AP chemistry VS AP biology
Our son took physics 1 honors as a freshman and is currently taking chemistry honors.
He is debating what science class he has to take next year between AP Chemistry vs AP Biology.
He wants to take AP bio in junior and AP chemistry in senior year. I feel that taking AP Chemistry makes more sense since it is sequential as he is taking chemistry honors now.
However, our son thinks taking AP bio in junior year makes more sense since AP biology tends to be relatively 'easier' than AP chemistry for most kids and his next year classes are rigorous.
His classes for next year are as following:
AP Engligh
AP Cal BC
AP American History
AP Seminar
Choir
AP Chemistry or AP Biology.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or inputs on this!
Thank you!
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3 answers
Have you talked to his school counselor about which one he should take first? Both @ReaganDrew100102 and @stressedjunior make good points. If your son is planning on taking both classes regardless it sounds like it might just be whatever he prefers more. Either an easier junior year with AP bio or an easier time remembering info with AP chem.
I guess if this was my decision I would take to the teachers from each class first to get their opinions along with my school counselor. Sorry if this wasn't too helpful
I actually had a very similar schedule to your son my junior year of high school (last year) and I would highly recommend he take AP Biology Junior year and AP Chemistry Senior year. I know this is out of sequential order and it may seem like a daunting task to skip a year between honors chemistry and advanced placement, but I promise with the right work ethic and passion for the subject he will be perfectly fine. My junior year I took AP English, AP US History, AP Research, AP Psychology and AP Music theory. Now I am in my senior year taking AP Micro/Macro Economics, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP European History and AP Literature. I would tend to agree with your son that AP Biology is substantially easier than AP Chemistry, but it honestly depends on the person. I love math and the practical applications of Chemistry so that course has been a lot more enjoyable for me than AP Biology. Junior year is tough enough already, kids have to study for the SAT/ACT, make straight As (depending on the colleges you're applying to) and generally work their butts off to study for intense AP Exams at the end of the year. Not even to mention the countless extracurricular activities to handle. AP Biology is a good option for a Junior year science class; it hasn't required a strenuous amount of homework for me personally and has proved both enjoyable and rewarding. Good luck to your son with whatever decision he makes!
I would recommend taking AP Chemistry right after you take Honors Chemistry. That is what I did and it helped me a lot.
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Thank you so much for your response!
Wish you the very best with your college decision!