Hi guys,
I need some advice. I was wondering if taking 4 APs is a lot for senior year. The classes I am potentially going to take are AP Bio, AP Calc BC, AP lit and AP chem. Would this be a heavy course load? If I were to drop an AP it would be lit to regular English. Let me know thanks for your advice in advance!!
I think that as long as you’re willing to put in the work, this schedule would definitely be manageable for senior year. I took 6 APs last year as a junior and plan to take 6 again as a senior. It’s hard work and takes grit, but it’s certainly doable.
Why take 2 lab sciences? I would only pick one of them.
Have you taken Bio, Chem and Physics alredy?
Don’t take AP bio and AP chem together. They’re very difficult and time intensive – often require labs with lab reports that’ll take a long time.
Another vote for not taking both AP Bio and AP Chem concurrently. In addition to the time commitment required by virtue of being AP’s, each requires a lot of time for labs and lab reports. For many schools, these classes are either double-periods, or require additional time before/after school.
I would agree – unless you are a science whiz I would not take two AP science courses. Perhaps take something like AP Psych or AP Econ if those are offered.
Taking IB Chem and IB BIo at the same time is not bad. But you must work.
4 APs during senior year is a light load.
3 STEM Classes & A Literature Class will be very challenging.
My Recommendations is to Pick One Stem Class That You Really Want & Interest in & Take Literature.
Better To Take 2 and know you will do good and have some free time, then to do 4 stress out and quit.
@bopper, yeah I have taken bio, chem, and AP physics so far.
What do you want to major in in college?
Really I would only take one of those sciences.
Engineering? Take AP Chem
Pre-med? AP Chem or AP Bio
If you want to add another AP, do AP Econ or Psych or something.
I would counsel against too many APs Senior year, and this is why.
In the fall, you are in college application season. You may be taking the SAT again. You may want to visit some more colleges. You have to write college- specific essays (hopefully you already wrote your common app essay over the summer.). You have to fill out your Common App and get recommendations.
Also you may be in marching band or Sports or be a leader of a club. College Apps is like another timesucking EC on top of that.
Then in the spring, you may have senioritis. You are been accepted to college and are looking toward the finish line. You have to study for the AP tests…it will be difficult to study for too many at once.
Stanford U says:
“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”
@bopper I am not exactly sure what I will pursue but pre med is definitely on the table. I would love to take AP Econ or Psych but my school does not offer it. You are right about college apps and senioritis which I am almost positive will affect me. One of the reasons I though to take these two classes is so I can get exposure before college. I thought that since I struggle a bit with chemistry it would be better to struggle in HS than in college. That was more of my reasoning. I appreciate your advice regarding this. I will look back at my schedule to see what I can do! Thank you!
@MidnightWolf1470 @happy1 @skieurope @MYOS1634 @bookworm13579 Thank you for your advice on this and your insight regarding taking AP Chem + Bio! I will look back to see what I can do! (: