I have one son applying to A&M and several other good engineering schools. He's choosing his senior year courses now. I have two questions as we choose the final year classes...

MATH:
He's had AP Pre Calculus this year
Senior year he's taking AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics

I assume that's more than enough math?

SCIENCE & ENGINEERING:
He's had Principles of Engineering Design and Honors Engineering Design as a freshman & sophomore
He's had AP Physics this year and Pre AP Chemistry as a sophomore.
Senior year he's taking Senior Capstone Engineering and one final science class.

He can take AP Biology or AP Chemistry as a senior. He's concerned AP Chemistry will ding his GPA and is a lot to take on in addition to AP Calculus BC. I told him engineering schools would rather see AP Chemistry. Is that right? How bad is AP Chemistry? He hated Pre AP Chemistry but still got a 95 each semester.

I have a senior and a freshman at A&M. To prepare for engineering they took Calc BC, Physics 1 and 2, Chem ,Statistics, and Computer Science. Those were all AP classes. If your kid hasn't taken computer science I would definitely recommend it because they will need to know Python for freshman classes. We also had kids do Chem AP senior year because otherwise they hadn't seen Chemistry since 10th grade. And I am glad they took it because they both made a 100 in the course at A&M so it took stress off for that class.

Good feedback. Yes he has taken two comp sci classes plus a python class during the summer.

Are you asking if schools would rather see AP chemistry than AP BC calculus?

I wouldn't waste your time with AP Stats. It's not considered a rigorous course, and they're special circumstances where I would recommend a student taking it.

I would take the following.

- AP Calc BC
- AP Physics C (calculus-based.
- AP Chemistry

That's a strong, rigorous load that will more than prepare him for any freshman year engineering program.

Also, do not take AP Physics II if you're pursuing engineering. That's the algebra based physics course.

Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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Are you asking if schools would rather see AP chemistry than AP BC calculus?

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Ap chem vs ap bilogy is the choice at hand.

If you can't take Physics C I would still recommend Physics 2. And I still feel like Stats is a good one. I know at A&M there was a class 2nd semester of freshman year that used statistics a little bit and my senior was glad he had seen the concepts before since this was before he went through ETAM. I think his sophomore year of engineering he also had to take a Stats class so one more class that was easy because he had seen the material before so it helps to lighten the engineering course load.

And definitely Chem AP vs Biology AP.

double b said:

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I wouldn't waste your time with AP Stats. It's not considered a rigorous course, and they're special circumstances where I would recommend a student taking it.

I would take the following.

- AP Calc BC
- AP Physics C (calculus-based.
- AP Chemistry

That's a strong, rigorous load that will more than prepare him for any freshman year engineering program.

Also, do not take AP Physics II if you're pursuing engineering. That's the algebra based physics course.

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This. Taking Physics C Mechanics and E&M were very tough for my son but they paid huge dividends. If your school offers them and he doesn't take it that's a ding potentially as well. GPA Senior year also is almost irrelevant unless your grades drop off significantly, most grades will already be based on your Junior year for applications and they are looking to make sure you are pushing yourself.

Yes, unless the set of colleges you're applying to ask for a midyear academic report, grades for the senior year don't matter as much. ACs are mostly reviewing your transcript to see that you're challenging yourself with the most rigorous course load available.

If not interested in Biological & Ag Engineering or Bio Engineering then the Chemistry over the Biology.

If more interested in the Bio engineering majors or has ideas of medical related grad school then Biology.

Buck Turgidson said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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Are you asking if schools would rather see AP chemistry than AP BC calculus?

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Ap chem vs ap bilogy is the choice at hand.

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I'd say chemistry for sure. Way more engineering majors at A&M require a chemistry class than biology class, so it's much more likely to be redeemable as a credit. If I had to guess I'd say every engineering major requires chemistry, I just don't know for sure.

Has he had AP English or Literature?

Best thing I did was pass those AP exams in high school some didn't have to take them in college.

See if your choice e schools will give credit for it.

Buck Turgidson said:

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Aggie_Boomin 21 said:

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Are you asking if schools would rather see AP chemistry than AP BC calculus?

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Ap chem vs ap bilogy is the choice at hand.

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Take AP Chem for engineering. AP bio is really only something to consider if your son is going into a bio related field. AP chem, AP Calculus, and AP physics (calc based) are the way to go.