Hi everyone,
So this is my dilemma. I made the mistake of taking two CP classes this year, in Math and in French. I still want a heavy course load next year, and to do this I would like to take AP Calc and AP French. This jump would be pretty significant for me.
My plan is to take at least one of these courses over the summer. Should I take the courses online to prepare (without credit) and then take the classes in school? Or should I them at a community college this summer and skip them senior year? I am already taking 4 APs next year (possibly 5), so I prefer the second option. Which options do colleges prefer?
Please help!
If you do take the college level equivalence of calculus/French, are you planning on getting ahead senior year with a higher level math/French course? Are you concerned with the grades counting towards you GPA (if they even do)? Those are some things to consider.
Are you asking if it would be better to take the course over the summer for no credit and then retake it during your senior year? I honestly think that is a waste of time. You should consider lightly preparing over the summer using a prep book so that you’ll be more prepared to take the actual course come senior year.
However, I’d say you should lighten the load for your senior year so that you’ll have time to work on your college applications. 4 to 5 APs is enough in my opinion. So I’d say taking the community college path would not be a bad idea. If you want out of state credit for the courses you could always take the corresponding AP exams at the end of your senior year.
As far as what colleges would think, seeing as your school already offers AP Calc/French, adcoms may raise a few eyebrows in concern as to why you are taking their equivalencies at a community college. This is kind of a nitpicky thing, and it may not be a big deal at a non-top 20 school.
@AnEpicIndian Thanks for the reply! I am looking to apply to very selective schools. My concern is that admissions will see that I am not “peaking” in French and Math, and will view that as a negative. If I do take AP French/AP Calc via community college, I will use the space in my schedule to take AP Physics and Advanced Creative Writing. I will also be taking AP Statistics, but I will not have another French class. Is this bad?
The reason I would take it for no credit over the summer would be to prepare for it. I am very worried about how my grades will fair in those classes, so I want to ensure I’m doing my best. I may not tell colleges that I took the courses over the summer.