Importance of a Fourth Year of Language in Senior Schedule? & Senior Schedule Questions

Hello, I currently have an issue with my senior schedule as there are conflicts with my classes.

I wanted to take AP French as I already have taken 3 years of a foreign language, and this would be my fourth year. However, it conflicts with me taking AP Physics 2 and AP Government. If I were to take AP French, I would give up AP Physics 2 and AP Government, and instead, I would be taking AP Physics C and AP French. I was wondering which would be better, if I were to take AP French and AP Physics C or AP Physics 2 and AP Government. Physics isn’t my strongest subject, and I feel as though I would do a bit poorer in AP Physics C than AP Physics 2, and a bit poorer in AP French than AP Government. I wouldn’t completely fail the classes, but it’ll just be like I’d get a bit of a lower average taking those classes (French and Physics C) than I would with Gov and Physics 2. AP French and AP Physics C are very hard classes in my school, and I don’t know if I’d do as well in them, but I would be willing to put in the extra effort if it really is my last resort. I’m thinking of applying to highly selective schools, such as UPenn, NYU, Ivys, University of Cali - LA/Berkeley, etc, and I was wondering what would be better for be in the end with admissions. My schedule already has plenty of AP classes, and I was wondering what the best decision would be for me. It’s not possible for me to take AP Gov with AP Physics C either. How would me not taking a fourth year of a language affect me in the admissions process?

Schedule 1 w/ French and Physics C
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Statistics
AP Microeconomics
AP Calculus
Gym
AP French
AP Physics C
Honors Holocaust & Genocide/Honors Philosophy

Schedule 2 w/ Government and Physics 2
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Statistics
AP Microeconomics
AP Calculus
Gym
AP Government
AP Physics 2
Honors Holocaust & Genocide/Honors Philosophy

Schedule 1 is more academically rigorous. My school didn’t have Physics B, nor does it have Physics 1&2. We do have Physics C: M/E&M, and people go there from Academic or Honors Physics junior year.

From the threads I’ve seen people usually go from AP Physics 1 → AP Physics C from junior to senior year. If they doubled up sciences (taking Chem or Bio) from sophomore year it usually goes AP Physics 1 → AP Physics 2 → AP Physics C. Taking AP Calculus with AP Physics C is good because it is calculus based, as opposed to algebra based for AP Physics 1 and 2. Assuming you’ve taken physics before, AP Physics C is a difficult, more detailed extension but overall still manageable.

I don’t know too much about AP Gov other than it’s a pretty simple AP, almost like AP Stat in difficulty. AP Languages are difficult for most non-speakers; however there are exceptions. Most people in my grade only end up to Level 5 Honors of a language while some ‘lucky’ (or unlucky, depending on your viewpoint) people get to AP, so if you like the language you should take it.

2 years of language is required for admission to most colleges and 3 is recommended. Since you are applying to selective colleges I would recommend you take all 4 years. Although this would mean taking AP Physics and increasing your workload it will also increase your course rigor. AP Stat and Micro are ‘light’ APs so there shouldn’t be too much stress from there.
All in all AP Calc, Physics C, French and Lit aren’t too bad along with the aforementioned APs.
Good luck!

I can tell you that AP Gov has an extremely easy AP exam. I put exactly 0 effort into that class second semester of senior year, and the teacher didn’t care about anything, although her content knowledge was very strong. I got a 4 on the AP exam without any studying. If I needed a 5, I could’ve gotten it with slightly more preparation, but I only needed a 3 for college credit anyway. I haven’t taken french, physics 2, or physics c, but I did take physics 1. I’m assuming you took AP Physics 1, because either of these physics classes would be extremely difficult without it. Also, what is your major? If it isn’t STEM, I would definitely take schedule 2. If it is, I would consider schedule 1.

Would you mind telling us what your major is?
I’ve heard AP Physics C is very difficult, so I would take it if you only have a very solid foundation in physics and math. Regarding French, I think you should try to take a final year, but I don’t know what your ECs are or your schedule, could you share? I think I’m taking Spanish V or AP in my senior year, just out of personal enhancement and I think my major requires a language.

I was thinking of majoring in Psychology (Clinical), or just something in the science field because I see myself going into the medical field.