Parents-I really need adult input-Please Help!!!

<p>I really need help. I am trying to figure out my schedule for next year. Right now I'm signed up for AP Stats, AP English, AP French, and AP Government and Politics and Human Physiology, Spanish One, adn a semsester of a Teacher Internship Program. I am debating whether or not to take AP Biology in place of Spanish, Human Physiology and the teacher internship (AP Bio takes up a lot of schedule space) becasue I want to be able to get into highly selective schools (like ivyy-leagues or univ. or chicago) and I'm also afraid that it looks bad to only have 3.5 years of science instead of four. I think having all AP's will look much better on my transcipt, but I am afraid I will drive myself insane next year with the amount of work I have to do in additon to my involvement in extracurriculars, which inlcude school plays, speech team( which I'm captain of), NHS, drama club, and piano lessons. I'd also like to enjoy life at least a little bit next year, and not have to be continually stressed out.</p>

<p>I probably will not end up majoring in anything math or science-I'm leaning towards political science, international studies or French, however there is always a possibility for pre-med. Any advice?? I could really use it, since time is running out for me to change my schedule.</p>

<p>Furthermore, I've been reading that collges look much more favorably upon students who take calc instead of stats. If I took calc I'd take AB, since math is not my strongest subject area. Should I take it instead of stats?</p>

<p>PS In case this helps in any way, I have taken all honors and two AP classes up until this point and I have a high GPA and a 32 on my ACT. I haven't gotten SAT results back yet.</p>

<p>PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks you so much-Trying to make this decision has been incredibly agonizing. I really would appreciate other people's insights and comments. Sorry the post is so long.</p>

<p>IMO, you are likely to be stretched too thin next year.</p>

<p>If it were me, I would not take Physiology or Internship. IMO, these things can be better studied at a later date if necessary.</p>

<p>Is there a compelling reason to start Spanish as a senior? If you are going to learn Spanish, it seems more logical to me to start as a freshman in college, where you will be be able to work your way through a single program with classmates who are your own age. </p>

<p>I would take Calculus rather than Stats. Calculus is more fundamental, so it should be first IMO. You will be able to take Stats in college in a course more aimed at your particular field of study.</p>

<p>Given that you have taken two APs so far, jumping up to five will be a major change. Is that really necessary? I do not believe that you must have 5 APs to be considered at top schools. IMO it will be far more beneficial to do well in all of a lesser number of demanding classes than it will be be to show an unusually large number of classes in which your grades may not be the best you can achieve. Are you sure that you can show your best to the world in five AP classes, along with everything else you are doing? If so, great. If not, consider reducing your academic load. And don't forget that you'll likely be spending a great deal of time in the fall working on college applications.</p>

<p>My son, for example, took 4 APs, band, a nonAP elective, and a study hall this year. He has time-consuming ECs too. The study hall was a big help in getting everything done. He was accepted at top schools. This may not be the best way for you, but this way can be successful.</p>

<p>Most schools will prefer Calculus to AP Stats, so you should take it. AP Stats is best considered an add-on or extra math course. My child took it in addition to Honor's Analysis this year and has AP Calculus BC on slate for next year. If you don't have AP Calculus, you would still be better off taking regular or Honor's calculus than Stats. In fact, none of these schools give either placement or credit for a 5 in AP Stats, but do for AP Calculus. What's up with the Teacher Internship? I'm not sure what this is, so don't know if it will help you. Whether or not you "need" 4 years of science dependes on your ultimate goals. If you plan to take more science, physio is not going to help you. You will have to re-take it anyway in college. AP Bio would leave you in better stead. I'm not too worried about 4 or 5 AP classes. This is the norm at my K's school.</p>