<p>OOPS, SORRY, IT'S SAME AS THE ONE BELOW. IT'S POSED TWICE FOR SOME REASON.</p>
<p>Hi, I am a sophomore, and I’m aiming for Ivy League schools just like many of you out there. My course selection for next year is due pretty soon, and I have a few questions regarding my courses next year. I would really appreciate it if anybody can help me out.</p>
<p>1) AP Lit vs. AP Lang
Given the choices of AP Lit and AP Lang, which one should I take first in my junior year? I’m planning to take SAT II Lit by the end of my junior year, and I’m wondering which course will better prepare me for the test. I want to maintain a good grade, but I’ve also heard that it’s better to take tougher courses in my junior year. What’s the difference between difficulties of the two? Which one do you guys recommend I should take first?
2) 2 years of journalism class in which Editor-in-chief does not exist vs. 2 more AP courses
I think the sub-title is pretty self-explanatory. In our school’s journalism class, Editor-in-chief does not exist, but an editorial board consisting of a few members does exist. (One can be in the board if he/she takes the course in 11th grade AND 12th grade). If I choose not to take journalism class, I’ll have 5 APs per year (which is kind of scary, but I think I can manage them by getting myself to be determined enough).</p>
<p>The following is my schedule for the two years:</p>
<p>11TH GRADE
AP Lit/Lang
AP Calc BC
AP Bio
AP Econ
AP Psych/Journalism
Orchestra
Chinese</p>
<p>12TH GRADE
AP Lit/Lang
AP Stats
AP Physics
AP Comp Sci
AP ?/IB Further Math/Journalism
Orchestra
Chinese</p>
<p>Just to help with your judgment, I took AP Chinese in 9th grade and received a 5, and I’m currently taking AP US History. I’m planning to take AP Music Theory in 11th grade as well. Wharton is my dream school.</p>
<p>I know very, very well that number of AP courses I take is not the only factor in college admissions, but it’s getting more competitive than ever, especially for international applicants. It would be much appreciated if anyone can render me some help. Thanks.</p>
<p>ap lit and lang courses really vary school to school because they are really just gearing you up for an analytically based exam, so in that respect its hard to know what to recommend you. at my school they only offer language to juniors and literature to seniors, which is the course of study that I followed. I think language is good to take first because it places a focus on the writing process and development, and at our school it was extremely reading intensive (we read more than 30 books last year). In ap literature this year we read fewer books but in much greater depth, and we write more papers, but they tend to be much more concise and focused. i think you'll be okay whichever order you take them in, but personally i would recommend language first</p>
<p>Thanks so much.
Can anyone please help me with the second question? <:(</p>
<p>Do you want to take journalism? Is it something that interests you greatly and that you'd be willing to take seriously for 2 years?</p>
<p>If not, take the AP classes.</p>
<p>I'd take AP Lang</p>
<p>it helps a lot with writing, though at my school it wasn't reading intensive at all. Just extremely writing intensive with a couple essays a week.</p>
<p>I took the AP Language course last year, and am now taking the AP Literature course. The difference between the two is absolutely minimal, and it varies from school to school. However, AP Literature, based on the fact that it generally entails more reading, would probably be your best choice for junior year to prepare for the SAT II. But again, consult juniors/seniors as to which AP is more difficult, and take that one junior year.</p>
<p>As for your second question, ignore journalism and take more APs. Take as many APs as possible. Their difficulty is overrated (at least at my school), and unless you have a lot of other obligations, max out.</p>
<p>I vote for Lang. I feel that Lit is a slightly easier exam, so Lang would prepare your better for the SAT II. But what's more important is the quality of teacher for Lang and Lit. If it's not the same teacher, talk to some people and figure out which teacher is better and take his\her class first.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, I'll ask the AP English teachers about the rigor of the two. </p>
<p>Quite frankly, I'm more concerned about Journalism vs. APs issue. :( Any more opinions? Ahh, I know that I have to decide for myself, but it is hard.</p>
<p>Have a nice week! :)</p>