AP Biology or Anatomy/Physiology to get into UCLA and NYU

[kirstiearrincon]

Hello all! I am 17 and nearing the end of my junior year. However, I cannot decide whether I want to take AP Biology or Anatomy/Physiology. I am a fairly good student, having maintained a 4.25+ GPA the past three years, along with many honors and AP classes. I do plan on applying to selective schools such as UCLA and NYU. I feel as if Anatomy would benefit me greater in nursing school, but AP Bio might look better on a transcript. I would like to be admitted into a 4-year BSN program that admits freshmen into their nursing school, rather than have to apply again my sophomore year.

I have also been given the opportunity to take a CNA class in the fall through an after school program (which I will obviously take!). The class results in a hospital internship in which we get to shadow a nurse for 8 weeks and the eligibility to become a Certified Nurses Assistant. I am also taking AP English 4 and AP Statistics next year, among other classes, as well as being editor for yearbook and volunteering at the local Boys and Girls Club (which I have been doing since my freshman year). I was also selected as delegate for my school to a state leadership conference this summer at Claremont McKenna College.

Do you think I need to take AP Bio to be admitted to these slective schools, or any 4-year nursing program for that matter, or is my course load enough already? I do not want to spread myself too thin, but I also really want to get into UCLA. Thank you!

[caliotter3]

Sounds as if you've got a good headstart on admission as it is. The AP Bio at this point would probably be more useful in terms of getting AP credit (GPA-wise) and/or advanced placement in college. If you had room in your schedule, it would be nice to take both, but there is plenty of time once you get into college to take these courses as they are prerequisites to nursing school anyway (anatomy/physiology//biology may/may not be a prereq to the anat/phys courses) and normally high school level courses are not accepted for nursing school admission. Admission at the freshman level is not common anymore, you will have to look for programs that offer that. You are really placing yourself at the head of the pack by getting the CNA certificate in addition to your academic accomplishments. Do not think you will have much to be concerned with as it looks like you would be a viable candidate for any prenursing program.

[kirstiearrincon]

Thank you! I have already done research and know of 13 schools that admit freshman to their nursing programs that I will be applying to. I also plan on applying to a few that don't, just in case I am not accepted into any of the 13.