Junior Year Schedule...HELP

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I'm not too sure where I should be posting this, but this seems to be the most appropriate forum. Anyway, I know that junior year is one of, if not the most, important year of high school as it goes for college admissions. Anyway, I'm a sophomore at a HADES school and will be signing up for next year's courses soon. </p>

<p>So far I have not taken any APs. I've completed the two year humanities program, which prevented me from taking any APs. I have taken regular level science and math for two years, one year of regular level Chinese and one year (this year) of honors second year Chinese, and the humanities course accounts for my history, English, photography and philosophy classes. </p>

<p>Next year I know for sure that I will be taking third year honors Chinese (senior year will be the AP level), AP English Literature and Composition, and advanced algebra and trigonometry. </p>

<p>Now here comes the hard part. I know APs are a big factor when it comes to college acceptance. I don't have the confidence to take an AP science as it's one of my worst subjects. I plan on taking four years of regular level science, but is that just a futile attempt? Should I just suck it up and take an AP science even though I don't think I could manage an A in the class? There are AP bio, chem, physics, and environmental science courses offered and I intended to take APES, but I've heard that colleges actually look down on it and consider it an "easy" AP. Would it be pointless to take the class, then?</p>

<p>Another problem is with my history. As of right now, I really want to get involved with international relations, specifically between China and the U.S. The only AP history courses are AP U.S. and European history. I have absolutely no interest in either of those and would much rather take a modern asian history course, which is offered. Should I go with the course I truly want to take or should I take an AP that I have no desire to take instead?</p>

<p>As for my other classes, I really want to take an international affairs and ethics course that is offered by the philosophy department and AP comparative government and politics.</p>

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<p>I believe your main question is about AP classes in general, and history and science classes specifically, am I correct? In that case, I would suggest, as you sound like a motivated student, that you definately take an AP science. Don’t let it intimidate you. I don’t know about your school, but our teachers give speils before the school year starts and a lot of summer homework to scare away kids who aren’t really committed, and keep class sizes low, and then the AP sciences are actually easier than they seem. I’m taking APES right now, and it’s probably the “easiest” of the AP sciences, but I don’t think colleges look down on it. Something like AP Bio or AP Chem would certainly be much more difficult, but they are lab sciences, of which you should have at least 3 years. Just remember that you get AP credit whether you pass the AP test or not, and that some teachers will offer to “bump” up an AP grade if you score well on the AP test. Just an idea.
Finally, even if AP Euro or AP History are not related to your intended major, I highly reccomend taking at least one of them. You don’t have to “major” in high school anyway. Just show that you’re well rounded. Either of these history classes would show that, plus APUSH, at least at my school, fills your government/economics requirements.
Just some things to think about, answered by a current junior/almost senior in HS. If you have more questions, I’d be glad to help! :)</p>

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<p>I was also thinking of taking AP Macro and Micro Economics (It’s a combined course)</p>

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<p>bump 10 char</p>