest test and is rarely mandatory, it gives a strong overview in English beyond your Critical Reading and Writing scores. It can show you are a multi-faceted English person--that though you did not do so well on two areas, literature is your strong point. Moreover, Literature is known to be a more easier SAT ii, on the whole (Though, I have personally seen those without a strong English background [ie. out of the country] don't do so well, comparatively). </p>
<p>The greatest problem with this, is that after your core-5 SAT ii, (IIC, IC, Bio, Chem, History), taking another 2, takes the grand total to 7. And, honestly, 7 is either too much or very hard to pull off high scores on all 7. Moreover, many schools won't even have you write all 7 scores on your application and will only notice them on the score report. It is entirely up to you. This is my opinion. The Maths and Sciences you NEED to do well to show you are not just another high school student that came out with mediocre knowledge at a honor level course. The rest, anything above 700 should be fine; above 750, kudos to you for being so studious. </p>
<p>Last bit of information, many of you are Junior still needing to take many SAT iis. My opinion would be if you do not have time, take two at a time. Try not to take three. From personal experience, you can nail the first two, the third is the shakiest. Take Biology-Chemistry (In that order); then IIC-IC (Same). To my ideas, I think this had the best results for many people. </p>
<p>All in all, good luck all, any more questions, post them up. If you disagree, honestly, I don't care. I'm just speaking from my first hand experience, and I think I came out damn well.</p>
<p>wow...thanks that was awesome
yeah i haven't taken any sat II's yet (oops), so i don't think i'll be able to take the math Ic, seeing as i don't know how i'm going to fit everything in as it is...but thanks a lot for your advice</p>
<p>i was just wondering if anyone else heard about if you have to take an english sat II for the program, i saw it on a website for some school but it might be outdated...</p>
<p>What books do you guys recommend for Biology, Chemistry, and Math IIC (English Lit. if you know)?</p>
<p>For tests, Biology and Chemistry you primarily want Princeton Review and the REAL SatII book (the dark blue one. As for just study material, I would use the Barrons and Kaplan. A little vague? I primarily studied for SAT IIs on my own, so I realized, eventually, if you get to a proficient level you should be literally using all four and completing them all. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses. Barrons have hard test, but great chapter reviews. Kaplan may be a little superfluous, but has great random questions. For Biology, I would also consider using the AP Biology review book by CliffNotes (the most extensive for AP Biology). It brings up the most random things and helps a lot. </p>
<p>As for IIC. ANYTHING. The main thing with IIC is that you don't want to be learning the material. You want to be testing over and over, the same tests, doesn't matter. You can't to get the test down to a science and have it all easily figured out.</p>