I will be a senior for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year and I am being faced with either taking band or AP Chem for my classes. I took 3 AP classes my junior year and I couldn’t really handle all of the AP along with band, so this year I’m trying to let myself go easy. The following is my schedule if I take band:
1 AP Literature
2 AP Calculus AB
3 Government and Eco Honors
4 Anatomy and Physiology Honors
5 Peer Mentor
6 Chemistry 2 Honors
7 Band
This will be my schedule if I take AP Chemistry:
AP Literature
2 AP Calculus AB
3 Government and Eco Honors
4 Anatomy and Physiology Honors
5 Peer Mentor
6 AP Chemistry
7 Directed Studies (It’s basically a no credit class but you can do your homework in there)
I have a 4.0, which is one of the main reasons why I’m hesitating to take band with AP Chem (along with Anatomy). I am currently in BETA, HOSA, JCL, Mu Alpha Theta, NHS, Science Club, Science Olympiad, and I’m planning to join 2 other clubs next year. I am the VP for HOSA and secretary for BETA.
I have taken so far 4 AP classes (Bio, Lang, APUSH, and Human Geo). I’ve also heard from several people that colleges look for the AP classes you’ve taken (especially in your senior year) so I was worried that if I take band and not take AP Chem, it will look bad on me. I got a 26 on my ACT, and I am planning to retake it at least 2 more times in hopes of getting a 30. My dream college is not one of the IVY League schools, but I do plan to go out of state to schools like NYU. So if I take band (I’ve taken it since 6th grade even though I have no office positions in band or have gotten any award) instead of AP Chemistry, will it lower my chance of getting into schools like NYU?
Thanks in advance!
You need to consider whether you enjoy band and would miss it or not.
Whether your previous chemistry class seemed very easy or not.
Whether it is completely necessary to have a 4.0
It doesn’t matter what schools want nearly as much as it matters what you want as long as you’ve taken care of the basics, which it sounds like you have.
Do you like band? Are you really interested in chemistry or are you just looking to rack up another AP? Colleges look at your entire application, not just the number of AP classes you took. Don’t tie yourself in knots, or try to create a persona just because you think it will look good on an application. As mom2twogirls says, you’ve covered the basics. Do what will make you happy. You WILL end up at the right school. FYI, since you mention NYU, I know a number of kids who have gone to NYU without taking every AP course they could get their hands on and without 4.0 GPAs.
What type of major are you interested in?
At this point, getting a B in AP Chem wouldn’t dent your GPA that much (and not at all at many universities that only consider grades 9-11).
If you enjoy band, take it. If you don’t, AP Chem may help, depending on what major you plan on pursuing.
What’s your EFC and can your parents afford it? (Most parents can’t). Have you run the NPC’s and talked with them about cost?
Because NYU is very expensive and famously stingy with financial aid, so it may not be an option, but there are lots of excellent urban schools if that’s what you’re interested in, from DePaul to UMN-Twin Cities to Northeastern to American University.
I enjoy band, but I do get stressed about it too. However, I want to stay for one more year, which is why I’m worried that not taking AP Chem will look bad on me since most people take a lot of AP classes their senior year.
I haven’t decided fully yet on my major, but I am hoping to become a dentist one day. I did read on several websites that one of the sciences I would need to take is organic chemistry, which is why I thought maybe AP Chem would help me understand it more. However, when I took Chemistry I sophomore year, I did found myself struggling with the concepts, which is why I thought perhaps Chem 2 Honors would be a little easier for me to understand.
I know GPA won’t matter much for college, but I also want to be a valedictorian for my class, which is why I’m scared that I won’t be able to handle all the AP’s, ACT Practice, and scholarship essays.
Spirasyzx, you say that most people take lots of AP classes in senior year. I don’t know your school, but that’s not true most places. My high school is one of the top schools in my state and is known for being extremely competitive and having a serious academic focus. Sends plenty of graduates to top universities every year. Believe me, plenty of those kids are not knocking themselves out taking AP for the sake of AP. They take AP courses that interest them. They also play sports, are in one of the bands, orchestra or choral groups, are active in theatre, and pursue all sorts of interests. There’s so much more to life than piling on AP classes.
You WANT to do band. You think you’re supposed to take another AP. Do what you WANT.
And from an academic perspective, especially since you say you found Chem 1 difficult, you’ll probably do yourself a favor down the line if you don’t take AP Chem now and place out of the equivalent course in college, College courses often cover material not covered in a high school AP class, and if you place out of it you’ll miss material you’ll probably need if you’re following a science path. Take Honors Chem, give yourself the opportunity to really grasp the material, and then take whatever chem you need in college.
Band. 100%. Taking AP Chem vs not taking it WILL NOT be a deciding factor in whether you are admitted. I agree with @twobugs when they say you think youre supposed to take another AP. I actually thought about quitting band for my senior year also so I could take another AP Class. After about 30 minutes of talking to my band director I changed my mind. Band is something I love and it keeps me sane. Its a major part of my life and considering that you have stayed in band for this long it must be a major part of your life too. Its your choice, but I recommend band. APs are great, but do what makes you happy and you will get into the right school for you,
“However, when I took Chemistry I sophomore year, I did found myself struggling with the concepts, which is why I thought perhaps chem 2 Honors would be a little easier for me to understand.”
Well, what makes you think chem will get easier in college? If you want pre-dent, seems rigorous science is the path.
I’d say AP chem is more important than anatomy.
It’s nice to finish off band, but you may need a realistic look at your science skills. Can you prep for AP chem this summer, go back and strengthen your basic knowledge?
To me, you’ve got a rigorous enough schedule without AP Chem.
That said…AP Chem looks good on the transcript of someone wanting to study STEM.
Then again…you don’t want to screw up your GPA, particularly if you end up with a lower ACT score.
If possible…do AP Chem and Band…dump Anatomy and Phys
You can do Anatomy and Physiology at community college over the summer if you want. Make sure it transfers.
I’m not really sure since I spent all June in Governor’s School, so now I only have July left. I still have to finish my summer work for AP Literature and Calculus along with start memorizing music for band camp, which starts at the end of July. I did try to do summer work during Governor’s School, but I never found the time since I had assignments there too.
I’m not really sure since I spent all June in Governor’s School, so now I only have July left. I still have to finish my summer work for AP Literature and Calculus along with start memorizing music for band camp, which starts at the end of July. I did try to do summer work during Governor’s School, but I never found the time since I had assignments there too.
don’t add more stress to your senior year, your transcript is fine wrt rigor, esp since you’re taking honors chem 2. If you struggled in chem, AP is going to very difficult and fast, so take something you seem to be passionate about.
Take band, my DD had the same issue with student council. It cost her being the Val/Sal as she couldn’t fill the slot taken by the student council class with an AP class as others could. I’m pretty sure she would have finished as the Val since she was setting the curve in most if her AP classes. Having said that she got into her first choice college finishing at #7 in her class. She wouldn’t have changed anything looking back.