The APs I plan to take in the order of most desired to least:
-AP Japanese
-AP Calc BC
-AP Statistics*
-AP Lit
-AP Gov
-AP Economics
-AP Physics 1* (required, or can take regular)
*poor teacher reputation
I think I can handle this, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to drop a lot of my extracurriculars. Currently, I’m involved in about 5 academic clubs on a weekly/monthly basis and a fall and a spring sport. I’m also an officer for one of the clubs I’m involved in.
I am taking 5 this year (AP Calc AB, AP Lang, AP Environmental, AP Psychology, AP Biology) and they have been manageable for the most part because I am generally interested in all of them and science and math are my fortes. Unfortunately, I have been less involved in my extracurriculars this year, which I’m really sad about. I really want to make a comeback in my extracurriculars and participate fully in competitions if possible.
However, I’m really anxious about GPA, because I’m ranked 2 in my grade level and I wish to pursue top colleges. Should I overlook that in favor of focusing on college apps and pursuing my extracurricular interests senior year?
Any thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated!
[In case you are wondering, my school runs on a block schedule, so I can fit 8 courses, but courses are taught on alternating terms. (1/3, 2/4)]
-AP Japanese:
Are you taking the prerequisites of AP Japanese right now (Like Japanese 3)? If so, are you doing well or struggling? If you’re doing well, then you’ll be fine with AP Japanese.
-AP Calc BC
If Math and Science are your fortes, and you’re doing well in AP Calc AB, then it should be a breeze.
-AP Statistics*
Even with a poor teacher, AP Stats is something you can self-study. So if you have a good math background, and you have good supplemental materials, then you should be fine.
-AP Lit
Are you doing well in AP Lang right now? People who succeed in AP Lang usually (but not always) succeed in AP Lit.
-AP Gov
What’s the last history class you took? If you did well in history, you should be fine. AP Gov is less intense than other history APs such as WHAP or APUSH.
-AP Economics
If you do well in Math, and you can read, Econ shouldn’t be too hard. Which Econ, macro or micro? Just make sure you keep up with the reading.
-AP Physics 1* (required, or can take regular)
Does your school offer AP Physics C? If you are taking AP Calc right now, you should be able to handle AP Physics C. AP Physics 1 does not require calculus, so if you are good in math and science, you should be fine.
I took seven APs in sophomore year, and I somehow was able to manage it. You should be fine. Good luck!
Thank you for your comprehensive answer and reflection questions. I will definitely keep these in mind. And wow! That’s impressive. I can’t even phantom doing even four or five APs sophomore year.