Scheduling is coming up for current sophomores, which means I need to figure out what classes I want to take. I have heard that to be competitive for UW (my top choice college) I should take about 3-5 AP classes. The classes I would take next year that are AP are APUSH, AP Seminar, AP Stats, and AP Physics (I don’t know what type of physics it is) my other classes would be French 2, Pre Clalc, and either anatomy or a free period if aincan get one (I plan on taking zero period APUSH) I took two APs this year (Euro and Lang) and my grades were a little lower than freshman year, but not drastically lower (3.6 GPA verse a 3.8). If anyone has any experience with a schedule like this, your input would be appreciated.
It’s probably AP Physics C. I don’t recommend taking AP Physics C until you’ve taken an AP Calc class. I’m in Advanced Physics this year (AP Physics 1) which is non calculus based, but having calc under my belt helped. My friends who haven’t taken calc have lower grades, just because Pre Calc doesn’t cover all. I would say try to take 3, but you seem like the type of person who can handle 4.
It is usually a mistake to overload your schedule since colleges pay attention first and foremost to your GPA. See the attached article where the MIT admissions counselor encouraged his daughter to focus only on certain AP’s based on interests. Good luck! http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2016/03/17/advice-college-admissions-officers-give-their-own-kids/?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone&_r=0&referer=http://m.facebook.com
Speak to other students who have taken these classes and see how they find them. I would not advise anyone to take 4 AP classes in a single year though.