<p>I just received the horrible news that AP English is only offered during the same period as my honors chorus class. I have been in chorus the past three years, I was selected as a section leader this year, and I have already asked the teacher to write a recommendation for me (in addition to two science teachers). If I choose English, I won't have the chance to be section leader, and I am worried that the teacher will not want to write a recommendation any more, which is tragic because I'm sure he would write an excellent one. I also really enjoy chorus. However, I am concerned that colleges wouldn't like that I took AP English last year and stepped down to honors this year. I also have a shot at salutatorian if I take AP English. I am planning to apply to Duke as my top choice, and I will probably apply to some Ivy League schools as well. What do you guys think is the better option? Are colleges more interested in the continuity of sticking with chorus all 8 semesters and having a leadership role, or do they just want to see as many AP classes as possible? Without AP English I will still be taking 4 AP courses, but I would really love to have 5.</p>
<p>Were you planning to prepare and submit a music supplement? And are your music skills at a level that are likely to stand out in such a supplement? Do you sing exclusively in the context of your choral class? Have you performed with other choruses in your community?</p>
<p>If you are not planning to submit a music supplement and if your choral involvement is exclusively with the chorus then what matters most is the possible leadership position with the chorus – i.e. section lead. That will count a bit in your college application.</p>
<p>If you are planning to submit a music supplement then sticking with the chorus and getting a reference from the director is likely to help your application a bit.</p>
<p>As regard AP English vs. Honor English, I don’t quite understand the difference in your high school. Wouldn’t most students take AP English once and then take the AP exam? If you haven’t taken the AP Exam can’t you take it anytime regardless of whether the class is branded “AP” or “Honors”? My sense is that someone looking at your transcript wouldn’t think twice about Ap vs Honors. What will register for them is that you’re taking another year of English, and that you’ve taken the AP English exam (or not).</p>
<p>Being ranked “second” in your class will count a bit in your college application. But I doubt that it will count any more than if you’re third or fourth.</p>
<p>Sarah</p>
<p>Talk to your GC – If chorus has been a major interest of yours, and assuming your GC can write that the only reason you didn’t take AP Eng was that it conflicted with Chorus, I’d probably recommend keeping Chorus.</p>
<p>It’s your senior year of high school. Pick whichever class you would enjoy most.</p>
<p>There is no guarantee that Duke will accept you regardless of which class you will take. Don’t base your decision on they might or might not think is important.</p>
<p>I know it is a tired admonition, but it applies to your question, “Follow your passions.”</p>
<p>What did you get in AP English your junior year? You also don’t want to go to AP English 4 and have a significant grade drop, especially if you’re applying for regular decision and colleges will most likely see first semester grades upon reviewing your transcript. </p>
<p>Talk to your GC. Are you interested in pursuing something English related in college, or musical? If you’re going for choral or musical studies, then definitely go for chorus. If you’re leaning into journalism/communications, go with English.</p>
<p>But I kind of agree with rmldad. If chorus is your passion, it might not be a bad idea.</p>