Hi everyone. I am currently a rising junior and I need a little help deciding what classes to take for next year. My dilemma right now is that I am unsure whether to take AP Calculus AB or BC. I consider myself a strong student in math, but if I take BC next year, I am unsure what math I would take senior year. Maybe Calculus 3? However, this would lead to a lower GPA despite more work, which I think is a little unfair. But I don't really see the point in taking AB and then BC because I know much of the material covered will be the same. Also, my other dilemma is whether to take AP CS or AP European History. Ideally, I would like to take AP CS because I think it's a very useful class and our school requires two technology credits anyways. Also, AP Euro is a bit of a filler class because I want to be a math/science major. However, taking pre-AP CS this year, I can say that I'm not the strongest at this class. It just doesn't seem to connect with me, and even though I try, my grades haven't been that good. Taking AP CS next year will probably be difficult for me, and my schedule is already pretty rigorous so I don't know if it will be a good idea. But even if I don't take it next year, I know I'll end up taking it senior year because it's basically required anyway. I was thinking about putting it off, though, because senior year will be a little more relaxed and grades won't matter quite as much as junior year.
Sorry this was long, haha. So, my question is, should I take AP Calculus AB or BC? AP CS or AP European History? Any help/advice is appreciated. :) Thanks!!
If BC will lower your GPA, take AB. Then take AP Statistics or something senior year.
Also, take history and find a different technology course.
Basically take courses you can do well in.
I’ll have to disagree with nw2this: it’s better to challenge yourself and pursue your interests rather than try to take easy classes to pad your GPA. If you’re strong in math, BC will not be too hard for you, and if you don’t want to take multivariables, you can either take AP or dual enrollment statistics senior year.
What is the rest of your schedule like? I understand not wanting to take too many super rigorous courses, but AP euro typically has lots of work, usually more so than AP comp sci.
Thanks for the advice! Well, AP Stats won’t be an option for me senior year because I’m already in it this year. That’s why I’m still a little hesitant about taking BC next year because I’m not sure what I’ll do senior year as I’ll have kind of run out of math classes. Next year, my schedule will be pretty tough. I know for sure I am taking AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, AP Physics I, AP Music Theory, and AP English III. I understand that AP Euro is a lot of work, but I think it is still more doable for me than CS just because for CS, I feel like even if I do put in the work I sometimes won’t get the grades I want as it is hard for me to understand.