Question on Junior Year Schedule

Applying to College
1

<p>Alright, so I pretty much have my schedule and am going to be taking 4 APs, and then 1 honor class (rest of the classes are required).</p>

<p>But here is the thing, I wanted to take AP Environmental but my Guidance Counselor said it doesn't look good on college applications. I was planning on taking Enviro next year and Physics senior year (AP), because I will probably get a slightly higher GPA in Enviro, and all my friends are taking it.</p>

<p>But the thing is, AP enviromental isn't a joke class at our school, last year, the first year it was offered, all 11 kids who took it got a 5, but there grades were mainly Low C's to mid A's. But my GC insisted I don't take it, so I am at a crossroads.</p>

<p>FYI, I am probably applying to middle of the roads colleges (assuming 2200 SAT, 3.5 GPA, Good to great extra-curriculars)</p>

<p>So if I take AP Enviromental next year and AP Physics B this year:
-Higher GPA
-I would enjoy the class
-My friends are taking it
-Nice teacher, small class (The two year it's been around 11 kids and 8 kids have taken it respectively)</p>

<p>But if I take AP Physics B next year:
-Lower GPA
-Huge classes
-Not interested as much, but still not bad
-Don't know anyone who is taking it
-Not a lot of work though</p>

<p>And yeah, I know I can handle AP Bio, Chem, etc, but how much better does:</p>

<p>AP World (10th)
APUSH (11th)
AP Euro (12th)
AP Lang (11th)
AP Lit (12th)
AP Bio (12th)
AP Physics B (11th)
AP Stats (11th)
AP Calc BC (12th)
AP Spanish (12th)
^^What my GC wants me to take</p>

<p>look compared to:
AP World (10th)
APUSH (11th)
AP Euro (12th)
AP Lang (11th)
AP Lit (12th)
AP Environmental (11th)
AP Physics B (12th)
AP Stats (11th)
AP Calc BC (12th)
AP Spanish (12th)
^^What I want to take</p>

<p>My guidance counselor is making it seem like if I take Environmental, I stand no shot at any top 50 school, but if I took Bio instead senior year and physics junior year, I'd be set.</p>

<p>So is it a joke class, that won't look great?</p>

2

<p>I’d go with what your counselor is saying for two reasons:</p>

<ol>
<li>Environmental doesn’t really help you like bio and physics.</li>
<li>The counselor gets to mark how hard your course-load was.</li>
</ol>

<p>To be honest, I doubt colleges really pay that much attention, and probably get blase of APs.</p>

3

<p>That’s crazy. At my son’s school no one is ever advised to take so many AP’s. But then again, they have block scheduling, so only three classes a semester. The best students usually end up with 4 or 5 AP’s by graduation.</p>

4

<p>4 APs a year isn’t bad at all. Some CCers have taken 8 APs in one year…I’m taking 2 AP, 3 College, and one honors class this year…and a full load here is 4 courses.</p>

5

<p><my guidance=“” counselor=“” is=“” making=“” it=“” seem=“” like=“” if=“” i=“” take=“” environmental,=“” stand=“” no=“” shot=“” at=“” any=“” top=“” 50=“” school=“”> </my></p>

<p>A bunch of grade-boosting idiots at my school take Environmental just to up their GPA. The best students never took them, and the worse students has them for some reason.</p>

<p>Your counselor is WRONG, but he does have a good point.</p>

6

<p>But the thing, it isn’t a joke course, and everyone who took it so far has got a 5 but the average grade in the class is still like a 85 probably. My GC recognizes that fact, but she says when colleges see it they will think I just took it to get the easy way out.</p>

<p>So should I just take Physics I guess.</p>

7

<p>^Yes. Physics will look better. Definitely. You can’t lose if you pick physics over environmental/</p>

8

<p>Alright, but for the record I’m looking to apply to like top 20 university besides Washington probably.</p>

9

<p>At my school, Enviro is a joke class that can be taken as an elective along with another science class, although I haven’t heard much about Physics B besides it being fun and interesting.</p>

<p>In terms of usefulness, Physics is much more useful than Enviro as it’s the foundation for science. I haven’t heard of too many schools that offer credit for Enviro or Physics B, but more schools offer credit for Physics B from what I’ve heard and/or researched. </p>

<p>You sound like you like Enviro more, and if you’re going to take Physics anyways it’s not a huge problem. If I were you, I’d take Physics first and then take Enviro senior year.</p>

10

<p>What else are you taking in Junior year? I think AP Physics B is better. Even your own statement is contradictory, you said you would get better grade in AP Environment versus taking AP Physics B.</p>

11

<p>Well if I took Enviro, I’d probably get a 92 opposed to about a 90 in Physics. Even though, at our school Physics B AP is an easier class, I just don’t see myself being good at it.</p>

<p>And I am taking</p>

<p>An AP Science (Physics or Enviromental)
AP Stat
AP Lang
AP USH
Spanish 4 Accelerated
PC Apps/ GYM (required)
Lunch (i need to eat)
Band</p>

12

<p>^If somehow your counselor is willing to explain that AP Environmental is harder at your school and cross-your-heart-and-wish-you-live that the colleges you’re applying to is really going to go AP Env > AP Phys. in your case then I’d say go for AP Env.</p>

13

<p>one last bump</p>