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What are the requirements to take AP Biology?
I moved to a new school 2 years ago and they couldn't put me in advanced for sciences due to me being a new students. I really want to be in this class in 2 years and I'm taking normal biology right now. I'm not sure what I have to do since I'm not in advanced.
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Eridian’s Answer
Congrats on getting started in your new school! Usually, AP Biology has a pre-requisite of completing a regular or Honors Biology course with a passing grade (preferably an A or B).
Talk to your current Biology teacher and your school counselor since they may be able to provide guidance on enrolling in AP Bio at your school. Like someone else suggested in one of the previous comments, you may want to consider transferring from your current regular Bio course to Honors Bio but, if you are not able to do so, it may be helpful to look at free Bio courses online to help prepare you for the rigor of AP Bio.
Good luck!
Talk to your current Biology teacher and your school counselor since they may be able to provide guidance on enrolling in AP Bio at your school. Like someone else suggested in one of the previous comments, you may want to consider transferring from your current regular Bio course to Honors Bio but, if you are not able to do so, it may be helpful to look at free Bio courses online to help prepare you for the rigor of AP Bio.
Good luck!
Updated
Ashton’s Answer
Getting into AP courses requires that you have performed highly in the per-requisite course (an A or B+) and that your teacher in the per-requisite course agrees that you will do well in the AP course. It's much easier to go from Honors to AP rather than from regular to AP, but it is possible.
Talk to your teacher and counselor about being placed in Honors Biology instead of regular because you want to take AP Biology in your senior year. Use transcript from your previous school to help build a case that you're a high performer and should not be placed in regular classes. If you can't get into Honors Biology, then talk to your regular Biology teacher about going into Honors or AP Chemistry for your junior year.
In your last quarter of the school year, talk to your teacher again to re-enforce and remind them that you want to go into a Honors or AP class for the next school year.
Talk to your teacher and counselor about being placed in Honors Biology instead of regular because you want to take AP Biology in your senior year. Use transcript from your previous school to help build a case that you're a high performer and should not be placed in regular classes. If you can't get into Honors Biology, then talk to your regular Biology teacher about going into Honors or AP Chemistry for your junior year.
In your last quarter of the school year, talk to your teacher again to re-enforce and remind them that you want to go into a Honors or AP class for the next school year.
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
Get your all your grades out. Do you have all A's and a few B's?
I am confused by your statement that you are in normal Biology right now. School is out this week. Did you take an entire year of Biology already? What science class are you enrolled in next year? If you just did an entire year of Biology then your options are limited. In your Senior year you will not need to go to school the entire year if you passed all your classes. At that point you could take AP Biology as an extra class that you do not get credit for.
If you are enrolled in regular Biology next year and your report cards show all A's and B's you need to get the counselor's email address (go to the school's website or go to the main office and ask for it) and have your parents email them. They need to state your past grades and their assurance that they will help you or provide you help to pass this class and the AP exam. If you are not able to keep up with the class they will drop you from it.
I am confused by your statement that you are in normal Biology right now. School is out this week. Did you take an entire year of Biology already? What science class are you enrolled in next year? If you just did an entire year of Biology then your options are limited. In your Senior year you will not need to go to school the entire year if you passed all your classes. At that point you could take AP Biology as an extra class that you do not get credit for.
If you are enrolled in regular Biology next year and your report cards show all A's and B's you need to get the counselor's email address (go to the school's website or go to the main office and ask for it) and have your parents email them. They need to state your past grades and their assurance that they will help you or provide you help to pass this class and the AP exam. If you are not able to keep up with the class they will drop you from it.
Updated
Elisabeth’s Answer
If you are still getting nowhere with the high school Bio teacher or department, consider dual enrollment with your local community college!!
I would reach out to your career counselor to see if they have any existing agreements with the local CC for free or lower cost credits. Not only will you get the challenge you want (AP level) but you will also get college credits for a lab science. Additionally, the dual enrollment shows that you are driven and determined to learn Biology and the professors will notice that. This could be a great opportunity for you to get "your foot in the door" for advance level classes and a shot at a much-coveted internship.
If it turns out that Bio doesn't excite you as much as you thought, you should try to take a lot of interesting science classes until you find that spark. This is a pretty inexpensive and low risk way to find the right lab science for you.
I would reach out to your career counselor to see if they have any existing agreements with the local CC for free or lower cost credits. Not only will you get the challenge you want (AP level) but you will also get college credits for a lab science. Additionally, the dual enrollment shows that you are driven and determined to learn Biology and the professors will notice that. This could be a great opportunity for you to get "your foot in the door" for advance level classes and a shot at a much-coveted internship.
If it turns out that Bio doesn't excite you as much as you thought, you should try to take a lot of interesting science classes until you find that spark. This is a pretty inexpensive and low risk way to find the right lab science for you.