Should I take AP Chemistry in my senior year, which is next year. Read below for more information.

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’ve never taken an AP class before. I’m already scheduled to take AP English, AP Psychology, and AP Biology next year. As you can maybe tell, I want to get into the medicine field when I grow up. Should I add AP Chemistry to my schedule next year? I took chemistry regular last year and I received a B in the first semester because I didn’t study at all, but I received a low A in the second semester when I started studying. Also my teacher was horrible, she literally never taught. She had us read off a textbook and learn from that.

At first I had no interest taking AP Chemistry because it is a 2 hour class in my high school, and I already have a challenging course for next year, which is AP Bio. However, my counselor asked me if I remember the chemistry I learned last year, and I replied that I remember very little. He recommended me to take AP Chemistry because in college, when I take a chemistry class, they will refuse to reteach me high school chemistry, so it is my responsibility to know everything before taking a college chemistry class.

So what are your thoughts? Should I take AP Chemistry? I am an extremely hard working Honors student who will literally go the extra mile for every possible point. I’ve stayed afterschool for 5 hours just to have an extra credit point added to my grade. I have All very high A’s except one B, which is an 88% in Algebra 2 Honors.

In addition, I’m good at science and I’m good at math when presented the formulas. It’ll just take me longer than other people who are actually naturally good at math.

So should I take AP Chemistry?

2

Replace the word “chemistry” with any other subject name, and that will be life in college. In no subject will a college instructor waste time reviewing material from prior semesters.

Now, back to your question. I never suggest taking AP Chem and AP Bio simultaneously because in many schools these classes are double-blocked and/or have mandatory before or after school sessions to do the labs. Not to say it’s impossible to do, but remember, you will also be doing college applications and essays, which will eat up a lot of time. Additionally, on top of the “normal” workload that goes into an AP class, each will require additional time to write up lab reports. Whether you should take AP Chem instead of AP Bio is a personal choice based upon interests and future plans.

3

Take the science you prefer most. You’ll most likely take both in college since most medical schools don’t accept AP credit.

4

Take either AP chemistry OR AP biology, not both. If necessary, take a chemistry for non majors class at a community college over the summer in order to review basic chemistry. Try not to take both biology and chemistry together first semester in college either in order to get accustomed the rigor.

5

Since you seem to have interest in biology I’d say do that because you said you had no interest in chemistry at first.