<p>I need help on what courses to take next semester and next year (I am a junior). I really want to get into a good college so I dont know what classes to pick. My school offers APs, honors, accelerated, and college prep. I know that ap and honors will help my chances but I really dont want to take some of them. Right now Im in accelerated chemistry so next year I would have to take either AP chemistry 2 or Honors physics. I want to take physics but I dont know because chemistry 2 is an Ap. Also we have Ap Euro History and I could take that next semester but I really dont want to. Id rather take pyschology (cp) or accelerated geography. But i dont know what to do. My councler will tell me to challenge myself with an AP but most of the APs at my school bore me and id rather take a course that excites me not one that will add more stress to my life because a lot of people in my school are doing that, even though they really arent prepared for the rigors of that level. I dont want to be one of those kids who argues with their teachers to let them move up to a higher level, even though they arent ready. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Also i was wondering what levels of Spanish should I move to. Right now Im in Spanish 4 CP and next year i would be in Spanish 5CP and I am in the Spanish honor society but i was wondering if i should move up to spanish 4 literature honors so that i could take the ap spanish 5 class. Dont get me wrong, im not a geek or anything, but i am interested in learning and I do want to get into a good college to get away from here. Im not aiming at HYPS or any of the ivy leagues. So what should I do? Here is a list of the APs my school has that i will take or might take:
micro and macro econ (will take)
chemistry 2
spanish 5
calculus (will take)
statistics (will take)
Euro history
American history (taking)</p>
<p>I know this is really long, but i really would appreciate anyone's help. Thanks!</p>
<p>You should take the most challenging courses your school can offer if you are considering top tier schools (not just the Ivies - good state universities and many others included). Hey, you say you want to go to a good college - might as well get used to working hard every now and then, because good colleges don't tend to be all play and no work.</p>
<p>I think you should take AP Euro. I don't know about Spanish. With chem though, I think you're much better off taking physics. Colleges prefer students to take physics in high school.</p>
<p>AP's are hard or not so hard and adcoms know the difference. Typical hard ones are Physics, Calculus, Chem, and Bio. Typical easy ones are Psychology and Studio Art. </p>
<p>If you are taking chemistry this semester, then your choice next year is to take either AP Chem or Honors Physics. You have a leg up on AP Chem since you have taken chem in junior year, but AP Chem is still going to be harder than honors physics. I would recommend that you take physics and find your senior AP's somewhere else. It would be good to get physics on the transcript.</p>
<p>I take it that you are planning to take AP Econ, AP Calc, and AP Statistics in senior year. Taking those three during senior year would be enough. I wouldn't try to add AP Spanish. In terms of junior year, I take it that you are taking AP US Hist in junior year. The choice about AP Euro Hist is open to you. </p>
<p>In talking to your guidance counselor, remember that he/she is going to write your rec. I would not be saying anything to him/her about not wanting to take hard courses because they are hard. You can get the same result by saying that you are really, really interested in psychology that you can get by saying that psychology is easier because it isn't an AP.</p>
<p>You don't sound as if you are on the threadmill to get into the most prestigious university possible. Most people on this forum are. You can certainly get into a good college where you will be happy without stressing out in high school. I personally would not tell someone not to challenge themselves intellectually, but you should also pick courses that interest you and not just because they are AP. On the other hand, taking AP courses will help you adjust to the higher expectations that a college will have for you in freshman year.</p>