Currently doing course selections and I’m wondering if the following schedule is too much for next year, as I would be taking 5 AP exams in May:
AP Chem (double blocked, since I haven’t taken honors chem. I’m worried about going straight to AP Chem but I probably will end up doing it)
AP Calc BC
AP Lang/ AP Seminar (in one class, probably going to do this)
Honors World History (alternative to AP Euro, not really interested in doing that)
Chinese 3
Biotechnology (required)
AP Computer Science (not really sure if i want to take this one. if i didn’t take it i would probably get a study hall because of how many AP’s i was already taking. However, i want to take it because i’m considering either a major or minor in comp sci.)
Advice? I’m currently in AP Calc AB and AP Bio and averaging A’s in both
You’ll be fine
AP Lang is time-consuming and just about wiped out my daughter when she was taking five APs, but the workload can depend on the teacher. AP Computer Science can be confusing to some people, as can Chemistry, but you should definitely take these two courses if you’re looking at STEM majors – you will enjoy them!
You should ask people at your school who have already taken the classes you are considering. They know your school well and they will be able to tell you how rigorous taking those classes would be
I would strongly advise against taking AP chem without Honors chem first. The rest of your schedule is fine.
I second the previous comment. Most people tend to do MUCH better on their AP exams in May and in the class in general after having a concrete foundation in chem, you probably won’t get one if you’ve only taken regular chem or have just haven’t at all. Otherwise you’ll be doing a lot of catching up during the year and will probably fall behind.
If you’re thinking about majoring in Comp. Science I would recommend you take the class, it will give you a leg up in college admissions and later in college.
AP Calc BC seems pretty difficult to be taking as a junior unless you’re extremely qualified and advanced in math. Have you taken all the foundations yet- Algebra, Geometry, Algebra/Trig, Pre-Calc? Maybe think about taking AP Stat instead if your school offers it and hold off on BC until senior year.
AP Lang for me was not a difficult course at all but I guess that’s arbitrary depending on your teacher and school.
Good luck your schedule seems rigorous but if you can pull it off that’s fantastic.
@arios98o the OP said that they’re currently taking AP Calc AB so they can probably handle AP Calc BC (since two thirds of it will probably be a review of AP Calc AB).
@MYOS1634 Ok well it was kind of misleading to say I haven’t taken honors chem. Freshman year, I took “physical science” which was half chemistry, so I know some basic chemistry. I also will be preparing over the summer through various resources, so I’m not going into the class completely blind. Also, my class is the first graduating class, so everybody in my AP Chem class will be taking it without having honors first, so the teacher will be taking that into consideration.
@arios98o Yeah I’ve decided to push AP Comp Sci to senior year since I think going from taking 3 AP Exams (I’m basically self studying AP Lit in addition to my other two) this year to 5 next year is a bit of a stretch
You’re looking at taking 7 classes? There are better uses of your time. Go out and play or something.
You can always take some of these senior year. Colleges won’t look down on you if you take 3 Aps junior year and another 3 senior year versus being a robot and/or burning out.