I just found out I have the option to take AP Bio. I feel like I need it for course rigor, since most kids at my school take four APs as a senior and I only have 3 (Comp Gov, Lit, Calc BC). I also feel like the main element missing from my transcript is a core AP Science class. I’ve done honors chem, honors bio, regular physics and AP Environment. In all honesty, I really don’t like science and probably wouldn’t enjoy AP Bio. It is an easier AP at my school, and I would most likely get an A, but the workload is infamous, and I feel like it might drag down my other classes. So ultimately, my question is: how much would it help to have AP Bio on a transcript? Would that put me at a disadvantage to not have taken any core AP Sciences?
Personally, I loved AP bio, but if you’re not enthusiastic about the subject you’re right that you may hate it. It doesn’t seem like a huge deal to have no core science AP’s if you don’t want to go into science, but if you’re concerned about having a lighter courseload than everyone else maybe you could take an additional AP/Honors class in another subject that you like better?
In other threads you ask if you’re ready for “Ivies or other top schools” – I would posit that how you handle challenges and make decisions reflect a lot about your maturity for “top schools”.
Conventional wisdom is to take as rigorous a courseload as possible while doing well. Might it drag down your other courses? I dunno. I’m not saying you HAVE to take it – for me I WANTED to take everything I could – because I genuinely wanted to learn a broad base of material. Not nurse my GPA. Based upon my transcript choices, top colleges recognized the type of student I was – academically hungry and full of initiative.
I am not reading a single positive thing in your post. You clearly don’t want to take it, and you have four sciences courses.Why on earth don’t you think Ap Env sci isn’t a science course? My kid said that was the hardest science course she took and it was tons of work. You already have bio, chem and physics.
Now, if you only have three APs total, and are looking at top schools, maybe you can consider it. I don’t think you need it though, and you clearly don’t want it. If you already have a few AP classes under your belt, I would take it.
perhaps it depends on the schools you are interested in?
@matskabelle I wish, but everything else closer to my interests is filled.
@T26E4 I don’t remember asking if I’m ready for Ivies. I can assure you I’m miles from being so, but that is fine, since those aren’t the schools I’m focusing on. I’d much rather take classes I’m interested in than nursing my GPA, but the point of this thread is to ask if it would be more practical to pursue the most rigorous option open (which is AP Bio).
@Lindagaf I didn’t say it isn’t a science course. However, Enviro is generally not considered a core AP science, and several admissions officers have specifically stated they prefer to see other AP sciences than Enviro. I don’t consider it a joke, however, since it definitely made me work hard. I’ve done five other APs total, in addition to the three I’m taking this year. It’s true that I’d prefer not to take the class if it doesn’t hold any significant benefits for my transcript.
@manykids2000 I’m looking at UCs, Michigan, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Duke, USC and Rice, among some others.
I guess the ultimate question I’m asking is: Would AP Bio be that much more impressive than honors bio? I wouldn’t take the class if it wouldn’t contribute much to my profile, since I’ve already taken a biology course. In addition, I could take a more fun class that I might enjoy more, like a creative writing seminar or a theatre elective.
I definitely would not reco taking an elective in place of a core science because they say the competitive schools will be looking for all five cores for every single year in HS. You are a senior? I guess I would look at each of your schools and see what their data set says. I would recommend AP BIO. The year my son took AP BIO he also took AP EURO and it was much more work outside of class.
In answer to your ultimate question: NO. You already have 8 AP clases. You run the risk of looking like an academic drone, and colleges dont like that. Taking a class that you have already taken is not going to tip the scales in your favor. You already have the three core sciences and that is great. At this point what will tip the scales in your favor will be recs, essays, ECs and any awards.
@Lindagaf I don’t want to seem like an academic drone. However, 8 APs doesn’t seem like a lot compared to many of the kids who get into these top schools. I’ve heard it’s important to take many AP classes in context of my school, and my school offers a lot (20+). Of course I realize there are kids who get into Ivies with 0 APs.
Any other opinions? Another option I just found out about is a period for tutoring autistic children. I love working with children, and think the class would be fulfilling. Maybe that might give my transcript something more interesting than another AP class.
@skieurope @ucbalumnus I respect both of your opinions, maybe you could provide some insight.
So is it 8 APs in total? Your other thread mentions seven total. And what happened to the fourth year of foreign language? You also said you have not taken physics yet?
Maybe you don’t respect my opinion, but I will give it nevertheless. You want to apply to the tippy top colleges. Not having physics is far more problematic than taking AP Bio. You need physics. If the colleges you want recommend four years of FL, then do another year of FL. Prirotize the recommended courses over another AP. You will not get in without the minimum recommendations, unless you are hooked.
Not sure if your schedule has changed since your other post, but what you said there doesn’t line up with what you are saying now. Elephants have a long memory, and so does CC.
@Lindagaf OP mentioned in the beginning that s/he already took physics.
I’m pretty much in agreement with lindagaf. Don’t take an AP just because it’s an AP. You have 4 science credits, so you’re covered. If you’re not planning on being a STEM major, I see no point in taking AP Bio.
In the case of science (or social studies for that matter), I am of the opinion that if one doubles up in any given year that there is no need to take something in that field every year, as long as the balance of the schedule is rigorous.
While I agree, none of the colleges the OP is targeting require/recommend 4 years.
Back to the original question. 3 AP’s vs. 4 as a senior will not move the needle in the admissions process. You have 8 total, which is great. As long as your GC rates your schedule is “most rigorous” I think you’re fine.
@skieurope , OP has two other threads, one from a couple of weeks ago, in which he/she states they haven’t taken physics. Hence, my comment. Re FL, I said “if.”
@Lindagaf I see. I did not look at past threads. In which case, I would be in agreement.
@Lindagaf @skieurope Thanks skierope. I decided on physics and fourth year of foreign language, but another spot opened where my elective used to be. Maybe I should’ve said “am doing physics” instead of “have done physics” to be more clear. Lindagaf, not sure how what I’m saying here doesn’t line up there. Also don’t remember saying I have 7 APs, and I did read through the thread that you linked. And where did I imply I didn’t respect your opinion?
OP, often, people will look through a poster’s other threads to glean more info. I wanted to see what schools you were thinking of so I could give you sound advice. The other post said you are thinking of taking H physics, this post says you have taken R physics. You can see why I was confused. Your other post also said you have taken seven APs. (Post #4, four APs jr year, three senior year.) Again, that confused me.
When posting these types of specific course selection questions, it will give a clearer picture to perhaps list your schedule.
@Lindagaf I also took an AP class sophomore year. My current course selection is regular physics, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Comp Gov, Italian 4, and either AP Bio or a fun elective. Sorry for any confusion.
Any other last minute opinions? I need to submit my final schedule tomorrow.
Yes. Now that you clarified, I would take the fun elective. I would not, in your situation, double up on sciences, since that’s not your strength. Although it depends on the teacher, AP Bio is very time consuming. In addition to the HW involved, that lab reports take a lot of time. Additionally, many schools schedule the class as either a double period, or require before or after school time to actually do the labs. Good luck.
I would do the tutoring class with Autistic kids if you think you will enjoy it. It adds another dimension to you. Colleges are trying to see who the person behind the stats is, and that is an good option. Otherwise, take a fun class that is something you are interetsed in. A college doesn’t penalize kids who take the occasional non-academic class. They understand that you are human. They prefer humans to academic drones.