I asked about this earlier, but it’s presented more of a problem and I want some opinions.
I’m taking four AP classes as a senior (Lit, Calc, Bio and Psych). I enjoy Psych and Lit, and I’m managing to make it through Calc without a BIG problem. AP Bio is what’s killing me, though. I was so enthusiastic about Honors Bio freshman year I had no second thoughts about signing up for AP, but it’s become such a challenge to make it though the 50-some minutes I spend there every day. It doesn’t interest me, and I have no motivation to do any work. Whenever I go into the classroom, I can feel my heart beat harder and faster, and I end up spending more time looking at the clock than I do at the board (I really do try to pay attention).
I’m absolutely miserable in the class. It’s so stressful having so much homework every night, and while my original plans were to major in biology, I’ve moved quite a bit away from that. I feel like I would be in a much better mental state without AP Bio, since the class is so draining (my teacher is very demanding). I’m also worried about how that will affect my chances of admission at University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University. Can I drop and still have a shot at being accepted? And how do I ask my teacher to sign the drop form (if I choose to) without feeling like a huge disappointment?
I think it depends on what class you take in lieu of AP Bio
If you drop AP Bio for underwater basket weaving …then its probably not gonna have a good affect on your admissions. If you take another academic class in place of AP Bio then I don’t think it’ll have too much of an affect; you are already taking 3 other AP classes. Make sure to keep your grades up in these classes as a lot of colleges ask for a midyear report so they will see the dropped class as well as your semester grades.
If staying in the class makes you miserable then I would drop it, no college is worth your health and happiness.
I was thinking about being a teaching assistant for the non-auditioned band at my school. I’ve kind of taken the position of clarinet section leader in the auditioned band, and I’m considering music education (though I applied as undecided). Would this be a bad idea? I don’t think there are many options for the specific hour I would be dropping and my school doesn’t allow changing schedules just to have classes at different times.
Just ask your counselor about the consequences of dropping a course at this point. Once my students pass the mid Oct. deadline, they can still “drop” my class (AB Calc) but it is noted on the transcript. If transcripts have been sent, then colleges are notified. After Dec. 1, a drop goes on the transcript as an F. You have to make the best decision for yourself, but make an informed decision. Good luck!
@eerboco We’re actually in first semester exams right now, so I wouldn’t have an F on my transcript for second semester. I would still have to notify the colleges I applied to/have been accepted to that I changed my schedule, right? So they can look at my current schedule when making an admission decision?
I’ve talked to my counselor about dropping, and she pretty much said what everyone has told me- do what’s best for me. But to be honest I’m not really sure what that means. Would dropping one AP class for a TA position doing something I love be enough to make admissions change their mind? I would be mentally healthier but I know I would feel a big “what if” for the rest of my life if I drop and get denied from both of my dream schools. Opinions on this?