<p>Help! I'm in a bit of a predicament in terms of my classes for senior year (I'm currently a junior, but I recently scheduled classes for next year with my counselor). I had to make a decision between taking five AP classes (European History, Spanish, English, Calc AB, and Physics), or taking only four AP classes (kicking out AP Physics in exchange for a class for the school newspaper). </p>
<p>If I take only four APs and the newspaper course, I will have five years of English, but only three years of science (but they're still all honors courses). Since I'm most likely going to major in English, would it be all right to surpass five AP's for four--I may get the position of editor-in-chief if I take up the newspaper job.</p>
<p>I'm applying to more top-tier schools like Emory, Amherst, Carleton, Bowdoin, UChicago, and maybe Williams, so if anyone could give me a few pointers or some advice, that would be incredibly helpful. Thanks a ton!</p>
<p>Physics is important to colleges. I would try and take that course over the summer and then take the newspaper job during the regular school year.</p>
<p>Start your essays early! Write your common app essay over the summer and start your other essays as well. Try to interview at every school if you can–though it doesn’t influence the decision that much, if you don’t do an interview you will just look uninterested. Keep in contact with the admissions counselors and show them you’re interested. Get excellent grades your senior year. </p>
<p>I applied to three of the schools on your list :)</p>
<p>I’ve already taken honors physics (I mean, I’m taking it now). Should I also go for AP, then?</p>
<p>If you have biology, chemistry, and physics and they were all lab classes, you should be okay. And believe it or not, you can email the admissions office of the colleges you’re interested in and ask what their requirements are. If they just say something like “we want you to take the most rigorous course load possible” it means that not taking the extra AP class is acceptable assuming you really show your commitment to the newspaper.</p>
<p>If you’ve already taken honors physics, you should be okay. I would pursue the newspaper, if that is your passion.</p>