Hi, I am currently a sophomore in high school. Recently, the school had a curriculum fair where students went around to different classes during study hall. We will also be choosing what classes we take next year next week. This really made me think because for a long time I’ve heard that junior year is the most important for college, and therefore you should aim for taking many APs and getting good grades in them. I’ve decided that I will most likely take AP Statistics and Pre-calc at the same time for math. But, I don’t know if I would be fit with the other AP classes in different subjects. APUSH (AP US History) is a very challenging course that I am not really thinking about taking, but I could be persuaded. AP Lang is another course that I know is challenging but I am thinking about taking it. On the science side, I’m sure that I want to take AP Biology and Anatomy at the same time (as recommended by the teacher), but I don’t know if I should take it next year or senior year. I don’t want to take AP Chemistry because I have a B- in honors chemistry right now, and I hate it. I am also pretty sure that I want to major in Nursing, but I have no idea how nursing school works and what type of degree I should aim for. If you guys could please give me your advice and help, it would be greatly appreciated. Please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong section, I will be glad to move it. Thank you very much, and have a good evening.
It’s always good to aim high in terms of APs, but you do have to realize that you have to get good grades as well. GPA is heavily weighted during the admissions process. Do you think that you’ll be able to handle APUSH and do well in it? If yes, go for it.
When the teachers talk about how hard their class is, they always say that it is close to impossible to get an A in their class. The reason I don’t want to kill myself (like some of my friends) with AP classes is because I don’t want to ruin my GPA. But I don’t know if colleges would accept that ideology.
Colleges will like it if you challenge yourself. Not every ivy admit is a perfect 4.0 A student. If you think that you can handle the workload, it would be in your best interest to go for it. Since you seem like a math-orientated person, I think you should take AP Stats, Precalc, AP Bio, Anatomy (for nursing) as four of your classes. As for APUSH, think about whether or not you are up to the challenge. AP Lang is more writing-based, so if you are a good writer or like reading, you should consider AP Lang over APUSH. But that’s just my take on things.
Thank you for the help, but do you think I should take AP Bio and anatomy next year or senior year?
Nursing is a specialized bachelor’s degree. You apply to a nursing program when you apply to college. There’s a whole forum on CC for nursing majors. You should check it out. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/nursing-major/
Thank you so much!