Dropping science second semester of junior year?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm in my junior year of hs. I had originally signed up for AP Language and Composition, but they gave me honors English instead. Rather than going through all the hassle of switching my schedule first semester, I simply kept what I had. </p>

<p>Turns out the honors class is a total joke. We learned nothing of value, and the teacher was extremely inappropriate. </p>

<p>I just got my schedule switched to have AP Lang&Comp for second semester. However, to do that I had to drop my second science class (regular physics), and TA during that period. I have 7 periods, which is why I was taking 2 science classes. The good thing is am TA'ing for my calculus teacher, so it will be very valuable to have extra time with him to help me. </p>

<p>My question is if it will look bad that I dropped the second science class to TA instead? My gut is telling me no, since I did it in an effort to take an AP class and challenge myself more. But I can't help feeling that it might look bad.</p>

2

<p>I think the answer depends greatly on what the science class is that you’d be continuing in. Is a lab science? Is it a “serious” class? If so, then you probably don’t have a big problem.</p>

<p>It’s an unusual situation, though, and it won’t be immediately apparent to a college admissions officer what’s going on. Fortunately, there’s an opportunity on the Common Application for students to provide additional information. The instructions say:

This is exactly the kind of circumstance they’re talking about. My only advice is, since it is kind of a complicated explanation, once you’ve written it up, give it to one or two people not already familiar with your case so you can make sure your explanation will be clear to others.</p>

3

<p>I’m continuing with honors chemistry, which I do consider to be substantial. I took AP bio last year, and will take science senior year as well, so I’ll have my 4 years of science. </p>

<p>And yes, I was planning to do exactly that and explain the situation. Thanks for the suggestion to have someone proofread it; I never would’ve thought of that myself.</p>

4

<p>Sounds to me as if you’ve thought this through, and you’re making a sound educational choice that a reasonable person might make. That’s really that a college admissions committee will care about–or should. </p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

5

<p>My advice: keep the science class and take the AP test anyways (or sign up next year). If you can score 700+ on the CR and W section of the SAT, you’re sure to get a 5. Learning physics is valuable, especially if you want to study science in college.</p>

<p>Anyone interested in my question? – <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1448970-oh-no-did-i-just-ruin-my-chances-my-grades-have-dropped-1st-sem-senior-year.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1448970-oh-no-did-i-just-ruin-my-chances-my-grades-have-dropped-1st-sem-senior-year.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;