<h2>I am a rising Senior and am currently ranked #1(possibly 2) in my class. Next year, I want to take the most challenging curriculum (4 APs), but I am worried that it may be too much and that my grades/class rank would suffer. What do you suggest I do? Should I take 3 APs instead of 4? Right now, my schedule is AP European History(maybe Gov't), AP Calculus AB, AP Latin, AP Human Geography, and Honors English.</h2>
<p>Also, the hardest class for me will definitely be AP Calc (I'm more History/English). If I got accepted ED to an Ivy League with my current schedule (having taken AP Calc for 1 quarter), and then dropped down to regular Calc after I was accepted, would colleges care?</p>
<p>drop the AP Human Geography. I personally think that course is useless. And I was in the same situation this year (though also a junior right now), I took AP Calc BC even though I <em>suck</em> at math...and it was torture. You'll need to devote time to your APs, especially Calc, and your applications. Don't try to take too much senior year is my philosophy; don't want bad grades/rank that year either...and want to focus on applications, i.e. essays.</p>
<p>Yes, I do think colleges would care if you dropped a hard course after you're accepted. That would just look <em>bad</em>. (I'm not sure they'd rescind the admittance, or whatever)...but since you put on the app AP Calc as your class, it'll look v. fishy.</p>
<p>Get rid of Human Geography, it's useless.</p>
<p>but then i wouldn't have a science course...</p>
<p>What are you talking about? Human Geography is a social science course.</p>
<p>would it look bad if I don't take an AP science?</p>
<p>If you say get rid of Human Geography then I am assuming youve never taken it before. It is the most useful AP class ever!!! Every thing you learn in that class can be used and applied. Human geography can explain EVERYTHING!!!! Dont drop the class because some crazy people say to. Its extremely interesting and its practical for everyday use!</p>
<p>Take the harder class load and risk losing rank...in the end, you'll benefit more from it than you would from an inflated GPA...</p>
<p>I'm assuming APs are not weighted at your school?</p>
<p>Before I answer your question, remember this! Don't take AP for the sake of "AP Loading" or because "it's what everyone else does." Take an AP class that you find interesting or that you are curious about.</p>
<p>I'll have to agree with tanonev. Take the harder class load.</p>
<p>My local newspaper ran an article on the seven valedictorians in my county system. One of them is going to a technical school, one is attending an Alabama state university, four are attending the local university (Georgia Southern), and only one is attending the University of Georgia Honors Program.</p>
<p>Even if you're not valedictorian, so what? The title has become less and less prestigious as students DELIBERATELY TAKE LESS CHALLENGING COURSES.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you say get rid of Human Geography then I am assuming youve never taken it before. It is the most useful AP class ever!!! Every thing you learn in that class can be used and applied. Human geography can explain EVERYTHING!!!! Dont drop the class because some crazy people say to. Its extremely interesting and its practical for everyday use!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Oh, please. AP human geography isn't a third of what it could be. A true course in human geography should include a rigorous treatment of political and economic geography, whereas the AP course is a watered down discussion of sociology and culture. Although social and cultural history is the fad nowadays, it's far from relevant in isolation. It has an important role in the social sciences to be sure, which is why the course has some redeeming value, but you'd be far better off with a grounding in economics or political science.</p>
<p>Take AP human geography only if it'll be really easy for you or you have nothing else to take. Once you get to college you'll quickly learn all of this and much more, in a better and more integrated course. There's a reason that this course does not receive college credit.</p>
<p>I say keep all of them! (Maybe switch Human Geo for an AP Science...) Four isn't that bad; you'll survive just fine :D</p>
<p>On the topic of GPA inflation, our school just got an AP Art History class for next year. Pretty much everyone in the top ten percent thought, "Heck yes. I will take that course!" "Do you like art? Or history?" "Of course not!"</p>
<p>I'm actually excited to take AP courses just so I can... know more lol. I like getting questions right on Jeopardy :D</p>