<p>I am planning my AP courses for Junior year (next). I have already chosen Bio and English Lit. I am only permitted one more AP next year and can choose between Macroeconomics, Human Geography and Comparative Gov't. My school stretches out Macro and Govt throughout the whole year for some reason, if that makes a difference to your recommendation. In Senior year I will take French Language, English Language and European History or one of the ones that I didn't decide to take next year. So adcoms will have the score for the one I choose to do Junior year but not the one (from the list of three) that I leave for Senior year.</p>
<p>I thought you parents might know which of these three AP's will be/appear to be more 'rigorous' and which might be more likely to result in a high score. They all sound really interesting and I would probably be equally happy taking any of them. </p>
<p>I will be applying to very selective LAC's if that helps. Thanks!</p>
<p>i'm not a parent, but from my experience, DON'T EVER TAKE AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY. i learned nothing in that class; it was all common sense stuff. if you want to major in economics or anything like it then take economics, but if would take comparative gov't. economics and gov't sound good but dont waste your time on human geography</p>
<p>Is there a chance you could take European History? Most selective colleges do not recognize Human Geography or Comparative Govt. I believe that they also see Macroeconomics as a semester course, to be teamed with Microeconomics. If you can choose from only those three, then go with Macro.</p>
<p>Cowtipper: Thanks for sharing your experience with AP Human Geography. Sorry it was such a waste of time.</p>
<p>Marite: I will take European History in Senior year. I'm so glad you told me most selective colleges do not recognize Human Geography or Comparative Government. I checked with several colleges I am considering and you were correct: they do not give credit for those courses and I doubt that taking them would improve my chances of acceptance either. I never would have known otherwise. I DID know some AP's were more highly regarded than others, but I did not know that some were not even recognized! Thank you so much for your knowledgeable input.</p>
<p>I go to a small private school (class of 60) and it has just recently (past 4 or 5 years) switched from offering IB to offering AP courses. I am not even sure that they understand that some courses are considered 'AP Light'. I think I am going to mention this all to them. I am also not sure why they offer Macro over two semesters instead of a semester each or Macro and Micro!</p>
<p>Thanks again, Marite. You always give people such helpful advice.</p>
<p>Any other knowledgeable parents wish to add anything?</p>
<p>Would any other parents (or students for that matter) be able to add anything to Marite's recommendation? I would really appreciate it. I have my meeting with the counselor on Monday. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you could switch years for Govt/Econ with Euro.....since a 5 on the AP Euro test would be more favorable to an adcom than a 5 on the Govt test. However, achieving a 5 on the Govt test should be easier.</p>
<p>fwiw: many consider the following the most 'rigorous' AP courses: the three sciences (Bio/Chem/Physics), Eng Lit, Euro Hist (and maybe APUSH?), and Calc. AP foreign language is also good , assuming its not your native tongue.</p>
<p>Bluebayou: Thanks for the list of most respected AP's. I don't think European History fits into the junior scheduling (small class of 60) and only seniors can take it. I do see what you are saying and will see if it is possible to do. I will also explain why it is better to do it in that order and maybe the school will reconsider how they schedule it.</p>
<p>So... you think a 5 on Govt would be easier than on Euro? How about Macro? </p>
<p>Again, thanks for your valuable input. It sure helps having all these knowledgeable parents here on CC!</p>
<p>a 5 is possible on any test if you have a good teacher and your are interested in the topic and you work hard. </p>
<p>As choco says, micro, macro, and govt are considered one quarter courses at a college, whereas Euro is typically considered fora two-quarter class (at least at UCLA, for example). </p>
<p>Personally, I'm not a big fan of HS econ, since it barely covers the basics, and without calc, it missed the true methodology of a supply and demand curve. But, since econ is another Calif HS grad requirement, the kids take AP econ. :)</p>
<p>Marite is right; macro is the best of the three listed by the OP.</p>
<p>Question: can you take macro and self-study micro at the same time (maybe with some coaching from the macro teacher)? That seems like it might be a more impressive achievement to me.</p>
<p>I had the same idea even before I got to the end of the thread: take Macro, self-study Micro. It utulizes the same ideas, so if you know the Macro part well, it will only take a little bit of additional effort to learn certain Micro principles and terms.</p>
<p>The Barron's AP prep book should be enough, but you may also want to peruse Mankiw's textbook (there's also a study guide). Or if you'd prefer regular study throughout the year, take a look at <a href="http://www.thinkwell.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.thinkwell.com/</a> - it's kind of college-level electronic textbook with videolectures.</p>
<p>Oh wow, parents, you have given a lot of good and consistent advice. I have decided on macro and will look into doing micro on my own. Do you think I should try to get a start on it this summer, or is doing macro first necessary/helpful? I am pretty sure I can only do Euro in senior year. If I can do it in junior year, however, I will.</p>
<p>Marmat103: Thanks for the Mankiw text book referral and for the thinkwell link. Great ideas.</p>
<p>Thanks all parents. I am so thankful you are willing to share your wealth of knowledge. I wish my school hadn't just recently switched from IB. They really don't seem to have a great handle on things yet.</p>
<p>I think you can study micro over the summer. Look for a college textbook (perhaps at your library) and supplement with one or two of the better AP study guides. Then review the material systematically through the course of the year.</p>