Senior Year - AP Chem, AP Environmental Science, or AP Bio?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m having a little trouble deciding on one of my AP classes I should take next year when I’m a senior. I’m already taking AP Calc BC and AP Physics C for sure, but I can’t decide whether to take AP Environmental Science, AP Chem, or AP Bio as well.

At first I was thinking I should take AP Chem since it would be most beneficial if I decided to major in some kind of engineering, but after hearing that the exam is extremely difficult, I began to change my mind. I then thought about taking AP Environmental Science because I’ve heard it’s a lot easier and I thought it would provide a better balance with AP Calc BC and AP Physics C, both of which I’ve heard are pretty hard.

However, I’ve also heard that AP Environmental Science is practically a blow-off AP class. Part of me wants to take it because it’s my senior year and it will be easier for me to handle with my other AP’s, but part of me doesn’t want to take it because it seems too easy and seems kind of like a waste of time.

I’ve also considered AP Bio because I took Honors Bio two years ago and found it really interesting. Then again, I’ve heard it’s about the same difficulty as AP Chem, so I’m kind of hesitant to take it.

I’m not sure what I want to major in in college; I have lots of interests and can’t really make up my mind. Last year I took a lot of social studies and English AP’s, so this year I thought I’d focus more math and science.

I don’t want to have a really hard senior year, but I do want to learn some valuable knowledge that will give me a head start in college. I will also be busy throughout the year with about three hours of athletics after school almost every day, so that’s an important time restraint to take into account. If anyone can give me some info and insight on what I should decide to take, I would IMMENSELY appreciate it!

2

I took AP Chem this year with a great teacher (and got a 5 - the test wasn’t that difficult and I’m definitely not a science person), but the class required a lot of work. You have a very rigorous schedule already with Physics C and Calc BC. Some colleges like to see that you’ve taken chem bio and physics in high school… Have you take honors chem yet? If so I’d probably recommend ES. That class is definitely easier and I know people that really enjoyed it.

Good luck!

3

My school doesn’t offer an Honors Chem class, but it does offer two options - one is “Chemistry in the Community,” which is really easy and is for people who know they don’t want to major in anything science-related; the other is straight-up “Chemistry,” which is what I took. It’s pretty much a regular class by name, but a lot of counselors say it’s an honors-level class by difficulty.

I might end up taking APES then. Thanks a ton!

4

You said AP Chem would be beneficial to you major of engineering, but I think AP Bio and APES will also be beneficial to an engineering major. It depends on what type of engineer you are wanting to become. I suppose if you want to major in environmental engineering, APES would be a good class to take. Maybe AP Bio for biomedical engineering. And AP Chem for chemical engineering.

I’ve heard that the AP Bio exam is one of the hardest out of all AP exams, and AP Chem isn’t that far behind it. I think if you want your senior year to be somewhat relaxed, you should take APES. Overall, any of these classes will look good on your application for a STEM major.