In the process of course selections for my junior year. Should I take AP USH, or AP Comparative Government and Politics?
I’d rather take AP Comparative Gov’t tbh, but is one or the other more impressive? Furthermore, would anyone recommend AP Computer Science Principles, AP Biology? Thanks to anyone who answers, or shares stories of their experiences in these classes?
I think their level of impressiveness is quite similar. Take the one you are more interested in.
As to AP CS vs. AP Bio, I personally love biology and find the class super interesting, so that is my recommendation.
A Clemson admission officer told us that they want you to be you. So take what you are interested in and can do well in.
The difference is minimal. Take classes you are interested in and think you can do well in.
Ap comp gov is a half year class, what would you take during the other half? Ap US gov, micro econ…?
AP CS principles is good class to have.
AP Bio is very rigorous. Have you had Biology honors and chemistyr honors, and had a B+ or higher?
I’m going to go against AP CS Principles- I’ve actually had a chance to look the content through based on what’s collegeboard. It’s good in that it’s a class where people can build some more solid logic and preliminary understanding of coding, but it’s not as rigorous as AP CS. Also, I’m not super sure many colleges will give credit for AP Computer Science Principles- don’t trust me on this, but I think a lot will not.
Also, I feel it’d be better to take AP Bio or AP CS…but it depends on what you are interested in. What are you interested in studying in undergrad? Admission officers care about seeing rigorous courses related to your interests- it makes your application stronger, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect other areas. Take what aligns with your interests, but also make sure you create a balanced schedule- know how much you can handle and don’t add extra stress. AP Bio is a very heavy course due to the amount of material you have to work with.
Between AP CS principles and AP CS A:
Choose AP CS principles if: you want to get a general idea of what CS is about, but do not intend to major in CS, or you are unsure of whether you want to major in CS. Do not expect subject credit in college.
Choose AP CS A if: you are pretty sure that you want to major in CS and want to get a head start on Java programming and data structures. Subject credit in college depends on how the college’s lower level CS courses are structured; not all will have courses that AP CS A will match up well enough to substitute for.
Versus AP biology, it depends on whether you have already had regular biology, and whether you have a strong interest in biology.
at my school, AP comp gov is full year. Also, yes i have taken honors chem and bio with b+ and higher
Thanks for your advice. I have no interest in majoring in computer science, so I think I will pursue ap biology next year.
Additional question: Can anyone recommend/ share info about ap statistics? Im coming out of honors algebra 2 with a b average if that helps provide any context about my math ability.
CS principles is easier than AP bio - if workload is in consideration.
Take pre-calculus regular or pre-calculus honors.
AP stats could be a class you take senior year, or a complement for junior year. It’s very useful to take statistics in college, because it fits under 'relevant coursework ’ regardless of chosen major or internship field, so consider it a ‘preview’.
If you’re looking to get college credit, I’d say your chances are stronger with U.S. History over Comparative Government. If credit doesn’t matter as much to you, or if both will/will not confer credit at your choice colleges, take Comparative Government if that’s what speaks more to you! I can’t vouch for C.S., but some at my school consider Principles to be an “easy” A.P. class.
As for AP Bio, I learned more in the class than in any other class to date in high school. I’m not going into science, but I enjoyed the class and how much I learned. It is indeed rigorous, and the A.P. exam tends to be one of the more difficult ones. Again, if testing/credit is not important to you, take what speaks to you. If credit does matter, A.P. Bio is a reliable exam for credit purposes. Good luck!
I would take APUSH junior year and Comp Gov senior year. Many/most schools expect a year of US History. This, for example, is from the UC a-g list of requirements:
History/social science (“a”) – Two years, including one year of world history, cultures and historical geography and one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of American government or civics.
Core classes are valued more than “subcore” or specialized classes. What’s a core class? Well, that can depend on one’s high school, but in general: math, science, history, english. Showing mastery in a core class is usually more helpful. According to the ones you list, APUSH and AP Bio are more “core” than AP CS and AP Comp Gov. But this is a generalization. In a particular HS, a better teacher in a “subcore” class can make a huge difference in a student’s education, life, and perspective, let alone the far more utilitarian idea of letters of recommendation and GC letters.
So, as others have said, take the class that interests YOU the most. If nothing does, then take the class that interests COLLEGES the most. But before choosing the latter route (as so many students will, and so many parents will suggest), make sure you are honest about YOUR interests. Then go be you.
I love both classes (I am in both right now). Topic area wise, I prefer comparative to APUSH by a narrow margin.