Should I drop Chemistry AP/Compsci PreAP and take Music Theory AP instead?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Alright so I am currently a junior who is picking classes for my Senior year. I currently have these courses selected for next year:</p>

<p>Physics AP
Art History AP
Eng IV AP
Calculus BC AP
Statistics AP
Chemistry AP
Compsci PreAP</p>

<p>(Already took Gov and Eco AP junior year).</p>

<p>Should I replace Chem AP with Music Theory AP?</p>

<p>Here's what's making me lean towards Music Theory AP:
- At my school, MTAP is a JOKE. Probably the easiest class/teacher in our school. GUARANTEED A.
- I've already taken Bio AP Junior year, and will be taking Physics AP next year. That's TWO science+lab courses under my wing.
- ChemAP is pretty much the hardest class at my school. Only about 4-5 As out of 60 people in both class periods. </p>

<p>Now, I had just a few questions before I went ahead and selected MTAP.</p>

<p>1) I am thinking of going into either Business or Mechanical Engineering for my career choice. Would Chemistry even be required for my degree?
2) Sometimes colleges look down on some AP classes, for example APES. Would this happen on MTAP? OR, as a few friends of mine mentioned, <em>would this make me seem like a more well-rounded person?</em> (MUSIC Theory..)
3) Furthermore, if MTAP is looked down upon, by how much? If the difference is extremely slight, I'd rather not put myself through Chemistry hell. I've already got 2 science AP courses, and I have a ton of ECs (President of 4 clubs, developed 5 iphone apps, invested in stocks) to back me up.</p>

<p>Finally, a couple of irrelevant questions:</p>

<p>4) Do colleges see if you drop a course second semester of senior year? About half of the senior ChemAP kids dropped this semester (still going to take the exam) with the thought that colleges wouldn't see this. Is this true? If so, then I wouldn't mind sticking with Chem through one sem. just to get an off period the next semester..
5) If colleges DO see this, would they normally reject you on this basis (that you dropped one extra science course, which you don't need since you already have like 5 science credits, just to take an off period)?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Sorry, meant to say that I will be taking Gov and Eco over the summer after junior year.</p>

3

<p>bump!</p>

<p>10char</p>

4

<p>I’d be an overachiever and take Chem, if you can handle the workload.</p>

5

<p>Truthfully, Music Theory sounds like a joke AP no offense, while Chemistry and Comp Sci are core courses that are fundamental to several majors in college, so take the harder courses.</p>

6

<p>To anyone who says Music Theory is a joke AP: hahahahaha. Try harmonic and melodic dictations, and tell me if you still think that. Maybe at some schools the class is easy, but the test was certainly not.</p>

<p>I would pick theory. I’m in ap chem right now, and I HATE it. Theory was awesome. I wish I could drop chem and take theory again. </p>

<p>Can you read music? I’m sorta guessing you can, but I know people who tried it without being able to read music going into the class. It was rough for them.</p>

7

<p>What I meant by that is Music Theory isn’t a prevalent class in college unless you are majoring in fine arts. If the OP wants to pursue a more science-oriented major than yes it is much better to take AP Chem or AP Comp Sci, and I feel that colleges would put more weight on these science courses than on Music Theory.</p>

8

<p>Freshman general chemistry is likely a requirement for a mechanical engineering major; check your prospective colleges to see whether AP chemistry can be substituted for freshman general chemistry.</p>

<p>AP chemistry will not be useful for a business major, unless except for breadth requirements if AP credit is accepted for those.</p>

<p>AP music theory would only be useful for breadth requirements for these two majors if AP credit is accepted for breadth requirements.</p>

<p>Of your other courses, AP physics should be the C version, not the B version, if you want the possibility of credit for freshman physics courses taken by engineering majors in college (although not all colleges accept even the C version).</p>

9

<p>AP Music is a very difficult class- definitely not easy in any aspect, and the test is something that many professional musicians could not pass. So unless you have a strong interest in music, and at least rudimentary skills in music theory, I would suggest sticking with chem. Music theory could land you with a bad grade unless it is something you are interested in and are willing to apply yourself, which could lower your GPA. If it’s something that you’re interested in, though, it is a great option.</p>