10th:
English 10 H
Algebra 2/ Trig
Chemistry H
AP Government
Spanish 2 H
Art 1
Design/Engineering (required for program I’m in)
11th:
AP Lang
Precalculus
Physics H
AP World History
Spanish 3
AP Chemistry
Intro to Computer Science (or AP)
12th:
AP Lit
AP Calculus AB or BC
Spanish 4
AP Computer Science (or Intro)
Computer Graphics
Research Seminar (required for program I’m in)
Foundations of Computer Science (or AP Comp Principles)
I know it’s not like any of the 6 AP classes that you guys will be taking junior year, but honestly I don’t think I can handle that. Plus, I do enjoy somewhat of a social life so I want to know if this is a good plan. I plan to go into IT but do you guys think 7-8 APs would be enough to get into some top university. TIA!
10th:
English 10 H
Algebra 2/ Trig
Chemistry S/T
AP Government
Spanish 2 H
Art 1
Engineering Foundations 2 S/T (required for program I’m in)
Is it really necessary to take Honors English if you are already writing online every day? Why not take College Algebra, then Discrete Math/Precalc at the local college? Is it really necessary to take AP Gov? I personally think a Cyberlaw class would be a much better option even if you have to take regular gov online? Why is honors Spanish necessary? Why not take a Graphic Design class at the local community college instead of art?
11th:
AP Lang
Precalculus
Physics S/T
AP World History
Spanish 3
AP Chemistry
Intro to Computer Science (or AP)
Is AP Lang really necessary? Even then, why not take Dual Enrollment? Assuming that the Physics class is likely going to involve a lot of math, you should probably accelerate your math program. Why is Spanish 3 necessary? Why is AP Chem necessary? Why take a computer science class when you could actually start programming yourself? The class will likely sap your development and dumb you down motivation-wise.
12th:
AP Lit
AP Calculus AB or BC
Spanish 4
AP Computer Science (or Intro)
Computer Graphics
Research Practicum (required for program I’m in)
Foundations of Computer Science (or AP Comp Principles)
Why take AP Lit and read books that you don’t necessarily like? If you want to read well, just read every day. AP Calc is a good class, but you shouldn’t be waiting until Senior Year to take it. AP Computer Science is counterproductive. Why not take computer graphics earlier? Why take a computer science principles class when you can just learn it through experience and self-study it later?
With each decision you make in your class schedule, you give up something else. Suggestion: study psychology and economics as well.
10th:
My county requires us to take 4 years of English to graduate with a diploma. My parents don’t have the money to pay for college or online classes either and my county doesn’t offer online courses. Also, my county requires us to take 2 years of a world language and 1 fine arts credit (plus Art 1 is the prerequisite for Computer Graphics).
11th:
I like the Spanish language so I wanted to continue with it. AP Chem is also required for the program I’m in but I forgot to put that, we have to take 2 AP Sciences and 1 Advanced Science (AP Chem, AP Comp, Intro Comp) . Also, I need AP Comp for an internship I’m going for in senior year.
12th:
Algebra 1 is the highest my middle school offered, and again can’t afford online/college courses.
Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll switch some things up especially senior year.
@waterborne you make absolutely no sense. How about just let the person do the classes they enjoy? I’m going to graduate with almost 5 credits of social studies, one of them in an AP subject (AP Comp Gov), even though I am becoming a biomedical engineer.
I’m just curious to know if there is an honors option for math at your school? Going from CP to AP is not much of an easy jump as one might think. Why is there no Honors Spanish past 10th grade? Is there AP Physics at your school?
Other than that, it sounds like a typical smart person’s schedule. If you want to change anything, change it. If not keep it.
@BiologyMajorHere I didn’t put the H there because we have to test into Honors and I don’t want to assume I’ll get in, but most likely I will (in Geom H this year). Also my county doesn’t do Honors Spanish past 2 because you only need 2 years of a language meaning Spanish 3 and 4 and so on are electives. Yes, they have many Advanced Sciences, I just thought I would do AP Chem because I heard it’s the easiest (others are AP Bio, AP Physics C, AP Enviro, AP Comp, Microbio/Physio, Genetics, Forensics, etc.)
@Waterborne Woah.
Most, (if not all) American schools require 4 years of English to graduate. clo2021 elaborated on most of her points, but most colleges like to see 3 if not 4 years of language & state universities require at least two years. If clo scores high enough on the AP exam, then her uni/college may accept it as college credit which in returns saves clo’s parents money. Calc is doing great in terms of her math 3-year plan. Taking Calculus junior or senior year is pretty common, seeing that some people don’t make it pass PreCalc in high school. However, I do agree with you on taking Economics & Psychology.
10th:
I like it! Seems like a pretty solid schedule. Does your school only offer Spanish 2 Honors? I’d go for Spanish 3 & 4 Honors, instead of Regular Spanish since you seem to enjoy learning about it,
11th:
CS Principles is one hell of a class, but I’m certain you can handle it with how IT-oriented you are.
A lot of previous students that have taken APWH say the exam is probably the hardest. Passing the class really depends on your teacher, how much you study, and your memorization.
12th:
If you’re pretty good at math, take BC. I’m pretty sure you’d learn the same if you were in AB, just at a faster pace.
Overall, I’d say your three plan looks great. You’re on track for success!
Keep in mind that it is not important that you agree with me; it is only important that you consider all your options objectively.
@CL0211
“My county requires us to take 4 years of English to graduate with a diploma.”
Then don’t graduate. Homeschooled students take alternative routes to get into college and do so at a faster rate.
“My parents don’t have the money to pay for college or online classes either and my county doesn’t offer online courses.”
Then find the money. Your parents may not know everything about finances, and you can always get a job. Why take
high school classes full time when you can enter both college and the workforce? You could even work out a deal where you split the cost with your parents if necessary. It is not hard to come up with part time tuition or even full time. And there is a whole world out there besides school for a social life. You don’t have to get your AA in two years.
“Also, my county requires us to take 2 years of a world language and 1 fine arts credit (plus Art 1 is the prerequisite for Computer Graphics”
If you want to go to a four year university, you can also take foreign language at the community college level.
8 high school classes or a 2-2-1 + independent study schedule where you can take hard courses over a full year 0ror even two outside of class using sources such as the internet or community tutors?
11th:
“I like the Spanish language so I wanted to continue with it. AP Chem is also required for the program I’m in but I forgot to put that, we have to take 2 AP Sciences and 1 Advanced Science (AP Chem, AP Comp, Intro Comp) . Also, I need AP Comp for an internship I’m going for in senior year”.
Is it worth giving up something else over?
Do you like it enough to self-study it yourself this year? That is enough of a test to see if you are actually motivated enough to stick with it in the long haul. You do not even need to take
AP Comp = less bloated Comp 1
12th:
Algebra 1 is the highest my middle school offered, and again can’t afford online/college courses.
Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll switch some things up especially senior year.
@BiologyMajorHere The classes that people enjoy are classes that people can study on their own terms because they do not need someone forcing them to do so.
You seem like someone who really wants to succeed, and a strict high school schedule just holds you back. College is much more flexible and if you just get your GED you have enough time to go through the first two years at your own pace. High school for a responsible person like you is unnecessary.
The above is pressuring OP and their family financially to enter a DE program as early as sophomore year, taking college classes that will follow them around for several years without so much as a passing AP score or even a report of current grades to even suggest OP is capable of handling college-level material on the basis of academic achievement alone; even if a student has a history of performing well in AP and Honors classes, these classes are often brimming with grade inflation, extra credit, and make up opportunities that are largely absent from true college courses. On top of all of that, the above poster recommends that the OP takes on even more responsibility by getting a job as a minor to help pay for these college courses they may or may not be ready for. Also, there are some good pieces of advice there, but insinuating that a “responsible person” “who wants to succeed” who obviously is motivated in high school should drop out and get their GED definitely isn’t one of them. I also totally don’t understand the idea that people should not add subjects they enjoy outside of class to their HS curriculum based on the idea that the attachment of a grade or mandatory assignments to those subjects somehow drains appreciation for them, but that’s besides the point.
For what it’s worth, having experience with 8 APs and 12 DE classes, I agree that AP classes aren’t real college classes and that DE is much more efficient when it comes to being prepared for college or having an early start on an associates degree, at least for people who wish to stay in-state, people who are responsible enough to handle college years in advance, and who have reasonable access to quality programs. We honestly don’t know if OP meets any of these criteria, and we have more evidence than not that it will be a challenge for the OP to gain access to DE in the first place.
OP, I’m not trying to say you’re immature or unintelligent; I just think that most 14-16 year olds probably aren’t ready for college yet. If you REALLY want to do DE, maybe try one or two courses; it is less expensive that way and it allows you to get a feel for the program. Best of luck to you.
Again, I am just playing devil’s advocate here; if you disagree with me, whatever. I just want you to think. I would like to add to r2v2018’s comment: at community colleges, there are lower level classes; you do not necessarily have to take college Calculus. College Algebra is equivalent to on ave rage the first three quarters of Algebra 2 Honors and Intermediate Algebra the first three quarters of Algebra 1 Honors. I would also like to add that you can often tell whether you are ready by self-studying sample assignments yourself or looking at a textbook in the library.
To simplify this, go look up assignments from the courses at the college and see whether you can do them now or not without it being too difficult. If you cannot find the textbook, look up a sample syllabus with the filetype:pdf boolean operator. The only thing that this technique does not work that well on are technical and math classes. In that case, try to find opencourseware online. You might be surprised. Or you might not be. But either way, you looked. And if you are passionate about the class, you may even be able to disregard this step.
MODERATOR’S NOTE;
One is certainly welcome to post suggestions, but keep in mind that the OP is a HS sophomore who has given no indication that there are not the resources within the current school to fulfill his/her academic potential.
While what some have suggested seems to work for that poster, it is a suggestion that will really only be applicable to the 1% of the 1%. Perhaps the OP falls into that category, but the odds are against it. Please do not presume that there is a one-size-fits-all strategy that will work for every person.
Also, College Confidential is not a debate society. Feel free to give your opinion, perhaps another post to defend your opinion, but then, step back.
Am I missing US History? It’s a high school graduation requirement in all States.
It’s often taken in the 11th grade but you could take it at any time.
Your schedule is very rigorous and would satisfy any college- for top colleges, obviously, you’ll need more than course rigor, but these choices close no door and keep them all open. Just don’t forget US History
BTW, top colleges like to see 6-8 APs or equivalent (AICE, IB, Dual Enrollment, CIS, etc) TOTAL. Piling up AP’s does not help and may hinder your goal (since strong EC’s require time).
Sorry for late reply, @davidyekwonkim AP Spanish at my school is level 5 and I wasn’t able to do Spanish 1 in 8th grade because I had to switch schools
@MYOS1634 US History is taken 8th grade (early years - slavery) + freshman year (reconstruction - present), I forgot to include my freshman schedule, whoops. That’s why my school doesn’t offer APUSH, they know freshman wouldn’t be able to handle it and there’s no other time you can take it because our county has so many requirements.
Also, thanks for the advice. I’ve since changed my schedule to accommodate for ECs and social life.
