Hello! I will be a senior next year and I’m having a hard time deciding my classes. Every one tells me to do what I think is right but I want to take them all! I plan to be an engineer either biomedical or petroleum. However, I’ve been thinking a lot about going into the medical field.
So here’s the thing; I need to decide between these schedules
AP Lit
AP Gov
French 3
AP Chem
AP Calculus AB
HOWEVER, I made a huge mistake taking general chemistry this year. I really want to go to Berkeley and they recommend 4 years of Science. My questions are, would it look bad to take AP Chem after already taking General? Does it count as 3 sciences or four?
My other schedule would be
AP Lit
AP Gov
French 3
Physiology
AP Environmental Science
AP Calculus AB
I am currently taking 3 AP’s and they are difficult but I know I can do it. That’s not the problem, but I’m worried about how my schedule will affect my admission to UC’s.
Next academic school year, I plan to continue volunteering, working, and be an active club member as well.
I would really appreciate any advice as soon as possible. The deadline is getting closer and closer and I don’t want to make any mistakes.
Have you already taken Physics or AP Physics? AP Biology? It’s not bad to take AP Chem after regular Chem. Indeed, that would be more useful to you in college than AP Enviro and Physiology option.
And don’t overestimate the importance of your ECs. Your ACT/SAT scores and GPA are MUCH more important than them. Don’t sacrifice the academic metrics for throw-away lines on your HS activities list. HS students have an overblown sense of the importance of “leadership” and “passion in an EC”. Your GPA, transcript and test scores are of primary importance.
I think both schedules are comparable for admission. It really depends on your field of study and which one may get you more AP credit and better placement in college. If you have some target schools, look at their AP credit policy.
Would you say that because it’s Chemistry again, it would only count as 3 sciences? Physics, Biology, Chemistry and AP Chemistry? Thank you so much for you’re help!
No, each year counts. When you take Algebra1 and 2, Geometry, and precalc, you have 4 units of math, not 1, right?
So you have 4 units of science, with all 3 “solid” sciences (Physics, Bio, and Chem) AND one AP, which is the ideal combination. You have to take the first level of science before you take the AP, and it’s better to have one science in depth than none.
In our school a typical science sequence is Honors Bio, Honors Chem, Honors Physics and then AP of one of those. If you want to be a petroleum eng, then AP Chem would be good. If you want to be Biomedical, then perhaps AP Bio would be better. Either way will be fine.
And you can major in Biomedical Eng and also apply to Med School.
