<p>Hey I am looking to get into Stanford University or an Ivy University and I very much know that science courses are not what will get me in, but still it helps.</p>
<p>Should I do:</p>
<p>11th Grade:
AP Bio
AP Physics B</p>
<p>12th Grade:
AP Chemistry
AP Physics C</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>11th Grade:
AP Physics B
Biology Honors</p>
<p>12th Grade:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry</p>
<p>Thanks so much in advance.</p>
<p>Note: If I take the first schedule those will be my 2 AP's in 11th, if I take the second schedule with just one AP Science in 11th Grade, I will also take AP Economics or AP European History</p>
<p>I suggest the second schedule - it makes you look more well-rounded.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply, why do you think it makes me look more well rounded? thanks</p>
<p>Go with the first, challenge yourself and no, the second one does NOT make you look well rounded, just makes you look cautious. You will be taking the same courses but more advanced. I would jump all over Physics C if my school offered it. Besides, I have taken all of my APs without taking honors first (including chem, bio and physics B) and did well without much added difficulty. Taking honors first won’t help you much(I have friends who did this). So go for the rigor.</p>
<p>The second makes you look more well-rounded because you’re expanding yourself outside of science and proving that you can excel in other fields of academic inquiry. Schools like to see that you’re all around great, not just a “science kid.” The second schedule is more than sufficiently challenging to impress the schools you want to get into - I mean, you’re still taking the same amount of APs no matter what. Moreover, if you are going to pursue science in college and need more advanced studies in physics, it’s a good idea NOT to have B and C. Two years of AP Physics gets you used to how AP Physics is taught, not how real physics at a real, top tier university is taught. </p>
<p>No offense to tito, but I got accepted to all of the Ivies - I know what it takes, and I know what they’re looking for. The second schedule is your best shot.</p>
<p>why can’t you take the Euro or Econ anyway, three APs is manageable, especially senior junior year</p>
<p>^Besides, I wasn’t looking at the Social Studies part because I thought he was just talking about what sciences to take.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with you there - the more, the better.</p>
<p>An adcom would expect a Stanford-quality applicant to have taken lots of AP classes in a school where they are readily available.</p>
<p>The third option is the best:</p>
<p>AP BIO
AP Physics B</p>
<p>plus AP Euro in Junior year.</p>
<p>A Stanford adcom will want to see that you can take 3 AP and do very well in all. If you’re talking a school ranked, say 25-50, then it doesn’t matter as much.</p>
<p>To be honest, your second option, with Honors Bio crutching you into AP Bio, looks timid, insecure.</p>