1. What Science Should I Take Next Year?

2. What are my choices? AP Chemistry Physics Biology AP Physics 1
AP Biology
On-level Physics
AP Environmental
Anatomy and Physiology

3. Should I take AP or On-level Physics?
What math will you be in next year?
PreCal or Calculus?
If you have at least an 85 average in pre-AP Chem, you should try AP Physics!
If you have a lower than 85 average in pre-AP Chem, On-level Physics is a good choice!
All other maths: On-level Physics is a good choice!

4. AP Chem or AP Physics…. How to decide?
What you are interesting in doing as a career (or studying in college)?
AP Chem if your answer is:
Medical field (doctors, nurses, pharmacy)
Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology
AP Physics if your answer is :
Engineering (especially civil, mechanical, electrical), Physics
Math

5. Should I take BOTH AP Chem and AP Physics?
You can! The courses complement each other, but the work load will be real. If you have a 95 or higher average in pre-AP Chem, this option might be for you.
Consider: how many total AP classes would you like to take next year?
Some students can handle 6 AP classes, but most juniors who sign up for that many AP classes end up dropping one or more due to tragic sleep deficit and inability to keep pace.

6. AP Chem Recruitment Propaganda: The Data
Last year, AP Chem students had a 95% pass rate.
Last year, 75% of AP Chem students earned a score of 4 or 5.
Compared to AP Physics and AP Bio, AP Chem historically has:
Higher class averages (great GPA boost!)
Higher AP passing rates (yay, college credit!)
Higher average AP scores (even more college credit)

7. But wait… can I handle AP Chem?
What is your yearly average (so far) in Pre-AP Chem?
95 – 100: Definitely!
90 – 95: Almost definitely!
85 – 90: The odds are in your favor!
80 – 85: It is possible, but the struggle will be real!
< 80: Let’s have a conversation! It’s all about work ethic.
Discuss work ethic.

8. If I have an A in Pre-AP Chem, will I be successful in AP Chem?
Not necessarily! It’s all about work ethic!!!
AP Chem is a challenge for everyone!
There will be homework EVERY NIGHT.
Labs are more complicated, and lab reports longer!
Tests are longer and faster! (Whee!)

9. Yay Science! There is no wrong choice.
If you take an AP class you don’t like, you can drop it!
If you don’t take a class next year, you can take it as a senior!
Wanna talk it over with me? Stop by before school one day, and we can talk through your options.