<p>As I junior I currently take AP Hist, AP Span, AP Calc, AP Chem. As I senior, I was planning on taking AP Psyche, AP Euro Hist, AP Lit, AP Span but, a scheduling conflict prevents me from taking both AP Psych and AP Span so I am taking Honors Civil War instead of AP Psyche. This means that I would have 4 APs in my junior year and 3 in my senior year. However, if I really wanted to take 4 APs in my senior year there is one option available and that would be to take AP Physics. I am very reluctant to take this class because in my school, no one ver seems to get an A in that course - its highly demanding and probably the mos difficult class in my school. I, personally, don't think I would do well in that course if I took it, so would it be wise of me to stick with my gut and just take 3 APs or risk 4 with physics? I am looking at applying to decent to excellent colleges. Thanks.</p>
<p>Don't take Physics. It'll make you miserable and lower your grades. Besides, your counselor can mention in the recommendation that you wanted to take AP Psych but weren't able to because of scheduling conflicts.</p>
<p>er, psych*</p>
<p>AP Physics isn't something you just decide to take on a whim, it's a beast of a class (I wouldn't do it)!</p>
<p>No college will freak out because you had a scheduling conflict that kept you from taking one more AP class (no college will care about that last AP class anyway, scheduling conflict or no--one AP class does not a schedule make or break). Plus, to be frank, while I'm sure it is a fine class, AP Psych isn't what I would consider to be a "bread and butter" AP class (like Calc, Eng, US/Euro), so to me it is even less of a deal that you won't end up taking it. Honors Civil War sounds like a comparable level of difficulty to me. You will have already taken an AP Science course, so that aspect doesn't worry me either. Bottom line: Make sure the scheduling conflict is explained on your app, and don't worry about it beyond that.</p>
<p>AP Physics B and AP Physics C are both difficult courses, and they may lead to lower grades. However, they are some of the hardest AP classes you can take. I think you should just risk it and go ahead. After all, it says that you're willing to give something challenging a try. They do understand that it is significantly harder than a lot of other courses.</p>
<p>Remember - a slight hitch in the grade does not mean much to them if the course is difficult. It's sort of like getting an A in a regular class vs getting a B in an honors class.</p>
<p>Well, in light of my initial post tell me if the following schedule looks too easy or decent for say, Cornell, Penn, Amherst. This is most likely what I will end up taking as a senior:</p>
<p>AP Euro Hist
AP Lit
AP Spanish V
Hrs. Civil War / Hrs. American Presidency
Constitutional Law
Marine Biology</p>
<p>Anyone have an opinion on the last post?</p>
<p>rishibhai, you should self-study for 2 more APs. That's what I'm doing this year actually.</p>
<p>^ No rishibhai you should not self study for two more AP's. People on this site are really obsessed with having a milion AP's, but I say do the 3 you have listed and keep yourself sane. Besides a college wouldn't see the two you've self studied for until after you're accepted.</p>
<p>what about my schedul?
a.p bio
a.p composition english
a.p micro
a.p calc ab
linear algebra
comp tech
intel projects
politcial affairs at a local college</p>
<p>Well...in total, I'll have 7 AP courses (school offers 12 - can't take comp sci or music theory. no senior has ever taken AP Bio and passed. obviously can't take another language AP, psyche is a scheduling conflict as mentioned, and forget about physics), which is more than anyone in my class, save one person (who will have 8 and also will have gotten 2 Cs). The only thing I'm worried about is that I'm the only student who is actually taking less APs in his senior year at my school. The others are jumping from 2 to 6 or 3 to 7. I hope colleges only look at the overall academic course selection and not just that of an individual year.</p>
<p>And, about your advice for keeping sane...that's probably the one idea that has motiavted me not to take AP Physics. Presently, I suffer from insomnia - something that I have never had in my entire life before I got involved with this AP stuff. Personally, my health is quite a bit more important that which college I go to, and I have to make the observation that those who stress themselves with excessive AP courses are probably going to end up having chronic health problems later in their lives. I mean, is it really worth it?</p>
<p>^^Oh, goodness. Definitely be careful--I am sure I sound like a worried mother, but your health is the only thing you really have! You should be especially careful not to overtax yourself--it sounds like you have good instincts about what you feel you can handle, and definitely stick with these instincts. </p>
<p>Again, this AP thing is not a big deal, especially when it is explained well. Make sure that a (well-written, non-whiny) explanation gets into your app in some way, and don't worry about it anymore (and get some sleep!!).</p>