<p>I'd say it depends on how well she can cope with the workload -- does she have any time-consuming ECs, especially in the spring as she prepares for the AP test? Does she really like science, lab science in particular? Both Chem and AP Bio would be likely be lab-heavy.</p>
<p>And if she does AP Bio as a Soph, what would that make the remaining years of HS look like? Would she run out of available science courses as a senior? Does that matter?</p>
<p>On a side note, you might find out if the PE is waivable for students taking a heavy academic courseload. My son's school was very good about this -- waived the required three semesters.</p>
<p>Well, our D is now down to selecting between two colleges - she had seven to start. In a couple of weeks after visiting her two schools, she will be in college and my W and I will have her Sophomore Sister to assist in her college search.</p>
<p>It will be different, this is our 7th and last child. We have been involved with colleges since 1980 when our eldest S started. A very long journey.</p>
<p>We have never emphasized the PSAT = SAT = ACT tests and have discouraged any pre-test courses etc. It has worked for us and therefore we like it. Our S/D's have all done well in school and decent on the tests, even if none have broken the 700 bracket, we are satisfied.</p>
<p>We help with the research and offer the advice (sometimes aided by our older children).</p>
<p>Our Sophomore, however, justs wants to know which college she will be attending and would gladly forgo the journey that as we all know too well must be taken.</p>
<p>Our emphasis is on the personality of our child and the most likely path(s) that will suit her aspirations.</p>
<p>This year has been a very interesting one as the volume of applications must have really transfixed the Admissions Offices and their calculation of yield from the acceptance pool. I truly believe that they will be dipping into the Waitlist this year to meet their yield numbers.</p>
<p>Anyhow, a long journey ahead, hope all of us survive it. :>)</p>
<p>schinagus~your D is to be commended for wanting to challenge herself next year, if indeed it is her choice to take the AP Biology course. At our S's school (and it was the same at the hs our D went to) you are not allowed to take AP Biology until you have taken both Biology (reg or honors) and chemistry (reg or honors) and have done well in both--each student has to have been approved for any AP courses they take. (All students in All AP courses are required to take the AP exam at the end of the course in May). There may be material in the AP Biology course that assumes you already know some chemistry. That being said, it could be that your D really enjoys science, and will very much enjoy both courses. However, since they are both lab courses, that may mean quite a bit of extra work, especially in the AP course.</p>
<p>S1 took 2 sciences his senior year--but definitely a math/sci kind of guy. S2 (going to be a junior in the fall) took H Bio, currently in H Chem, and will be taking 2 sciences next year. They are allowed to take 2 sciences in the same year after completing Bio and Chem. He will be taking H Physics and AP environmental. He contemplated AP Bio, but thinks that he has a pretty heavy load with 3 other AP courses during his junior year and H foreign lang.</p>
<p>You and your daughter will have to decide if she will be happy with 2 sciences--she has to be motivated to do the extra work of the labs, and preparing for the AP Exam. If she is the one who is anxious to take the AP Bio, then let her make the decision. We long ago realized that although we can show the pros and cons of a school course selection, ultimately our Ss/D have to choose what they will be happy taking. We have been lucky, too, that they usually have been very motivated to take challenging course.</p>
<p>Good luck!!</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advise.</p>
<p>schinagus, My S took Honors Chemistry and AP Environmental Sci. as a Sophomore (did well in both 5 on Enviro. exam),Honors Physics (no AP Physics offered) as a Junior and AP Bio. as a Senior. I believe the Bio (at our school anyway) was more involved and required more work. Would she consider AP Enviro. sophomore year instead? That would still give her the AP science but maybe lighten her load a little.</p>
<p>PackMom - Thanks for the suggestion, I did heard that AP Enviro is easier.., however, we were thinking if she just finishes BIO now, it could be better continuing take AP Bio the following year. Not sure how much harder the AP Bio will be or will it make a difference if take Bio AP 2 yrs later? She would be listed on the bottom of the AP list, since the classes will be offered to Sr, Jr and then Sopyomore, AP consoler said no guaranty...If somehow, she is not able to get any AP classes, is AP Enviro. easy enough self study?</p>