Hi, there!
I would like to pursue a STEM or business/economics major in college, so my courses have emphasized math and science. I am a sophomore and I have only taken regular English and history courses for two years. (No Honors or APs)
For junior year, I plan to take:
Honors Precalculus
AP Physics 1
AP Psychology
Journalism (School Newspaper) - Elective
Biology Research - Elective
I will not have lunch this year and I was wondering if I should take AP Lang or APUSH? Would taking BOTH be an overload with the classes I am already taking? I’m not the strongest in the humanities, but I know English is an important skill for life. At my school, most people take APUSH.
I’m thinking about taking one because I don’t want to take too many rigorous courses. However, I have not taken AP/Honors in either subjects and my guidance counselor recommended I take both. Any advice if both are too much or which one I should take?
Thanks!
How well have you done in previous English and history courses, and did you like them?
Hi @ucbalumnus ! The English and history classes I have taken are pretty easy and I manage to score 95+ on both. History is pretty interesting, but English has been a bit easier. I’m concerned that a jump from regular to AP in both may be too much, but I don’t know what the two classes are like.
What do your current history and English teachers recommend?
I am currently a “STEM-y” junior and am in both classes, so hopefully I can help you out with this. Granted, however, I do not go to your school so the best advice would come from upperclassmen at your school who have taken these classes and can give you insight into the teachers, workload, etc. Taking both with the rest of your courseload is possible, but it may or may not be the best option for you. Also, if getting a high score on the AP exams are important to you, you should ask your GC what students typically get on them.
At my school, APUSH is a total grind (most tests are 3 chapters, must turn in notes for all of them, frequent projects, etc) so it takes up a lot of time and course grades are not what most students are accustomed to. Unless you’re really “into” history, I’d say that you should invest your time elsewhere. However, you did say that most students at your school take this one, so my guess is that it isn’t nearly as much work as around here. You’ll really have to find out what to expect.
AP Lang is pretty laid-back at my school, but I’ve learned a lot so far and my writing skills have improved tremendously. You’re right that reading and writing are important life skills and are valued by all colleges, regardless of major. The AP exam emphasizes timed writing quite a bit, which some students aren’t accustomed to and struggle with at the beginning.
Just for the record, I think this is a terrible idea. You should not let academics negatively impact your health and you need some time during the day to be social.
If I had to pick between the two, I would say AP Language. It can really help with prepping for the ACT/SAT.
Not to derail the thread but why are you taking AP Psych, that’s a social science course and not really needed for STEM, unless is something of interest to you. The other question, is can you drop down to the the standard or college prep class if you start struggling in either of the AP classes? You can’t in some schools, so if you can, I’d recommend taking both APs and dropping Psych since your GC and teachers recommended it. As someone posted above, you have to ask the upperclassmen which class is harder and has more assigned work. Typically, APUSH is a huge time sink, as was also noted. Lot will also depend on the colleges you’re applying to, most colleges will not need to see a ton of APs. Good luck.
I have to agree with @theloniusmonk - take both (assuming you GC and teachers agree) and rearrange your schedule to balance workload/rigor, if needed. AP Psych, as an elective, can be pushed off to senior year if you really want the class. AP Lang will make you a better writer, which is a life skill, but more importantly, invaluable for when you write college apps.
I agree with #6 and #7. No reason to take AP Psych. Replace it with APUSH and/or AP Lang. In terms of difficulty, I don’t know that there is much difference between APUSH and AP Lang. I think it comes down to individual aptitude and who is teaching the classes.
@TheBigChef @skieurope @theloniusmonk
Thanks everyone! I wanted to take AP Psych because the upperclassmen said its a really interesting course and if I take it in 11th grade I can take Post-AP Psych Senior year. I think I will end up replacing AP Psych with a regular elective and take AP Lang and APUSH because they seem more useful.
Are you taking a foreign language or have you reached level 3 or 4 already?
AP Lang is a very useful class, what you learn transfers to all other subjects because being a good writer and an efficient, analytical reader is useful for all subjects.
Choose between your three non core classes (journalism, biology, psychology).
DO take lunch. Your growing body will thank you. 
Agree about AP psych-- especially because it looks like you’re thinking of shorting the history and English rigor for it. You dont need post-AP psych. Take it in college. You do need the right number of years of the core SS snd English and foreign language.
Side note. This is what happens when some keep telling kids to just pursue their own interests. Something core gets booted aside.
@MYOS1634 Thanks! I’m taking level 3 now and I am going to drop it next year
I take both classes currently (I’m a junior too). AP Lang is not too bad-there is a lot of work involved but it is doable. It also really helped me with increasing my sat score. APUSH, however is very difficult for me, and I am even a history person. Only 2 people out of 150 have As in APUSH, mainly because the tests are very difficult at my school.