<p>My son wants to take Geo Spatial Analysis which is available at his high school but taught somehow through JMU and you get JMU credit. His honors Physics teacher has said he should take Honors Physics. I think overall he is choosing too hard a load for next year:
AP English
AP Gov
AP Euro
AP Latin
AP Calc AB
Computer Science AB (used to be an AP course but there is no longer the AP exam)
plus whichever science. Now this is a smart kid, but not one who likes doing homework (in particular, homework that he deems as "busywork".</p>
<p>His GPA is only a 3.6 due to his lack of turning in homework (even As on test can't completely pull up 0s on homework)</p>
<p>So which science? And also, does he have any shot at W&M? He plans on going ED and is a double legacy from mom and dad plus his brother is there now</p>
<p>What I have read from W&M admissions on this board regarding which sciences are encouraged is take AP Physics. The caveat is "if you feel you will be successful’. His teacher is advising it so they see your student is capable. W&M wants the students considering applying to take the most rigorous courses they can be successful in.It makes sense… W&M is VERY rigorous.Just for comparison purposes…our S applied ED ,1 legacy,straight A student
Senior year-
AP ENG
AP Chem
H German
H Linear Algebra
AP Micro-Macro Econ
Junior year-
AP Calc BC
AP Physic C
H German
H Eng
AP US His
AP Computer Science
He did well his 1st semester atW&M but he did not get all A’s. Kinda shocked him
There are several good posters on this site.I hope they will lend you some insight also.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. I guess part of my confusion is regarding which is the most rigorous course. AP Physics has the AP title, exam and extra GP credit. The other gets college credit but doesn’t have the AP exam or extra GP credit. I have never thought it fair that the post AP courses don’t get extra GP credit, but that isn’t something I can control. To be candid, I don’t understand at all what “GeoSpatial Analysis” is!</p>
<p>We’re guessing but your moniker that your son goes to TJHSST. If that’s the case taking a post-AP course is just fine, especially give your son will have already taken a physics course. However, generally aren’t the post-AP courses at TJHSST more rigorous than the AP courses? Given the strong schedule you’ve proposed we’d certainly recommend he take whichever course will allow him to be the most successful overall.</p>
<p>Not turning in homework and having it impact one’s performance is not something that works to a student’s advantage but we consider a myriad of factors including rigor, grade trends, SAT scores, extracurricular activity, legacy status, etc. GPA is one factor among many and not the be all and end all of an application though it is an important consideration. Applying ED is definitely in your son’s advantage given the smaller pool so it’s easier for any student to stand out. And being a double legacy will certainly be a positive factor for him. Might he consider an on-campus interview this summer? If he’s personable that could also work to his advantage.</p>
<p>Are you referring to AP Physics B or AP Physics C? I would highly advice against taking AP Physics C without being in AP Calculus BC or beyond since AP Physics C is calculus-based and you simply don’t learn some of the necessary skills in AP Calculus AB.</p>
<p>I am not sure that your son attends TJHSST (I don’t think he does because he wouldn’t be allowed to take AP Physics C without being in BC calculus). However, as a senior at TJ myself who is currently taking AP Physics, it is important to note that the AP Physics course at TJ requires 8+ hours of homework every weekend.</p>
<p>Also, some of the most enjoyable classes that I have taken have been things that don’t have an “AP” in front of it. I took numerous non-AP courses such as Religious Studies, Optics, Astronomy: Solar System, and Astronomy: Universe and still managed to get into W&M Early Decision. Non-AP courses are generally more enjoyable for me as I’m not stuck with a teacher “teaching to the test.” Despite this, by the time I graduate I will have taken twelve AP exams.</p>
<p>Moral of the story: take Geospatial Awareness. It sounds like fun, and it’s not a crime if EVERY course isn’t AP.</p>
