<p>Just for reference: I'm currently a sophomore with these states:
GPA - 4.0 UW for now
PSAT - 80 M/71 W/68 CR</p>
<p>My schedule for next year is:
Honors English 11
US History
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry
AP Human Geography
Honors Spanish 4</p>
<p>One of my "friends" says that my schedule is way too easy because I'm not taking APUSH or AP Lit, two classes that both scare the hell out of me. He also says that my schedule isn't as rigorous as it looks because our AP Physics C teacher gives almost all A's. But colleges don't know that and I'm 1 year ahead of the normal honors track for math, so I don't see his point. </p>
<p>My parents said that I might be at a disadvantage for skipping APUSH and AP Lit, but I am at a huge advantage to my peers in that I'm a year ahead in math and physics compared to the rest of the honors group. Also, I was denied a request to take 6 Honors/AP classes, which is why I didn't take APUSH. </p>
<p>I think the schedule looks plenty difficult for colleges. Is my friend just being an obnoxious elitist or does he actually have a point? Note: I don't really have a huge interest in the Ivy Leagues or top colleges, but my parents are putting pressure on me to do sports/get no A-'s/take Honors classes outside of math/science which I despise so I have more "options". Honestly, I just want to be an actuary or accountant and go to IU. Is my decision not to take APUSH really that big a deal? I'm just tired of parents and others getting on my case because they think I'm "better" than my course selections. It seems like they fail to understand that quantitative ability =/= humanities ability. Sometimes I just wish I could be an "average" kid and not have to worry about this stuff. [/end rant]</p>
<p>Your friends are mean and horrible people because the average above-average kid would die of AIDS with that schedule.</p>
<p>(^No, that was not a classy way of putting it)</p>
<p>Seriously, that is most definitely a rigorous schedule. If you want to take APUSH, can you hold off on US History until your senior year? In terms of English, take an AP English senior year as well.</p>
<p>USH/APUSH are junior year classes. Honestly, the class is a lot harder than the test so I think I’ll just take the AP test for it.</p>
<p>I’m better at writing than reading/taking tests on novels so I think I’ll take AP Comp senior year. </p>
<p>Honestly, I hate it when people judge you on a standard based on how “smart” they think you are. It almost makes you resent your aptitude because it makes people think you’re infallible. </p>
<p>Yeah, if CC says the schedule is rigorous, then it must be rigorous, considering how much flack this site has gotten for being elitist.</p>
<p>Idea! Would it be less stressful for you to drop AP Geo for APUSH? I’m just thinking, if you in fact do take AP English senior year, which you’re worried about, you could take AP Geo then since it’s an easier AP.</p>
<p>Also, according to my guidance counselor, taking self studying really doesn’t help you in college admissions. Only if you want the credit so you can take other classes in college should you self study.</p>
<p>I was going to take the APUSH test for the credit.</p>
<p>My parents want me to drop AP Geo and take a study hall instead and bump up to APUSH(I cannot take more than 6 Honors/AP’s as my waiver was denied, but I kind of wanted it to get denied anyway). </p>
<p>Frankly, APUSH is loads more work than USH and AP Human Geography is likely to be fairly easy since the teacher is pretty lax and it’s the only AP the school is offering to freshmen. Also, my parents get on my case big time in any class I have an A- or almost have an A- in, so that would make APUSH, a class where getting above a 93 is really hard, a nightmare for me.</p>
<p>Hey! Your schedule is very challenging. If you were my kid, I’d tell you to drop either AP Chem or AP Physics C. Save it for 12th grade. You don’t have to take both of them at the same time with Calc BC. FWIW, this is from a dad who has two kids at tippy top schools. That being said, if you are planning to apply to top 30 colleges in the country, most rigorous curriculum is very important. But, the one who says so is not your friends, or some strangers on cc like me, or even college admission officers. Make an appointment with your guidance counselor. Find out from her what it takes for her to check that box, “most rigorous curriculum”, on the counselor’s recommendation form. You could take 10 APs and it doesn’t do it; or you could take only 2 APs and that’s all it needs. It really depends on your HS. The college admission folks will take your counselor’s words for it.</p>
<p>Your friends are being elitist jerks. That’s an incredibly difficult schedule. Your parents should just let you be yourself and take the classes that you want to take.</p>