Hello all! I’m a current junior in need of advice on courses. Before you ask, yes I have talked to my parents and academic advisor, but I still need some help. Next year, I’m for sure taking the following classes - AP Statistics, AP, English Literature and Composition, AP Research, dual credit/dual enrollment (DC) calculus, and theology (required at my school). Due to how my school does schedules, I have two remaining blocks. I plan to fill one with science and one with a form of government. When I told my academic advisor about my plan to take AP Chemistry or AP Biology (they only run one each year) she said that would be fabulous to have four years of science since I only did two years of foreign language. So I registered for AP Biology with an alternative of AP Biology. I decided four APs and a DC class were enough so I registered for my half a credit of government and decided to give myself a little break and take photography II.
As I get my list of classes at the end of the week, I’m really thinking about the choice I’m making. My one true passion is politics. I don’t know what I’m going major in, but I know I want to get my JD and possibly a Masters of Public Affairs after college. I know I would absolutely love taking AP Government and Politics (GoPo). One of the big hesitancies about taking AP GoPo is the teacher who teaches it is both relearning how to teach the revision of that, the revision of AP World History, and having a baby. I don’t know how effective a teacher can be when they have that much on their plate. Even with that being said, I think I would really enjoy the class. However, my parents (both really wanting me to go into STEM) think it would be better for me to take an AP science. They think it will also be better for me in case I decide to major in something related to science. I want to limit myself to 4 APs my senior year so I don’t have too much on my plate. Since I’m more passionate (and more knowledgeable) about government and politics, I would probably be most successful in that class. However, I also have enjoyed and done well in past science courses. If you can’t tell, I’m very indecisive on what to do. Should I take an AP science and just keep advance government? Should I take AP GoPo and just take an advanced science course? Thank you so much for all the input and advice! I really appreciate it. 
What schools are you aiming for, and what do they recommend in terms of both science and foreign language credits?
I’m planning to apply to Notre Dame, Villanova, Purdue, Indiana University, Loyola Chicago, and Saint Louis University. My number one choice is probably Notre Dame. ND recommends 2-3 units of science (depending on school) with 4 preferred. They recommend 2 units of foreign language with 3-4 preferred. At the rest of them, I believe its the typical 2 credits/4 semesters of foreign language and 2-3 unites/4-6 semesters of science.The only way I could really fit foreign language into my schedule is by dropping my science since government is required at my school.
Four years of science and math are important.
I think you should consider taking AP Government and Politics and reconsider AP STATS. Can you take Calc AB or BC AP? Is the DC Calc taught at your high school? If you have to go off campus for the DC class, that adds a lot of time to your day.
You need to consider that some government/polisci degrees require foreign language. Look at degree plans at possible universities and check for foreign language requirements. You could also consider public policy or polisci with a science double major.
I’m having a similar conversation with my DS20 about taking too many AP classes.
Clarification please. Will she be going out on maternity leave for part of next year or will she be returning from maternity leave in advance of the start of the next school year?
Two comments - my kids say that AP Research is just a ripoff, and that many colleges don’t accept AP Gov. Take the classes that have wonderful teachers, that you will enjoy and do well in. Remember, you don’t have to take ALL of college before you enter it!
My teacher will be taking paternity leave for part of next year in October. He only plans taking a week, but still having a new baby home and teaching two newly revised AP classes is a lot.
DC Calculus is offered by my school. I do have the option of taking AP Calculus, but I’ve really struggled in pre-calculus this year (got my first B on my transcript). Both my current math teacher, my academic advisor, and my parents highly suggested I take AP Stats. I plan on taking a science, just figuring out if I should take advanced or AP.
Shame on me for making a stereotypical judgement by assuming the teacher is a woman. That said, a week off is nothing in the grand scheme of things, and having kids (including a newborn) at home is hardly a unique experience.
In terms of the AP redesign, AP World, from a teacher perspective, is minimal. AP Gov is a bit more radical, but any experienced teacher should be able to adjust quickly.
Your decision is really inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Choose the better teacher or the one that has the highest percentage of 5’s on the exams or some other parameter of your choice. If all things are equal, personally I would choose the AP science since it is almost universally regarded as more rigorous that APUSG.