<p>I plan on applying to pretty competitive colleges. Regardless of other determining factors, I have a question regarding course load. This will be my transcript by senior year…</p>
<p>Freshman year:
CP English 1
CP Geometry
CP Physical Science
CP World History
Intro to Art
P.E
Health</p>
<p>Sophomore Year:
CP English 2
CP Algebra 2
CP Biology
AP U.S History
French 1
Film and Literature
Psychology</p>
<p>Junior Year:
Honors English 3
AP Statistics
Pre-Cal
Chemistry
Physiology
French 2
AP Art History</p>
<p>Senior Year:
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Government
French 3
Modern Literature</p>
<p>I have the option of taking an online AP course…I would most likey take AP World History or AP Euro History…Should I take the online course? Would it increase my chances or does it not make much difference? I would like to take the class but my parents are worried I would be stretching myself too thin. I get straight A’s, however, I have never juggled an online course on top of traditional courses…</p>
<p>Lots of questions: Are you a junior? Do you have a special interest in history? Your course list looks as though you’re more interested in math and science than social studies.</p>
<p>Would the extra course be your senior year (which already looks quite crowded)? Five APs your senior year seems like a lot. Is that the “norm” at your high school?</p>
<p>We don’t know enough about your hs and peers. The first thing that stands out is one AP in Jr year and it’s stats. What’s the probable major? What about a summer course? And you realize it will be holistic, right?</p>
<p>Our school does not offer many more APs than what I have signed up for. The only others offered besides the ones I have taken/plan to take are physics, studio art, and of course the advanced languages. My course load is considered to be quite above average since I doubled up courses to be able to take more APs. </p>
<p>As for my interests, I tend to be pretty liberal. I lean more towards english and history, even if my transcript says otherwise, haha. I am good at both science and math, they come fairly easy to me. I am not set on a major at the moment. I’ve been torn between education and law. (if I listed my ecs it would make more sense, haha)</p>
<p>Summer classes, unforunately, are only offered as remedial classes at my school, so taking a summer course is not possible, at least through the school. I’ve looked at some college summer programs, however, the financial situation at home can’t support that right now. The only way I can earn credit for a course is if I take it during the normal school year online through an online academy. (the school pays the fee b/c it is a course that the school does not offer.)</p>
<p>I guess my main concern is whether or not an extra course or two taken online will help my chances or if I am just wasting my time? I have a great gpa now, but would it be too much of a risk to add on additional work if it doesn’t make much of a difference?</p>
<p>Wow, completely forgot to mention my grade. Ha. I’m a sophomore, I just registered for next year’s courses. The additional online course would be taken my junior year when I only have 2 other APs. However, all of the courses besides french 2 and 3 will be weighted from next year on.</p>
<p>I can’t really answer your question from an admissions standpoint, and I don’t know you, your school, your peers, or your academic potential, so take my answer with a grain of salt. I can only answer knowing my own experiences.</p>
<p>I would generally advise against taking online classes, especially for AP classes. I’ve been forced to take quite a few online classes throughout high school, and I learned hardly anything from them. Though it may be just a personal preference, I have found that online classes do not provide an optimal learning environment. </p>
<p>If possible, I might try to shift one of the APs you are taking your senior year to junior year (perhaps AP Government). That way, you can even out the difficulty between your junior and senior year and have some additional AP scores to put on your college applications when it is time to apply. </p>
<p>Once again, I would recommend against taking online AP classes unless you truly want to learn the material. Take the time you would spend studying for those classes and instead invest it into extracurricular activities or hobbies you love.</p>
<p>You might think about moving AP bio into your junior year. You’re taking regular bio this year. Presumably you’re doing well, or you wouldn’t be planning to take the AP, right? That way you’d have the continuity, and you’d balance out your junior and senior years.</p>
<p>Remember that colleges are going to look most closely at your junior year course load and grades. They’ll also have the AP results from your junior year courses if they want them. At most, they’ll get your first semester senior year grades, and if you’re applying EA or ED they won’t even get those. So junior year really counts!</p>
<p>In the end, I don’t think you’ve made the case for taking another AP course online. You haven’t talked about your extracurriculars, community service, etc. My hunch is that Adodie is right and you’d be better off using the extra time for those. And perhaps you could even get some extra sleep as a result! :-)</p>
<p>You’re getting good advice. Added thoughts: if you may major in English or history, good to have the extra history class. I’d also suggest some swap. Is art history a requirement? I’d consider forgetting stats.</p>
<p>A lot can happen between sophomore and senior year. You may love (or hate) upper level math and laboratory science (or the humanities). Best is to take what you love and try to get as close to an unweighted 4.0 as possible.</p>
<p>it honestly doesnt make a difference in my opinion.</p>
<p>Theres not really a big difference between ranked 3 or 13 in the class. So as the SAT scores. 100 pts difference usually dont change someones decision from rejected to accepted or vice versa.</p>
<p>You are doubling up on some classes which is unnecessary depending in how you are as a student.</p>
<p>You don’t need to take chemistry then AP Chem. you could go straight to AP Chem. Statistics isn’t necessary and Pre-Calc should be honors not CP level(you don’t say which it is).</p>
<p>Physiology? Not necessary but nice if medicine is your objective. </p>
<p>Your senior year course load is intense. If you can take one or two AP in your Junior year and One or two less your senior year, you may do well without losing anything. Is AP Calc BC an option? I don’t see where it fits but wondering.</p>
<p>Anyway, senioritis is real and its hard for even the most dedicated students to keep up the level of focus of the first 3 yrs of HS. Make your JR yr a little harder so you have more to show on your college app. Make your SR yr a little lighter but still get great grades.</p>
<p>Give serious thought to applying early decision to your top choice since the acceptance rate is usually double the overall rate. Taking extra online courses won’t help you if they take away from SAT prep.</p>