AP Physics
AP US History
AP Language
AP Statistics
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry
Is it feasible to take these 6 ap classes in my junior year? None of these are self study, all of these are classes.
Not in my opinion. Why do you want to take 6 APs?
I think it is better to back off 1 or 2 APs and get involved with an extracurricular activity or community service. At our school, Physics, APUSH, and Chemistry are all very time intensive.
If I take 6 AP classes next year, I’ll be able to get the AP National Scholar Award (assuming I get 4 or above on them). I’m already taking 2 this year. Also, class rank is based on weighted average so this will help me do well on that aspect.
I completely understand and commend your forward thinking. I would discuss this with your college or guidance counselor who knows the AP teachers and could advise you of their difficulty.
Have you taken calculus? The advanced science APs need it. Also, I am sorry to have to tell you, but NOBODY CARES about those AP Scholar things.
I agree.
Is it possible to do 6 APs? Yes. Is it the best use of your time? Maybe not. Part of it depends on the colleges you are targeting, but even then, it is unlikely that any college, from an admissions perspective, will be impressed with an application solely based upon APs; it’s not an arms race where the one with the most wins.
Also, you don’t list what your other courses are, but you seem to be lacking in a foreign language, and AP Stats should only be an option if you will have completed calc by the time you graduate.
Note that the metrics on this won’t work if your grades tank as a result of overextending on APs.
As a senior who is taking 6 APs + 1 IB HL + 1 honors class I can certify that this is a terrible idea!!! Five AP classes is plenty rigorous enough. Leave something for senior year! (and when you get to senior year don’t be stupid and take so many classes like I did :))). AP Chem & AP Physics at the same time is not a very good idea. I say drop physics, take that as a senior.
I’m taking 6 Ap classes, two are only 1 semester long. They’re not bad. My advice is thst you won’t be up all night if you know how to spend your time. For APUSH, I don’t spend hours reading and taking notes; I just watch youtube videos. Ap Physics I just use khan academy. For AP Lang, I just sparknoted all the novels. If you do all the work for each class one hundred percent with full effort, you’ll definitely be swamped. Easy yet good teachers will definitely help.
If I were you, Id drop one of your sciences and take it senior year. AP Chem and AP bio seem to go together well if you want to do that senior you. Also, take calc bc before you graduate.
It will make your life very difficult for no reason (no one cares about that AP scholar thing and college admissions will likely think “hubris” or “AP robot” rather than “impressive”).
My advice: save one from AP Physics or AP Chemistry for senior year.
Save one from AP Stats or AP Psych for senior year.
Have you taken Precalculus Honors or Calculus already? Reached level 4 or AP in a foreign langage? Both of those would be necessary for a rigorous junior schedule if you’ve not yet completed them.
@prodesse, AP Chemistry and AP Physics 1/2 don’t require calculus, and instead, only require concurrent or past enrollment in Algebra 2. I am currently enrolled in AP Chemistry without reaching Calculus (highest level math I’ve taken is College Algebra through my school’s early college program; it’s basically Algebra 2 on steroids), and I know plenty of sophomores and juniors in AP Physics 1/2 with only standard Algebra 2. I do agree that AP scholar is not worth jumping through hoops for, though.
@TheMadScientistX : I don’t think it’s a good idea to take a bunch of APs in hopes of boosting your class rank or earning AP scholar. This does not sound like a good idea unless you have experience with extremely rigorous (upwards of four APs) courseloads, and even then, you are going to experience diminishing returns if you have more than ten or even more than eight APs by the time you graduate (other than weighted GPA calculations).
I would drop 1 or 2 of the APs and show colleges you actually have a life outside of school with your extracurriculars, volunteering, etc.
Taking Physics and Chem at the same time sounds like an absolutely awful call- wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. APUSH can be very time consuming. It seems like you’re taking these APs just for the achievement of having an “impressive” # of APs. If that’s the case, don’t take them. Pick some you are interested and save some good courses for Senior year.
APs are NOT the end all be all. Having a strong commitment to extracurriculars is more important, as is being healthy & social, and not burning out before you even reach college. Keep your grades up in the classes you do take and save something for Senior year! You sound like a very strong and dedicated student, and colleges will not see that any different than if you had a few more AP tests.
Nobody cares about AP Scholar…i personally think it is a marketing ploy to get you to take more AP classes and therefore more AP test and more money to the AP people.
You have two more years in HS. Pick one science. Sciences have labs so it will take more of your time. If you have taken bio and chem, then take AP Physics now and AP Chem next year.
Are you STEM oriented or Liberal Arts? Why not Pre-calculus? What math have you taken so far?
AP Physics
AP US History
AP Language
AP Statistics
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry
My D has 5 this year (senior). She is managing fine but has had 3 soph, 4 junior and now 5. Never doubled up on science. I’d drop AP chem, it was more time consuming then AP Physics. Also APUSH is really time consuming so if you are hell bent on 6 swap that one out for AP Gov.
Definitely think 6 is over the top, four seems reasonable. If you have not gotten through Pre-cal, you should at least get that far before taking AP Stats, but I will respectfully disagree with some who think AP Calc should be tackled first/instead of AP Stats. If you are considering a STEM major AP Calc is very sound advice; if you are considering a humanities major, particularly psych/sociology/anthro, I think AP stats makes as much, if not more, sense than AP Calc. Make sure you have at least 3 years of foreign language (4 if you are targeting highly selective schools). What are you taking as an elective or arts credit?
Look, my kids attended HS in Texas, I completely understand the whole weighted GPA thing for rank purposes. But with such a heavy AP load you run the risk of tanking something. And by tanking I mean getting a B, so you may as well take an on-level class and get the A. Does your school offer an honors level course that counts for weighting that you could take instead; like Honors English or Honors Pre Cal?
Yep, nobody cares about the AP scholar designations. It is purely a marketing ploy by the College Board.
Thanks for all the advice! I have decided to drop AP Chem. But I think I’ll keep everything else the same. I might replace AP Stats with AP Human Geography. I also agree with the whole AP National Scholar thing now. For those of who asked, here is my entire schedule.
AP Physics
AP US History
AP Language
AP Psychology
AP Stats
Pre Calc Honors
Advanced Spanish
Health
Phys Ed.
Science Research 3
Just to answer some questions-
I am a stem oriented kid. AP US History is kind of mandatory for next year at my school. All 10th grade social studies teachers automatically either recommends kids for either AP US History or normal US History. I do plan on taking Calculus BC next year. Also I have plenty of volunteering hours (200+) and clubs. I’ll also be doing research over the summer at my local university. Sorry of this sounds like a chance me post. Thanks again everyone!
how do you end up with 9 class periods though?
Are you on block scheduling?
That schedule was already ambtious without the other classes (Precalc, Spanish, Science Research).
Some of them are half year courses like gym, science research and health.
OP - do not be fooled by those telling you it’s doable and how to cheat the system. You will only be cheating yourself as college courses are much more difficult than AP classes. You need to learn the material in high school to prepare yourself for college.
It’s doable but you’re gonna have a tough year. Don’t you also want to make time for SAT studying?