<p>Ok, here are the 5 AP classes that I know I am taking for sure:
AP English Lit. & Comp.
AP Calc BC
AP Biology
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP French Lang. + Culture</p>
<p>Now I am having trouble deciding what two other classes that I should take (we can take up to 7 classes at my school). For the 6th class I am considering taking Differential Equations G/T or Advanced Object Oriented Design (AOOD) or AP stats. I have taken Computer Science 1, AP Computer Science A, and Computer Science 4 GT so far, so I really want to take AOOD. However, I really like math, so I also want to take Differential equations or AP stats. Right now I'm thinking that I should take AOOD for the 6th class and Differential Equations G/T for the 7th class. These classes can be taken any period because they are independent learning (the teacher in charge still gives us tests/quizzes), so they would make it more likely that I will get the first 5 AP classes that I really want (lessening scheduling conflicts). However, this means that I will not get to take a social studies or history class. Would this look bad on a college application? I know that most colleges want 4 years of social studies/history, but I plan on majoring in science or engineering, so would it really matter? Also, I want to take as many AP classes that I can to get college credit and also because they are more fun.
So another plan that I have is taking Differential equations G/T for the 6th class and taking a social studies/history class for the 7th class. But I'm also having trouble deciding which social studies class to take. I'm considering AP European History, AP Human Geography, or AP Psychology, but I'm leaning more toward AP Euro because I like history classes more usually. I have taken 2 history classes (US History GT and AP World History) and one social studies class (AP US Gov't), so should I take a social studies class senior year? Do colleges care?</p>
<p>I would recommend taking a social studies class of some sort senior year. Even if you are going into a STEM field in college, I think it looks better if you take classes in all subjects to make you look more well-rounded. If you said you were leaning towards AP Euro, then I would take that class. Just make sure you are going to enjoy your classes next year; I have learned that boring classes are VERY hard to get through the hard way.
Best of luck!</p>
<p>This is a very tricky situation. I would be very careful with your math courses. I would not recommend Diffeq’s and BC calc in the same year. I don’t know how many kids have taken diffeq at your school, but it doesn’t sound like a lot based on your portrayal of the class. If it is a blow off class, chances are colleges know from previous students from your school. It is also very hard to place out of this class. It also doesn’t make sense that you are learning introductory calculus and delving into ordinary/partial diff and so forth. That would also then make your BC class look rudimentary–> CALTECH(if you are looking into it) points out the mishandling AP Calc takes in the course of study. You are also deep in science/math, and since you have shown interest in compsci, I would go with AOOD and a social science, to make you appear more well-rounded. Make sure you can sustain yourself in all your classes, and take the classes that you will learn in.</p>
<p>Differential equations is the opposite of a “blow-off” class; it is the most difficult math class that my school offers. It used to be just offered at the community college, but now it is being offered as part of a “distant learning” program, which means the students taking it will have to watch lectures on a computer and teach themselves. The head of the math department said that he’ll give us weekly tests and lots of graded HW and CW to make sure that we’re learning. So right now I’m trying to decide between taking AOOD plus AP Euro and and taking Differential Equations plus AP Euro. You’re saying that it would look better if I took AOOD? I really like computer science but I also like math…</p>
<p>Okay, that makes more sense. I would choose whatever you feel will get you through senior year ( I know I would have changed a few classes). Keep up your good work too.</p>