<p>Should I take AP Calculus AB and AP Physics C: Mechanics senior year? I'm planning on applying to a few Ivies and I'm sure the majority of applicants will have taken those classes (or probably higher level math). The problem is that math doesn't come too easily to me and I hear the students who do well in math struggle in AP Calculus (at least in my school). If I didn't take those classes, I'd probably be in AP Statistics and Honors Physics, which to me, would be more manageable. And, those classes would probably boost my GPA (which I could use after a pretty bad freshman year).</p>
<p>Also, should I drop foreign language senior year? Spanish in 7th and 8th grade are counted as Spanish 1, so freshmen take Spanish 2. Spanish 4 is taken junior year, being the 4th year of a foreign language. Still, guidance refuses to accept that Spanish 1 counts towards the recommended "4 years of a foreign language" and want me to take Spanish 5. If I did drop it, it'd be only to fit in another science class (probably Anatomy Honors or AP Chem) which requires a second block for labs.</p>
<p>I would definitely take the AP Calc AB and Spanish V. If you have Calculus going into college it will definitely be an asset. As for Spanish, I agree with your counselor. You should take four years of a language in high school whether you took some in middle school or not.</p>
<p>As to AP Physics C, I've heard that the class and AP test are quite hard (at least at my school, I'm maybe taking it next year too). I think this class is the most expendable because you would still be able to take Honors Physics, which is still an accelerated class. So I wouldn't take this one, unless you are planning on being an engineer or some other math/physics intensive thing.</p>
<p>Also, AP Physics C and Honors Physics are both taught by the same teacher (we have a small school). From experience, do teachers that teach the same class, just at different levels, teach the classes in a similar manner?</p>
<p>i think they do. teachers usually have a specific method that they find it easier to teach with. for example, teachers may be partial to lecture, powerpoints, group activities, labs, etc. in order to get the point across to their students. they would most likely use the same method for all class levels, though they may add other methods in for lower levels to be absolutely sure that the students in that class understand. the basic teaching style would still be the same though.</p>