Honors VS. AP

Applying to College
1

<p>I have the choice of taking Honors English 3 or AP English. I really do not know what I should do. It would be my dream to go to a top school and I am wondering if this would really make a huge difference when it came to admissions. The AP English course at my school has a horrible reputation for ruining valedictorians...Although, I don't want to completely screw myself by not taking the most rigor curriculum.
Classes set for my junior year include : APUSH 2, AP Physics, Honors Precalc, "English", Financial Mathematics, Intro to Statistics, Study Hall ( I need to take one because AP Physics has two lab days) and Spanish 4</p>

<p>Course already taken....</p>

<p>APUSH 1, Honors World History, Honors English 1&2, Geometry, Honors Algebra 2 ( I am a year ahead in math because of the way my schools curriculum works) Spanish 1,2,3, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Contemporary Business, Sports Marketing, Business Law</p>

2

<p>Take the class that has the best teacher. Having said that, keep in mind that many schools will only give you credit for one AP English class, so you could take the AP next year to earn your credit. My college junior daughter says that if she had to do it over again, she would have taken a fun English senior year.</p>

3

<p>“Take the class that has the best teacher.” Agreed. Life is short. Take the class with the good teacher, not the one infamous for knocking over vals.</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys, so by doing this I wont ruin my chances for the Ivies?</p>

5

<p>I agree with MD mom. If you are killing English this year, 95 - 100+, then take AP, but it ultimately comes down to What you want to take. If you have a shot at valedictorian and that is important then stick with AP. Listen to the your current teachers recommendation. She will know what is right for you.</p>

6

<p>You’re already taking a rigorous curriculum, so I don’t think it would harm you to take Honors instead of AP.</p>

<p>You’ll regret having one grade break your GPA if that happens. It’s probably among the most frustrating things that can happen to your GPA.</p>

7

<p>The OP is outside the top 10% of her school and wants to get into a “top school” like Princeton. She needs to take AP English for that. You can’t gain on the top %ile taking lower level classes (unless it’s all UW in which case she already is below a 4.0).</p>

8

<p>Actually, at my school (its so mediocre) Honors and AP classes are weighted the same. So, it wouldn’t make a difference.</p>

9

<p>But how will the GC answer the question on the application for class rigor? Does the school view Honors and AP as being equally rigorous?</p>

10

<p>As of now, I am not sure. I will have to ask her. I am sure she will, as my school does offer a regular English as well. There has been talk about eliminating the AP English Course for juniors because of the low enrollment. But if taking Honors means that she will not put the most rigorous down on my application, then Ill go with AP. If it does not matter, then Ill go with Honors.</p>