We’re gonna pick classes for next year in a couple of weeks at my school and I wanted some opinions on the classes I want to take. Please feel free to post any thoughts/comments
My previous schedules for some context:
9th grade:
English 9 Honors
US History
Honors Geometry
Honors Bio
Spanish 2
Health/PE (semester)
Digital Media Tech (semester)
10th grade:
English 10 Honors
American Government (semester)
Economics (semester)
Honors Algebra 2
Honors Chem
Spanish 3
Drivers’ Ed (semester)
Phys Ed (semester)
Computer Programming (semester)
11th grade:
AP English Language
AP US History
Honors Trig/Pre-calc
AP Chem
Spanish 4
Health/PE
Wildlife Habitats and Management
And my proposed 12th grade:
English 12 Honors
AP Econ (macro/micro combined)
AP Calc AB
AP Bio
AP Physics C: Mech
Business & Personal Law (semester)
Organic Chemistry (semester)
I want to major in either biochem or econ/math at higher ranked private schools in PA (Bucknell, Lafayette, etc.)
Note: My school does AP calc AB/BC as a sequence rather than as an either/or, so thats why I would take AB instead of BC.
No, organic chem is a high school class thats designed for kids who want to go into science and medicine related majors. From how hard I’ve heard it is in college, I think I could use a little background knowledge.
Be aware that taking two AP sciences (and I don’t even know how hard your Organic Chem is) can be pretty brutal. I’d ask some people at your school who have already taken those classes about the workload. Also I beleive you need a background in calc for Physics C. You’d probably either need to self study some calc beforehand or chose another class.
Also I might consider taking another year of Spanish. I know you want 4 yrs for competitve colleges, but I see many people go up to AP/IB level. I’m not sure if that has any advantage, especially for the colleges you are intrested in, so maybe someone else can provide an answer.
AP physics is very difficult. My D got a B- in the class and it was the lowest grade on her transcript but it was the class she worked the hardest in during her junior year. Also check if you should be taking Physics C without taking calculus first. You might want to take AP Physics 1, not C. It is possible taking the AP calculus class at the same time will be sufficient - just something to think about. Either way, be prepared to work.
I agree with @Madeline25 that it might be a very good idea to continue with Spanish. It shows commitment and mastery. I think it’s very impressive on a transcript to have that 5th year of a language. I would like to see you take one AP science during your senior year and an AP language rather than 2 AP sciences.
Taking Physics C without a previous study of calculus is almost impossible (in order to do well and actually benefit from the class, you should have taken one year of physics and one year of calculus, or at least a precalc honors class that introduced basics of analysis and calculus too, before you take Physics C). Taking it alongside one of the most time-consuming APs, AP Bio, is insane. I STRONGLY discourage you from attempting both.
Instead, take AP Physics 1.
Organic chemistry is probably useless - you won’t remember much by the time you take it in college (sophomore year) and it means you triple up on the subject. You can of course take it, but three science classes would be overkill. Why don’t you plan on taking a fun elective your senior year - especially since writing all the supplementary essays will be like having an extra class in the Fall?
At my school, there is no AP physics 1 and physics C has been designed as a first year physics class. Many people take it at the same time as calc with no previous knowledge and do fine (I know a few seniors doing this).
@amy989 I forgot to mention that I’m taking spanish as an independent study this year and I don’t think I would be fully prepared for AP (and spanish is BY FAR my least favorite subject).
Hm, AP classesare supposed to be standardized and AP Physics C is most definitely NOT a first year physics class for high school, it’s the equivalent of one year of hardcore physics for engineers at the college level.
So either you’re not prepared for AP Physics C, or something’s amiss.
Even so, ake either Physics C OR AP Bio, not both at the same time.
@MYOS1634 The only prerequisite/corequisite for ap physics is ap calc ab, and most people come in with no physics knowledge. And keep in mind that its only mechanics, so it would move a lot slower than mech+e&m.
Thanks for all the input! I think I’ve decided to take astronomy (a really easy science elective) instead of organic chem. On the subject of AP bio and physics: I don’t feel overwhelmed at all with my 3 APs right now, and think I could handle 4 next year. Has anyone taken these 2 AP sciences at the same time that can share their experience? Would it be better for me to just take honors physics with AP bio instead?
