I want to fit in AP Bio and AP Chem into my schedule, but have no elective space available. I talked it out with my counselor and she said I could either test out of the prerequisite of chem or take it online during the Summer. She had previously said no, but one of the current Juniors successfully did just that. I already planned on going to Summer school to get required classes out of the way and realized I could take Government and Econ next year over the Summer to make space for AP Bio senior year.
Potential Junior Schedule:
Data Entry (Summer)
PE (Summer and online)
Regular Chem (online)
AP Chem
AP Lang
APUSH
AP Calc BC
Symphony Orchestra
A Cappella Choir
Robotics and Automation (Required)
Dual Credit French 2/3 (online)
Potential Senior Schedule:
Gov/Econ (online or Summer)
AP Bio
AP Physics C
AP Stats? (School might add independent study)
AP Lit
Symphony Orchestra
A Cappella Choir
Senior Engineering Elective (Required)
Dual Credit French 4 (online)
I want college credit for Gov/Econ, so I was thinking about self-studying for their exams. Would that be too hard? I really enjoy my science classes and plan on being a STEM major. Would it be looked down on by colleges that I didn’t have a social studies course Senior year? I would have met the 3/4 year recommendation.
Okay, I looked over the schedule. These are only my suggestions, so take them lightly. I would say to, if possible, drop the either the Orchestra or Choir class. If you plan on being a STEM major, it would better to have a science or social studies class there, like your Data Entry class, if possible. It shows that your interested in multiple fields in STEM and not in music. I would imagine colleges would get the wrong idea about that. Once music elective would be fine as it shows you can so something other than STEM classes. Also, as you’ve been probably told before, self-studying doesn’t do much when it comes to college applications. I would say only self study Gov or Econ if you want a good understanding or have an interest in either of those two subjects. Also, I wouldn’t think not having a social studies class senior year would be looked down upon. I would say to check with the universities you plan to attend. Give them a call, and ask them what they want in an applicant. i called Virginia Tech and they gave some really good answers to some of my questions. They said that the most important classes were AP Math, Science, and English classes. I’ll let you see how the call went.
Question: Should I take a high number of AP classes?
Answer: It really depends on how many AP classes your school offers. For example, if your school offers 20, mine offers 25(26), then you should likely take 5 or more.
I plan to take 4, but they told me AP Economics would count as both AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics together. So technically, it would be 5
Question: Would it be good to self study AP’s over the summer and then take the test the following May? Also, if I get a good score on those AP tests, would they factor into my admission?
Answer: We don’t look at AP test scores.
Which means self-studying AP’s wouldn’t be the best thing for me to do. Unless I wanted to get the certificate, which costs $49.
Question: Should I plan to take two Engineering class junior, or one?
Answer: We look at PLTW Engineering classes, but look at your AP Science, English, and Math classes more. But will definitely look at those if your grade was high.
@ak2018 Thanks for the advice. I don’t plan on quitting either of my music classes because they make me genuinely happy. I guess if they want to see gov/econ on my schedule senior year, I’ll just take the regular zero hour.
@Hamlon You’re welcome. BTW, I’m also taking a Robotics class called Engineering Explorations I/Robotics next year. Here was description: This course provides an orientation to the careers and challenges of engineering. Students are actively involved in hands-on activities in engineering graphics, machining, fluid power, electronics, materials testing, robotics, and computer technology. Through these activities students learn to solve problems by applying math and science principles. Students communicate information through seminars, technical reports and sharing ideas in-group activities.
Do you know what you’ll be doing for your Robotics and Automation?
@a20171 I wouldn’t say that, some classes are needed as prerequisites to other classes. I have to take HPE II as a graduation requirement over the summer this year.
@ak2018 No idea. They just changed the engineering curriculum. @a20171 I have to take them if I want to graduate on time. They’re all explicitly required classes except for regular chem and French 3/4.
Should I take dual credit gov/econ instead of dual credit French 4? I would have already met the minimum language requirements for most schools. Would it really be that bad if I took gov/econ during the summer instead of my Senior year?
@Hamlon I would say go with the dual enrollment gov/econ class senior year and take out French 4. It would look a lot better. Colleges like to see foreign language, but usually want 4 - 6 years.
@ak2018 I’m confused. If colleges want 4 years of foreign language, why would I take out French 4? I’ll talk with my counselor, but I think it might actually be possible to take dual enrollment gov/econ online or during the Summer. I’m a little wary about dual credit though because I don’t want to mess up my college GPA.
@ak2018: requirements for high school graduation are often different from requirements for college admissions which are different from requirements from college graduation.