<p>I was planning to take AP Environmental Science next year, but considering the fact that it's extremely easy, I can just self-study it. But my question is, is it worth it? It's an easy class so if I take it in school I can get a high GPA. However, if I just self-study it, will colleges look at it and be like "Wow that kid is super amazing awesome?"</p>
<p>I'm kidding about the super amazing awesome thing of course. But would self-studying and getting a lower GPA (Since I'd end up taking AP Chem instead) be worth it? Thanks.</p>
<p>Colleges will consider whether your GPA is high because you worked hard or because you took the easy classes. It is more impressive to get a good GPA taking difficult courses than to get an amazing GPA taking “safety” courses. Self-studying shows self-discipline as well.</p>
<p>What if you know you won’t get a good GPA taking difficult courses? I’m getting a B+ in AP Biology this year, I know my AP Chemistry grades next year won’t be any bit better. So let’s say theoretically…</p>
<p>Take AP Env: 3.9 Overall GPA
Take AP Chem: 3.6 Overall GPA</p>
<p>Would it still be worth it?
Sorry if I’m being annoying.</p>
<p>Self studying is next to useless in admissions, as far as I know. AP Score reporting isn’t even official, if that gives you any indication of how much they care about your scores. The main purpose of taking AP exams is to earn college credit- skipping courses, getting into advanced courses, etc. As far as admission goes, having the AP on your transcript is far more valuable than having an AP exam score listed on your application somewhere (though, AP EnvSci isn’t particularly impressive at all). If this is for your senior year, colleges won’t even see the score from the AP exam until after a decision has been made.</p>
<p>Now, if you have taken 5 AP courses and list 13 exam scores, you may look impressive (if they believe your scores). </p>
<p>I definitely don’t recommend taking APES if you’re applying to really selective schools, unless you are also taking a lab science class (chem, bio, physics, whether its AP or not).</p>
<p>Sorry for the bump, so selective schools would prefer that I get a B+ in Chemistry rather than an A+ in APES? Also, I’m planning to major in Political Science/Psychology (I’m currently hoping to be a lawyer in the future), if that means anything.</p>
^yes (im pretty sure about this), AP Chem is generally regarded as one of the tougher AP courses, and APES as the opposite. How would your gpa drop from a 3.9 to a 3.6 if you went from an A to a B?</p>
<p>Selective colleges would like to see you take core courses, and do well in them. Chemistry is a core course (lab science). Environmental Science is an elective.</p>
<p>Look at what colleges that you’re likely to apply recommend you take in high school. You may decide it’s not what you want to do. If so then find colleges for which your curriculum is more of a match.</p>
<p>What Nova said is wrong. Colleges look at the level of the course you are taking, not the subject matter. An AP Spanish Class is no less accepted than AP Chemistry because they are both “Advanced Placement” signaling their level of difficulty. If you think you can ace it, go for it.</p>
<p>it could really go either way; colleges want a high gpa and challenging classes. i’d say if you’re challenging yourself elsewhere, you might want to go for enviro to help your gpa and give yourself a break. but if ap chem will make a big difference in how rigorous your schedule is, then you should try to challenge yourself and go for chem. you might also want to consider emailing your top colleges and asking them which they’d prefer to see. good luck in your choice! :)</p>
<p>Currently I’m taking Honors Chemistry, which is a pre-requisite in my school for AP Chemistry. I’m going to end up taking AP Chemistry senior year anyways if I don’t take it this year. As for Math, I’m currently taking Honors Pre-Calculus, which is a pre-requisite for AP Calculus AB/BC. I’m going to take AP Calc BC senior year as well.</p>
<p>If I don’t take AP Env and AP Stat next year, I’m going to end up taking it senior year anyways. So the thing I’m mainly concerned about is since I’m going to take the same AP courses by the time I’m out of high school anyways, should I just take the easy courses Junior year to boost my GPA? My rigor isn’t going to change at all, only the time in which I take these courses.</p>
<p>You should consider APES as an elective, along with AP Psych, Econ, Gov, and Human Geo. If we were debating the merits of taking one AP core science (Chem, Physics, or Bio) over another, then you should take the easiest one. But you should take the core science over the elective, no doubt.</p>
<p>Well in my school all APs go into your GPA. And I don’t plan on majoring anything related to math or science. Does that change anything at all? A lot of people told me it doesn’t matter, and a lot of people told me it does matter. Besides the general case, what would be the best option in my specific situation? (Not a science major, Will take it senior year anyways, Difficult APs will kill my GPA, etc.)</p>
<p>And I do appreciate and take all of your advices into consideration. It’s just that a lot of people keep telling me different things, and I’m really confused. :X</p>
<p>From what I know (not much), you need to have solid, strong cores, e.g. math, chem, phys, English. I think that colleges will see that you’re challenging yourself in a variety of areas, and that even though you have a specific primary interest, you like to learn about everything. At least that’s the reasoning I use for myself.</p>