AP Chemistry situation, help!

<p>Hi, I'm having a bit of a "crisis", and I'd appreciate any form of help I can get. My school has recently been switching the order in which the grade levels take the sciences, from freshman - physics, sophomores - biology, and juniors - chemistry, to sophomores - chemistry and juniors - biology. Therefore, the current junior grade is taking chemistry as before, but in an attempt to switch it, half the sophomores are taking chemistry, including me. When we were selecting courses for the next school year in January, they had an option for AP Chem for both current juniors and sophomores. I applied for that class because I'm extremely interested in chemistry and the science field. I was assured by my guidance counselor I'd get into the class. Now, they've found out that for some reason there aren't enough spaces (too many juniors signed up <em>grumble</em>), so all of us sophomores are not allowed to take it. </p>

<p>Of course, my mom is furious, claiming they're ruining my future, lalaladeeda. It's sort of true, actually. I mean, the fact that we're limited to 3 honors classes freshman year and can only take AP classes beginning with our junior year and even then there are only two offered two (AP US History or Gov. and some sort of science - in my case, chemistry). So, I feel like I've already been sufficiently handicapped. Now, I have to skip a year of chemistry, forget all the basics and then take AP Chem, and expect to do well?! And AP Biology my senior year?! I was hoping that AP Chem would help me with me SAT II subject test as well. And if I apply for college fall of my senior year, the admissions officers will only see that I took one AP course my junior year? That's ridiculous. I feel like I'm being so cheated, especially since this is only a problem this year and no other years will be affected. My mom is determined to fight for my right to be in that class, but I don't know if her efforts will be in vain. I'm sure that are tons of kids who aren't genuinely interested in AP Chemistry, but rather, want the words 'AP Chem' on their transcript. Perhaps some of them are less qualified than me, but they get precedence because they're juniors and next year is their last chance to take AP Chem. They're forcing me to choose an alternative, which include art classes or like honors physics, neither of which interested me a great deal. Well, I like art, but I don't plan on making it my career, and I was really looking forward to AP Chem. I think I could take Honors Anatomy and Physiology, but I'm not quite sure if I can without taking biology prior to that (I'm taking Honors Biology next year as well).</p>

<p>So, my question is, is there anything I can do? Am I basically at a dead end? If I am, how is this going to hurt my chances when I decide to apply for colleges? I'm so nervous and I just don't know what to do or what to expect! For anyone who reads this and responds, I thank you very much! It's greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>stop crying…and yeah just get get mommy to keep complaining. if you go to a public school you will be able to get in.</p>

<p>Also, try to get on the wait list (if it exists) in case any of the students drop it.</p>

<p>Why don’t you just go take chemistry at a college in the evenings or something?</p>

<p>That won’t hinder college apps; they look at what you’re allowed to take, so if you school won’t let you take it then it won’t negatively affect you. Also, I wouldn’t call that a crisis. Scheduling problems happen to everybody.</p>

<p>If you really like chemistry go take it at a local community college.</p>

<p>By the way, I took honors chem sophomore year, didn’t take any chem this year, and am going to take IB Chem next year. I’m not worried about not doing well.</p>

<p>I honestly wouldn’t sweat it … all applications require your school counselor to fill out a school information form (which basically summarizes what courses the school offers/school policies/whether your schedule is rigorous according to YOUR school’s standards).</p>

<p>Just make sure that when application time rolls around, you talk to your counselor about this and stress that you did apply for AP Chem but weren’t able to get the class.</p>

<p>“limited to 3 honors classes freshman year and can only take AP classes beginning with our junior year”</p>

<p>that was always true at our school.</p>

<p>plus, colleges will understand that your school has limited number of classes.</p>

<p>“Now, I have to skip a year of chemistry, forget all the basics and then take AP Chem, and expect to do well?!”
don’t underscore what a year of chem before AP can do for you. this is the way that my school does it (required 1 year of general chem, usually soph year, before the chance for AP chem as jr or sr) and i think it works really well, especially considering how broad the curriculum for AP chem is.
and in case you were wondering, i got a 5 on the exam</p>