Chemical Engineering looks like an appealing major to me. I love science and math and this year my favorite class has been Chemistry (sophomore in HS) but I have hit a bit of a wall. I would really like to to take AP Chemistry next year, along with Physics, but my school only offers it first hour, which is also the only hour band is offered. I really enjoy being in band and don’t want to quit. Is AP Chemistry going to benefit me significantly or will regular Chemistry be enough?
If you have a lot of self-discipline, you can always take the exam after regular chemistry. It’s one of the toughest, but it’s doable with a strong work ethic.
I know a student who has to skip orchestra for junior in order to take some critical courses.
Can you still participate in band without taking the class? I know at my school you can get the music and attend any out-of-class practices without participating during the day.
Yes, you should take AP Chemistry. That has more bearing on your future hypothetical education and career in chemical engineering than does band. In the meantime, I’m sure your band director and/or school would have some way of accommodating your desire to challenge yourself academically and still stay in band. Teachers aren’t generally in the habit of intentionally crushing students’ dreams.
Thank you for all the helpful replies! I will talk to my band director and see what I can do to still participate. I really appreciate the help!
I would actually not recommend dropping band if you really want to participate. Having an hour a day to dedicate to it is extremely significant in terms of overall performance, and at the end of the day, AP Chemistry is just one subject. No harm in taking it later if you have to, or taking the exam without the AP version of the class.
Ask the teachers who will be teaching this and also ask your GC.
Also, consider whether you will need/want to take the Chem Subject SAT and whether regular Chem will prepare you for it.
FWIW, my D attempted the Chem Subject SAT after just Honors Chem (not AP) and did badly on it (granted she was under the weather that day too, but she said the test kicked her butt) .
IMHO regular chemistry will be enough as ChE students have most difficulty with Organic/physical chemistry in my opinion.
After doing tons and tons of research, this really is looking like the path I want to take. I looked into AP Chem more and it looks like it will help me not only with the knowledge but also being prepared for college classes. I will talk to my band director, chem teacher, and maybe the GC (she has been counter-productive anytime I’ve asked her to help with anything) when I get the chance and try to figure this out to get the best of both worlds. Thank you so much for all the help!
My D just declared ChemE last month. She took AP Chem in HS and she started Org chem directly as freshmen.
There is far more to ChE than Chemistry. At many ChE departments, after Organic Chem the only Chemistry course you will take is Physical Chemistry. In other words, Inorganic Chem, Advanced Analytical Chem and Biochemistry will not be required. Depending on your career goals, you may want to take one or more of them anyway.
Update on the situation. I talked to my band director and since he already had a meeting with the principal, he decided he would go to him directly. I think AP Chem will be moved to another hour. Yay!