<p>So I'm a junior in high school and it's time to choose my classes for senior year. I have a few questions though before I do:</p>
<p>So this year, I am taking AP English, Honors Pre-Calc, Honors US History, Adv. Bio, and an easy engineering class...</p>
<p>I know that next year I want to take Math 150 (or AP Calc depending on if I pass the entrance exam), Physiology (Which is apparently pretty difficult), AP Psychology, and then here is where I need help...</p>
<p>My counselor wants me to take both AP English and AP Government, I originally thought Regular history (Economics) and Regular English (English Literature) would be good enough considering I thought my schedule would be pretty hard already. We are basing my decision as if I were planning on going to UC Davis, what would be the best choice? </p>
<p>I have a 4.1 average GPA so far for 10th grade and first semester of 11th grade and a 28 on the ACT.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hmm well I think your best bet is to take only as much as you can handle. This year (i am a senior) I’m taking, so far as AP’s, AP English, AP Biology and AP Government. To me, these aren’t too hard, I chose classes that i enjoyed most and that i have some skill in to be my AP classes. Also, you should know, that Senior year DOESNT MATTER they don’t even see your grades until you get in. HOWEVER you still have to stay above a B average or they will de-accept you. btw I applied to UC Davis this year, im soooo nervous, i really wanna get in!!!</p>
<p>Really? They do look at what classes you take though right? Do they not look at 1st semester grades? I thought they did.</p>
<p>They look and see what classes you take yea, and it depends on the school. for example, the UC application is due in November and at my school first semester ends in late January, so clearly they aren’t going to be able to factor senior year into the decision. of course i recommend doing well, not only for colleges, but i mean it feels good to have good grades, but dont overload yourself, senior year is STRESSFUL especially when it comes to all the apps and everything.</p>
<p>I think that you should go only as much as you can handle w/o going overboard. Don’t forget…senior year is supposed to be a fun last year and not pure stress. But, I’m taking physiology right now and it’s hard (lots of memorizing), and i heard ap pysch is really really interesting and not too difficult of an AP. Studying for those two are like, fun to study for i guess, if you into the sciences and are thinking of a medical major. Calc is SOOOOO hard. I’m in that too…and i hate it. But it’s really good class and super nessisary to take. If you think you can handle all that and more, then go for it. But if you did that, i would only pick one. If you did both that would be so stressful and you would never have a life and it would be no fun whatsoever. You’ll get enough of that in college so savor your last year. And if you picked one…go for AP english because i think colleges like good writing skills and thats deffinatly a plus. Hope it helps:)</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses 
So why do you think Calc is necessary over say AP Stats? Does AP Stats look bad to colleges or what? also, do you think physiology is about as hard or harder than AP Bio? Any class you could compare it too? Thanks again!</p>
<p>Stats isn’t bad…its just not seen as advanced as calc is. And calc is a generic college course and more colleges look for it. I would say physiology is as hard or maybe even a little less than ap bio. I LOVED it…its an advanced class for sure tho</p>
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<p>So I’m starting to rethink my schedule, let me know what you think:</p>
<p>AP Stats
AP Psychology
Physiology
AP English Literature
Political Science 150 (I’ve heard that this class is not all that hard even though it’s a college course)</p>
<p>I consider switching AP Stats for AP Calculus but I’m just so unsure if I could handle 1 more rigorous class…</p>
<p>What do you all think? Would colleges such as UC Davis accept this kind of schedule for senior year?</p>
<p>Well, here is my potential schedule for next year.</p>
<p>AP Econ (vs your AP Psych)
AP English
AP Japanese
AP Calc AB
Biotechnology (not sure if that equals your physiology class)
Band (lol)</p>
<p>I’m not the most hardworking, although I am pretty smart I’d like to say (I get A’s, but I slack off a lot). I’m sure you could do it if you are even moderately more hard working than me. </p>
<p>Although BC is probably harder than AB.</p>
<p>So I guess my main concern now is if taking AP Calc instead of AP Stats is really necessary and a big deal?</p>
<p>I’d say if you enjoyed math it would be better to take Calc than stat, since it’s a continuation of all you’ve been building up.</p>
<p>What I heard;
Stat is a little easier, more procedural.
Calc is slightly harder, a little more conceptual.</p>
<p>So, just choose based on your preferences. I’d say Stat is more secondary to Calc but it’s really a preference and could be argued back and forth.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Any other opinions on this? I will speak to my counselor tomorrow who Im pretty sure is just trying to kill me. She wants me to take:</p>
<p>AP English Lit
AP Psychology
Math 150
AP Government
Physiology</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure I would struggle with Math 150 instead of AP Stats or maaaaybe AP Calc. Plus many people at my school say AP gov is harder than poli sci.</p>
<p>Don’t take more than you are comfortable with. I’m gonna be a senior too and my teachers told me most schools don’t even get first semester senior year grades. Some do, but many don’t since the application deadline is before the end of the semester.</p>
<p>What this means is that taking a bunch of APs just to get a great GPA won’t actually help you too much. It of course depends on your system - ask your counseler - but taking classes that are that hard just for GPA is a waste in senior year. Take what you want and what interests you, and how much work you wanna do! That’s what I’m doing.</p>
<p>Isn’t it still very important on what classes you take because colleges will see class choices but maybe not the grades in those classes?</p>
<p>Yes!! But to be perfectly honest I don’t think the two different schedules you presented will have much sway either way. Both are rigorous.</p>
<p>It’s just that if you take “Foods, intro to programming, entry level band, freshman art, and PE” in senior year, that’s a little suspicious.</p>
<p>I think you should take rigorous classes, but don’t let yourself get too deep into the whole “As hard as possible” thing. Take what interests you especially in the AP area. I got stuck in an AP physics class and luckily transferred out - I hated it…</p>
<p>To recap I think if you think AP Gov and Math 150 isn’t for you, why take them?</p>
<p>That is so much more inspiring than my counselor. Thanks a lot Zach; that relieved a lot of stress. I’m going to take the classes I am leaning toward with my gut instinct since I actually am interested in the classes:</p>
<p>AP Statistics
Physiology
AP Psychology
Political Science 150
AP English Literature</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help. If anybody thinks there is anything else I should know or would help, feel free…actually please post it haha 
Thanks again!</p>
<p>If you aren’t a huge fan of math I suggest AP stats. It’s a fun, fairly easy class with very simple math calculations. Probably the hardest thing you learn will be 2nd semester and it can all be done on your graphing calculator. Calc would look good but probably only beneficial or you’re very good at extensive calculations.</p>
<p>Oh and AP psych is really easy! It’s pretty much just memorizing terms and theories and is really self explanatory. I’m taking it as a junior this year and it’s a piece of cake!</p>
<p>Thanks ghuskies! Do you our anybody know anything else about Political Science 150? It probably depends on the professor huh?</p>
<p>No problem. I don’t, sorry. My school doesn’t offer Political sci but if it did I would definitely take it!!</p>