Hey guys… I am a junior who wants to major in cognitive neuroscience/ psychology in college. So I need to choose only one bc other mandatory courses for graduation requirement already filled up space…
Btw, I really like math, and I took Ap physics C: Mechanics and AP Calculus BC in my sophomore year.
So here’s my circumstances…
I transferred to a school in a different state, and because I have not taken high school level chem/bio, they made me take it this year(current junior).
Therefore, I am taking Honors Chem and Honors bio now. really easy breeze… I sometimes help teachers…(they are nice!)
For my senior year (next year), I want to either take AP chem or AP bio, and here’s pros and cons I am aware of:
AP Bio
Pros- easy class(my school) to get an A if you work - therefore, I’ll be not too stressful to send my grade to colleges next yr
Cons- People cheat a lot.(through test bank) - I just want true learning…, teachers just give tons or reading assignments to students and do not really teach
AP Chem
Pros - The teacher actually teaches!!!, I love math
Cons- The hardest class in my school( I heard that the teacher is really a tough grader, so if I couldn’t get A by the time I apply to college, I would be a little depressing…)
I was originally thinking of taking AP Chem first, as I love to academically challenge myself, but I realized that I am taking SAT II subject test for chemistry this June, 2018.
Therefore, if I submit sat II chemistry subject test and taking AP chemistry… would it look less well rounded in science than having one bio and the other chem??
If I want to take ap chemistry, should I suddenly prep for SAT II biology to make more well-rounded college app?? lol
Maybe I am overthinking out of anxiety…
2 sciences Subject Tests do show one as more well-rounded. For that matter, colleges, unless they explicitly tell you which Subject Tests to take don’t care which ones you take. A one hour exam in any subject does not show well-roundedness.
I don’t know about anxiety, but you are definitely overthinking this. Either is fine. Flip a coin if it comes down to it. The other parameter you should look at is which class at your school has the better AP exam results. Good luck.
On college visits, we’ve been hearing that General Chem is one of the most difficult classes and students who struggle in General Biology do so because of a weakness in chemistry knowledge. For that reason, I vote for chemistry.
My D had a similar question as a junior. Out of bio, physics, and chem, she chose chem because the teacher is the best science teacher in the school. She knew it would be tough but she also knew she’d get the most out of it.
As the posters above said, ask around about the teachers. AP Chem would give a great boost in college, but with a bad teacher it is useless. Also, another factor to consider- what are you interested in? I was in a similar dilemma, but chose Bio because I am genuinely interested in the subject and don’t mind learning it at all. I knew that in Chem, which my brain is definitely not wired for, I would surely suffer. Halfway into Bio, I have no regrets- I love that class so much, even though it is difficult and a lot of work. Follow your interests and you will have a great senior year.
I took ap chem over ap bio and I’m happy with my decision right now; I’m only a senior in hs though. I’d say it depends on your teacher/subject preference.
A lot of people are pretty much coasting through senior year, especially the last semester. So, if you think you might get “senioritis” or whatever, take the easier class at your school.
I think chemistry, like physics, is very concept/math oriented, but the concepts are easier compared to physics. As for biology, I’m not very sure but I think it is probably less concepts/math and more memorization of stuff.