<p>I will be a senior next year, and I'm trying to work out exactly what classes I'll be taking. We already did the actual registration process, but we can make changes. For some background info, I am currently taking AP Biology, and I want to be a doctor.
I can take up to 6 classes next year. I have to take AP Literature, AP Government, AP Econ, and AP Calc. I'm taking Speech and Debate class, but I'm required to take it for the team. The 6th class is the one that I'm really not sure about. My options are either Anatomy, or AP Spanish. Anatomy is supposed to be a really fun class, with animal dissections, job shadowing, and other labs that are supposed to be helpful to future doctors and nurses. However, I would not have a weighted grade, since it's not an AP Class. Even though the class is designed for future doctors and nurses, a lot of people take it who aren't really serious, and end up being really obnoxious. After 3 years of being a year ahead in science, I'm afraid that I might fall into a bad habit of "taking it easy", because the class is supposedly a LOT easier than I'm used to. On the other hand, I would enjoy the projects and job shadowing, and I probably should have 4 years of science, since I want to be a doctor and major in a science in college.
As for AP Spanish, I want to be bilingual. There's also the benefits of having a fifth AP class, and being able to have a 4.8 GPA. AP Spanish is only offered if enough people sign-up, but it sounds like there actually might have been enough people this year. But since the number of people is on the borderline of being offered, I'm afraid that if I were to drop it, there would not be enough people. AP Spanish is what I'm currently signed up for.
I can take a college class at the local community college, but that might not be possible because of the wonderful California budget cuts. I could not take the equivalent of Anatomy there, because it does not work in with my schedule. Instead, I would take a very basic neuroscience class, which sounds interesting. I could also take the equivalent of AP Spanish there, but then my GPA would be lower.
Basically, should I take AP Spanish, or Anatomy next year? I'm talking to my counselor about it sometime soon, but I wanted other opinions.</p>
<p>Can you take another AP science class? AP Environmental or AP Physics B or C perhaps? If not, I’d go with AP Spanish.</p>
<p>Personally, I’d recommend anatomy, it’s such an all around beneficial and fun course. And don’t worry about your transcript - taking a non-AP course in the subject you wish to focus on will contribute just as much as an AP course elsewhere.</p>
<p>HobbitTon: AP Environmental is the only other AP science class, but I can’t go on the required field trips.
RyanMK: Even if it would lower my class rank?</p>
<p>Well, I can’t imagine not taking one AP course would lower your rank THAT much. Although, if it does, I guess it would be something else you have to take into consideration. Just don’t be too caught up in “class rank” to consider dropping a few spots, especially if you’re already at or near the top.</p>