<p>I am taking 7 AP classes currently and was taking 5 last year. What I am wondering about is whether the courseload at high-end universities like Georgetown is comparable, easier or harder. Notably, I usually perform better and don't feel as stressed out when I am doing extended written assignments, as opposed to problem sets and worksheets - I also intend to major in social sciences. So, what is it like in college?</p>
<p>college is completely different from high school.. basically, take out the busy work (problem sets and worksheets) and enter papers and essays ;) Problem sets are heavy in math courses and stuff like physics.. i would assume social sciences would have more written work to it ;) i rarely have homework as a business major (im a college senior), but yet i have a lot of papers and projects. it's more long term stuff, as opposed to short term problem sets and worksheets.. hope that helped...</p>
<p>if you're doing well with all those AP classes, college will be a breeze for you, even at the top institutions. things may change tho, if you start partying or socializing a lot with your new found freedoms in college.</p>
<p>No, AP courses are nothing like the courseload at the top institutions. Problem sets in match science are much much more in depth, usually requiring at least 6 hours per set a week. In the social sciences, expect fewer problem sets but a lot of reading (much more than you would have in any AP class) and many papers. Of course, the amount of work is different at every college you go to -- ask in the forums for the schools you're interested in to find out how their classes compare to AP courses. One good indication, without having to ask anyone, is to check into what kind of scores the school accepts.</p>
<p>Alleya is right - AP classes are nowhere near as difficult as college classes (even the entry level courses AP classes are supposed to simulate).</p>
<p>A college class is like and AP class if you take what you are learning in that AP class throuhgout the school year and learn it in only 3.5 months. And if you go to more elite schools, the material will also be more in depth and much harder. Thats not to say that there are no easy classes.</p>
<p>how do you know if you are more inclined to be the hard worker/"plugger" or the smart ass that doesnt do work</p>
<p>and if you're in the middle somewhere...how would you fare?</p>
<p>In college, you most likely will be taking just 4 classes, maybe 5. However, most classes will be much harder than a high school AP class and move at a much faster pace...the speed is what seems to catch some students unawares...all of a sudden they find themselves behind and it's a b*tch to catch up.</p>
<p>Because of all the freedom, you need to have a very good sense of self-inflicted time management. My own recommendation is that you start college for first few weeks making sure you're on top of your courses, then start adding in activities as you can handle them. Of course, most activities start at the beginning of the year and many students get caught being over-extended...and if you don't catch yourself in time, you can get really screwed. It's hard to have so much good stuff available and to have to say "No" to some of it.</p>
<p>Alleya and Fendergirl have it nailed. My D's one forlorn complaint was, "I thought I'd have more free time on weekends." Hah. Friday night is it.</p>
<p>The biggest thing in the speed, like others have said. It all happens faster, basically twice as fast.</p>
<p>I was an IB Diploma student in HS, and I have found my first semester to be a lot less work. BUT I did bomb one test, and I believe it's going to kill my GPA for the entire semester, because there's no homework and stuff to easily bring up my grade.</p>
<p>tee hee. i thought you said "college curseload." i don't know why i found that funny. perhaps too much exam cramming?</p>
<p>anyway, i took 8 APs in high school, 7 my senior year, and am finding college to be tremedously easier than high school. of course, i'm only a freshmen and in entry-level-type courses sans my honors courses, but still. only there's less busywork, and what's expected of you (in regards to text reading, papers, exam preparation) is a lot less clear and more you're own responsibility. but the freedom of that is nice.</p>
<p>ap calc --> breeze
honors calc --> changed my major!!</p>
<p>everyone's nailed it. I've realized that the hardest class i perceive turns to be one of my easiest and vice versa (got 100 on Regents in Math + 5 on CALC AB, got B- in honors calc, got 78 in Regents Chem, got B+ in G Chem, etc). maybe it's because i study for it more. definitely very very easy to get behind. can't do those hmwk problems the period before it's due. </p>
<p>GO TO CLASSES AND OFFICE HOURS. Unless you are a hardcore morning person, try to avoid 8, and if you can, 9 am classes, very hard to make them if you stay up until 3 or 4 studying or procrastinating.</p>
<p>still trying to change my study habits (very bad), so i'll tell you how that goes when I do get it right.</p>
<p>AP classes easier than high school? I disagree. Maybe it's just because I came from one of the top public schools in my state with a strong AP program... I didn't realize how rigorous my high school was until I came to this college known for its academic rigor. Man, college is so easy-the level of difficulty is nearly the same as my AP courses in hgh school. La la la... </p>
<p>As for you OP, you will find college very easy after all those AP classes!</p>
<p>AP classes are easier than college in that you get a whole year instead of just a semester. However, in AP there are more tests, homework, etc. I think grading is also easier in AP.</p>
<p>Well, a class like AP Physics B is 3 quarters or 2 semesters on college, and that makes a year of high school.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter for english classes. In fact, the only classes it does matter for are classes that the college board says are supposed to model semesters, like macro/micro and gov. However, my school gives macro and micro in the same year, so that doesn't really change anything.</p>
<p>i took maybe 5 ap classes all throughout high school. granted i was at a competitive private school but still....i obviously wasnt taking the most difficult courseload. now as a freshman at emory, i find the work easier than in hs. i have so much free time i dont know what to do with myself and i have a 3.5 gpa now (which is actually better than i had in hs)
however, since you mentioned georgetown....my sister is a senior there. she took more APs and did better than me as a hs student. but being premed at georgetown, she has little time for anything but work. but i believe thats just bc of premed.
if you went to a challenging hs, college should be easier i believe.
but time management is KEY to success.</p>