5 AP Classes senior year? (class of 2021)

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

At the moment, I’m only registered for 3 AP classes (computer science, stats, and gov.) but it’s possible for me to move around my schedule to fit in AP Physics and AP Studio Art.

I really do want to take more AP classes for the credit so I can save some money when going to college, but I’m not exactly sure just how much stress this would put on me. I know the AP’s I’m currently signed up for aren’t too difficult, but physics sounds terrible from the way some of my friends and classmates put it. Plus, I’m not much of a physics person but I do want to major in something STEM related (possibly computer science, nothing medical field related) so I feel like this class will help me out with that as well as increase admission chances into a more competitive university.

I only took 1 AP class my junior year, Biology. Which was incredibly difficult and quite stressful, but I managed to keep a B all year (save for the last quarter where I got an A+ only because we switched to online-- thanks covid) and I received a 4 on my exam.

Currently, my GPA is a 4.0 (weighted). I am extremely weak when it comes to EC’s, as I’ve only done volunteer work at my local Mosque on weekends every year and only started joining clubs my Junior year (key club, national art honor society, national spanish honor society). No sports, no musical talents.

However, this year I have a job and I don’t know how much that will get in the way. There’s also the issue of covid-19, and my school is doing a hybrid schedule-- meaning I’m only in school for 2 days of the week and online for the rest. Would that make things easier or harder?

I’m also unsure if it’s really worth adding on AP Art. I’m currently enrolled in Art II (which I would obviously get rid of if I take AP and replace it with a study) but I’m interested in AP because I love to draw. At the same time, my skills aren’t phenomenal or anything compared to what I’ve seen get 5’s on the exam so I’m not sure if I have the skill. Plus I don’t know how useful the class would be in terms of college/college admissions.

Sorry if this is a lot! I don’t know who to ask about this and I need to ask soon because school is starting in 3 days. Should I stick with 3 AP’s, take 5 AP’s, or 4 (and leave out art?)

2

Have you taken a year of physics before? Colleges like to see one year each of biology, chemistry, and physics. They don’t have to be at the AP level, but if you’re serious about CS, AP Physics would help you be a stronger candidate.

Admissions isn’t about the number of APs so adding art won’t do you much good as a CS applicant. Take it if you want to learn that subject, but not because you think it would tip the scales in admissions.

3

Nobody here an answer your question because we don’t know you or your skill set. Some students breeze by with 5 APs and others struggle with one.

One thing I will say is rethink AP Studio Art. Unless you have taken art outside if school , one year of art is generally not enough to do well in the class and unless you plan on attending a public university, AP credit for Studio Art is rare. From an admissions perspective, AP Studio Art vs Art II will make no difference.

Whether you should take physics depends on whether you have had any HS physics. Many top colleges want to see a year of bio/chem/physics.

4

Are you taking calculus honors or would you qualify for ap calculus AB? What grade did you get in precalculus?

Take ap physics. All STEM majors will require physics.

Dont take ap art. its a great class but very time consuming and youre better off focusing on your other APs.

What state do you live in? CS is one of the most competitive fields right now.

5

I haven’t taken it before, right now I’m enrolled to take honors physics so either way I’d be taking it. Thanks for replying!

6

Physics honors is ok. It actually covers more topics than AP physics, but much less in depth, so that you’d have a good overview before college courses.
Calculus is very important too.

7

I live in CT, and I’m actually taking Honors Pre-Calc this year so I won’t be taking calc until college

8

Ok, that’s good.
To increase your odds: Do very well in precalculus, physics, and ap cs (As) and well (B or higher) in English, AP Gov, Spanish.
Keep volunteering at your mosque and in HS clubs. If you can find a part time job, do that and save the money for college; it also counts as a good EC.
Apply for CS but also Information Technology at a variety of state universities in CT.
Run the NPC on each and every university and check with your parents what their budget is.
Your list could include UMaine Orono and USouthern Maine (will match instate tuition and have generous scholarships), Truman State, SUNY Plattsburgh, UMN Morris, and UMW (low OOS costs and good scholarships) plus a variety of private universities (Stevens, Champlain, Denison, RIT, RPI, Northeastern, URichmond, Marist, Connecticut College… – some of these are reaches but will have good financial aid).

9

Which AP Physics? C is out if you haven’t taken/are taking Calc and have no previous Physics.

Physics 1 AP vs. honors Physics wouldn’t be much of a difference, to be honest.

AP Studio Art only if you’re passionate about Art and have previous experience. It will likely do nothing for admissions or college credit.

10

My sons both majored in CS and both took Honors Physics as their only Physics in high school. One of the factors for them was that the Honors Physics teacher was a delight and every year made the class fun for his students. Neither of my sons liked their college Physics classes, which involved a lot of Calculus. I would lean toward advising you to stick with honors because you have not had Calculus yet.

The amount of college credit you get for AP classes varies tremendously between colleges, so be sure to check the AP credit charts for the colleges you think you will apply to.

11

Thank you so much, your advice is super helpful!

12

I’m a sophomore in high school and I am taking 4 AP classes. They are: AP Environmental Science, AP Computer Science Principles, AP US Government and Politics, and AP Seminar. I currently hold a 4.5 GPA. It is not as much work as expected and I do most of my work at school so I have plenty of free time at home to hang out with my friends and do all the things that students with no AP classes can do