I will be a rising senior very soon and I am conflicted between taking Ap Environmental Science and Ap Chem. I will study international relations in the future but I am aiming high for colleges such as Princeton, John Hopkins, NYU, Northeastern, etc. Do you think it is better to take AP env sci since that is what relates more to what I am studying or take Ap chem since it shows colleges that I am still challenging myself? The other ap classes I will be taking are AP calculus AB, AP macroeconomics, AP microeconomics, AP Literature, and AP Government.
Assuming your GC will mark your schedule as “most rigorous,” either is fine for a non-STEM major. Yes, AP Chem is more challenging, but there is no check box on the Secondary School Report for “Super Duper Extra Rigorous.” Take the one that interests you more.