<p>Hi, I'm currently a high school sophomore who wants to get into UC Berkeley. This year, I am only taking AP's and achieving easy A's. Last semester I finished with a 4.0 and this semester I have a 3.83 which is going to turn into an A with time. Since I'm only experiences with CP courses (even though I find them extremely easy), do you guys think that this course load will be to much for me to handle? </p>
<p>AP United States History (At my school, the teacher is considered to be very good, I think I am prepared for this since I'm taking two history classes right now, one with a high A and the other is my only current B).
AP English III (My teacher highly recommends I do it)
Honors Algebra II (I am a terrific math student, I sleep through Geometry and still have a 98% in the class, last semester my average quiz score was a 100% without extra credit and the average in my class is a 80%)
AP Psychology (Psychology really interests me, I would definitely love this class)
CP ASL II (It's sign language, I took a semester of Spanish in ninth grade, although I had gotten an A, it was the hardest class that I have ever taken, this is why I switched to sign language)
MAYBE Honors Chemistry (I'm debating over whether or not I should take this, I heard mixed reviews from it being extremely easy to extremely hard).</p>
<p>In short,
AP US History
Ap English III
Honors Algebra II
AP Psychology
Honors Chemistry possibly.
CP ASL II.</p>
<p>Note that I tend to procrastinate a lot and that I find school to be extremely easy, also I have no problem sacrificing a large part of my social life Junior year in order to pull off getting straight A's in these classes :P.</p>
<p>Also, my school is considered to be one of the best schools in California, ranked 15 in the state, our CP classes are at the same difficulty level of our neighboring school's Honors classes. (last part probably just a myth, but many people who had went to that high school claim to to be true).</p>
<p>That looks like a good schedule for UCB, although the rigor of your math class is lacking compared to other applicants. Note that the jump from sophomore year to junior year is significant and realize that you will have to make sacrifices to maintain solid grades. Start building better work habits NOW.</p>
<p>Ow, yeah. Forgot to mention, if I’m not going to take Honors Chemistry, then I’m going to take CP Chemistry. Not AP. Do you suggest I take the three AP’s and two Honors, or will it not make too much of a difference if I don’t take Honors Chemistry? Also, I’m planning to either take AP or Honors Physics senior year, so I will have taken an Honors or AP science class by the time that I’ll be applying. </p>
<p>BTW, how much harder will this course be than lets say, a normal junior year course plan? Ex. twice as hard, one and a half times as hard, etc.</p>
<p>I’m not quite understanding how you have such a strong academic ability, yet you’re only going to be in Algebra II junior year. The norm at most schools (at least where I am) is that level 1 math students take Pre-Calculus junior year (some even sophomore year) and take a type of standard Calculus senior year (be it level 1, AB, or BC).</p>
<p>I scored high on my math PSAT (650).
Well, it’s a long story, but basically I took Algebra I eight grade (the normal) and then I took Integrated Math 1 at another high school that I went to for a semester, and then when I went to my current high school, they put me in Algebra again because Integrated math 1 is basically in between Algebra I and Geometry and my counselor thought that I would be behind if put in geometry.
My counselor also ****led me over as she didn’t give me a Geometry assessment test (which I would have indefinably done well in and passed). It’s not fair why I’m only taking Geometry in tenth grade, and I think it is good enough to put on my college app.
Also, I’ll be taking a semester of Calculus in high school as I am planning to take Math Analysis Honors which is basically Calculus A/B condensed into a semester after taking a semester of pre-calc.</p>
<p>honestly, take the hardest classes your school offers for the track you’re on. you can’t really do anything about your math class, unless you take algebra II during the summer, and then take pre-calc junior year.</p>
<p>my junior year courseload was :
-honors chemistry (not bad compared to AP)
-honors spanish III
-honors pre-calculus
-ap physics
-ap us history
-ap english language</p>
<p>it was the hardest courseload offered for juniors, although some were in AP calc AB, and honors spanish IV (but i came from out of district, and they had us on a different track)</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply, but how was honors chemistry at your school? I mean, your course load is going to be harder than mine, but I wouldn’t mind taking chemistry honors if it isn’t that much of a jump off the CP version. I know I’ll probably ace all of my classes without Chemistry Honors since I’m just really good in the subjects I signed up for, but chemistry has always been a little difficult for me.</p>
<p>I would say that it depends on the academic rigor of your high school. I know some local high schools, both private and public, where students take all APs/Honors and still easily maintain a solid 4.0 GPA. In more rigorous high schools, students, who I believe are smarter than those in the easier high schools, take only 2-3 APs with a few honors and they work 24/7 to maintain a 4.0 GPA. When you apply to college, they usually understand the academic rigor of your school whether it is through class rank or another means.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! Btw, Triplenick. My high school is regarded as the top 2% of high schools in California. So, I decided to keep all my courses except move APUSH to Honors US History for now.
Thank You!</p>