HS Course Load

Applying to College
1

<p>Okay, so I'm in eighth grade and I was super bored yesterday and I was planning my HS course load if I get into the prep school I applied to. </p>

<p>I'm not obsessed with college admissions or anything, I just want to know how my projected course load is.</p>

<p>English I
World History
Geometry Honors
Biology
French II
Spanish II
Advanced Jazz Band</p>

<p>English II
AP Modern European History
Algebra II Accelerated
Chemistry Accelerated
French III
Spanish III
Advanced Jazz Band</p>

<p>English III AP
AP American History
Analysis Accelerated
Honors Physics
AP French Language
AP Spanish Language
Advanced Jazz Band</p>

<p>AP English
Macroeconomics AP/AP US Government (1 semester each)
AP Biology or AP Chemistry
AP French Literature
AP Spanish Literature
Wellness/Psychology (2 semesters required)
AP AB Calculus</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
English III AP
AP American History
Analysis Accelerated
Honors Physics
AP French Language
AP Spanish Language
Advanced Jazz Band</p>

<p>AP English
Macroeconomics AP/AP US Government (1 semester each)
AP Biology or AP Chemistry
AP French Literature
AP Spanish Literature
Wellness/Psychology (2 semesters required)
AP AB Calculus

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You have no idea of what you're getting into...after completing 4 APs and 3 Honors/Advanced/Accelerated course in Junior year, you will most likely have a grudge against taking 6 AP classes next year. Then there's the fact that your interest and passion will change within the next four years that will steer you away from your original plan.</p>

3

<p>I think I might drop AP Macroeconomics and add Middle Eastern Studies (1 semester), or drop AP Macro and AP US Government and add Middle Eastern Studies and Hot Spots: Global Crises.</p>

<p>If I were to do that it would leave me with 10 AP's. What's the average for kids getting accepted to top schools?</p>

4

<p>Do you have a course description for "Analysis Accelerated"? I only know Analysis as the theory behind Calculus, which is why one usually takes at least 3 semesters of Calculus before the first Analysis class...</p>

5

<p>3-5 APs is average or maybe just a little high for people accepted into top schools (if top schools means, say, top 25). I know that at MIT it is 4-5.</p>

<p>I would strongly suggest NOT planning what courses you plan on taking in 8th grade, because, as somebody earlier suggested, your interests might change, or you might get tired of all those APs. It's comparable to choosing your grad school while still in high school.</p>

6

<p>I am the parent of a high school senior. One thing we found is that his academic interests didn't change, but because a certain department was not up to expectations, a student might want to not take a certain course. So, I think planning to give you a general idea is good, as long as you recognize that you might have to make some changes. Also, planning early on is beneficial if your school requires a certain type and number of electives, which you have to fit in.</p>

7

<p>I agree with CMA1. I think it's great that your planning ahead just remember to keep an open mind. When I went in for my sophmore year of HS I was taking AP Euro and I was convinced that I wanted to be a history major, but during my second trimester I had a biology course and that changed my ideas completely I now want to be a geneticist. Moral of the story, be open to everything. In regards to how many AP classes you plan to take I would trim it down. A college will be more impressed with exceptional performance in a few AP classes rather than good performance in a lot of AP's. For example why do you need to take 4 AP foreign language courses thats a ton I would trim it to one, but thats me of course. Good luck in your HS endeavors.</p>

8

<p>
[quote]
Do you have a course description for "Analysis Accelerated"? I only know Analysis as the theory behind Calculus, which is why one usually takes at least 3 semesters of Calculus before the first Analysis class...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is a rigorous course, more theoretical than previous math courses, which is designed to bridge the gap between advanced algebra and calculus. The class builds upon topics introduced in Algebra II and culminates with an introduction to the ideas of limits, derivatives, and integrals. The graphing calculator (TI-83, 83+, or 84) is used extensively. Topics of study include coordinate geometry, conic sections, polynomials and their graphs, inequalities, the algebra of functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, circular functions, triangle trigonometry, polar coordinates, complex numbers, DeMoivre's Theorem, sequences and series, and math induction.</p>

<p>This school is really rigorous, most seniors graduate with about 4 - 5 AP's. The courses are really fast paced since it's "accelerated" so that's probably why it takes two semesters instead of three.</p>

<p>I just checked and it said regular analysis only takes one year, too. The whole school is pretty advanced, though, so I don't know...</p>

<p>I've been wanting to be in the same field all my life. I LOVE foreign languages, english, and history, and I think my courses show that.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
For example why do you need to take 4 AP foreign language courses thats a ton I would trim it to one, but thats me of course.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm interested in both Spanish and French and when I start ninth grade next year I will be taking Spanish II and French II. If I would start at French I/Spanish I then I would only be taking two foreign language AP's by the time I graduate.</p>

<p>I don't know if I would cancel the French/Spanish Literature for my senior year and take some different electives or do the entire sequence...</p>

10

<p>No you said you were going to take both the french and spanish language and literature thats 4, and since you're an eighth grader you have not yet experienced an AP class, they are intense. I'm not saying you can't do it, all I'm saying is that it's a lot to do and after you've had a couple AP's you might change your mind.</p>

11

<p>or as an 8th grader you could stop spending so much time on this website</p>

<p>and 2763 posts is a legitimate indication of an obsession...</p>

12

<p>Most of my posts are in the Prep School Admissions forum and the cafe.</p>

<p>I'm not obsessed.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
The courses are really fast paced since it's "accelerated" so that's probably why it takes two semesters instead of three.

[/quote]

You got me wrong. Usually you take Calculus first (3 semesters at least) and THEN Analysis, not vice versa. But the course description doesn't sound like the "real" hard-core Analysis stuff, more like Pre-Calc.</p>

14

<p>Is their a jazz band that isn't advanced? If so, what is the difference?</p>

15

<p>Is Jazz band considered a fine art class? Because at my school you need a fine art credit (meaning a whole year) to get a diploma. Also...is PE a requirement?</p>

<p>This schedule seems so...academic. I think it's a good idea to take an elective besides jazz band.</p>

16

<p>Throw in AP Music Theory somewhere. My friends take it and they love it...they want me to try to pick the class up now but it's too late.</p>

17

<p>Yup, what your school calls analysis is generally considered to be Pre-Calc. </p>

<p>As some other posters have suggested, be open to change in your plan. As you register for the next year, think about how you're doing with your current schedule and how much more you want to take on the next year. For instance, if you're taking your projected sophomore year courseload and feeling busy/overwhelmed, you might need to ease up on your junior schedule. As a rule, drop down in the subjects you're least interested in, especially those where you won't get locked out of moving back up. So, if you're interested in humanities, drop the science APs! You'll still learn plenty in an honors or accelerated or whatever the next level down is. Also, one of the languages would be pretty easy to drop--whichever one you find less appealing after a year or two of study. </p>

<p>Having these "escape hatches" is good when you plan on taking such a rigorous curriculum. Work hard but strive for balance. Taking the toughest courseload will do you no good if you get burned out on academics before you even get to college. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

18

<p>Don't you have to take English classes?</p>

<p>Don't stress too much about courseload...I had my whole projected thing, then it totally changed as high school went on. It didn't become harder...just different. The difficulty level looks fine, and that's more than "enough" APs for top schools.</p>

19

<p>Yes, Jazz Band is cnosidered a fine arts course.</p>

<p>Jazz Band description: The Jazz Program is designed to help students develop the reading, rhythmic, and improvisation skills essential to the serious jazz musician. Bands are formed each year based on enrollment and may include jazz combos and/or a Big Band. The bands are active performers within the school and community.</p>

<p>Advanced Jazz Band: This course expands on the work done in Jazz Band. Students work on improvisational skills, music theory, and prepare and perform a variety of music. This group performs regularly, in the community and for school functions.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Don't you have to take English classes?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, I have one each year.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Throw in AP Music Theory somewhere.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
As some other posters have suggested, be open to change in your plan. As you register for the next year, think about how you're doing with your current schedule and how much more you want to take on the next year. For instance, if you're taking your projected sophomore year courseload and feeling busy/overwhelmed, you might need to ease up on your junior schedule. As a rule, drop down in the subjects you're least interested in, especially those where you won't get locked out of moving back up. So, if you're interested in humanities, drop the science APs! You'll still learn plenty in an honors or accelerated or whatever the next level down is. Also, one of the languages would be pretty easy to drop--whichever one you find less appealing after a year or two of study.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice. Yeah, I think I will drop the one or two science AP's and make them honors/accelerated. I looked up some of the suggestions courses for colleges and they recommend four years of science, especially physics.</p>

<p>I really want to take the two foreign languages, but I want to take more electives as well. Perhaps I could take French in school and take Spanish online w/ michigan virtual high school.. but I don't know if I would have time for that.</p>

<hr>

<p>Two semesters of psychology/health is required, not PE. (one semester each)</p>

<p>Not offered.</p>

20

<p>^^ awww...no PE! Thats a shame. Just kiddddin. </p>

<p>I would have rather taken something like Psych versus PE...which was an absolute waste of time. I spent half the year playing sports with girls who worried more about their hair than their future. We took tests on the rules of badminton (although it was cool to know), and they taught us nothing about nutrition really, and we spent 2 weeks watching videos about anorexia. I mean...I guess it was cool...but so unnecessary. </p>

<p>I think they have finally figured this out and now have changed the curriculum to only 1 semester of PE and the other of Life and Health. I hate when courses you have to take don't have to be taken by subsequent classes. This is the third time!</p>