Hi, I’ve been having some issues with what I want my schedule to look like next year, mostly because my schedule is already abnormal. I am dead set on AP Lang and AP Gov, as well as Honors Spanish 4, but for science, I’m not sure if I should take Honors Chem, or take that online over the summer and then take AP Chem. This is because I’m in AP Physics C Mechanics this year and I feel like colleges would be puzzled by the drop in course rigor. Personally I don’t think I will do too well in chem/bio because I’m more of a math guy. I could also take AP Bio having taken honors bio already but normally juniors don’t take that class. Usually I’d follow the advice of “stick to what your school gives” but because I’ve already set the precedent of a hard science class so early, it may pose an issue. Not to mention I’m also taking CSA this year, so CSA + Physics C → Honors Chem is really a decrease in course rigor.
The big issue is with math. Calc AB is the highest our school offers and I took that last year, so I was forced to take BC online this year. Next year I think I’m going to drive to my local state uni and take Calc 3 first semester and Diff Eqs w/ Linear Algebra second semester, but this takes up 3 out of my 7 periods, which means the schedule has to work out perfectly if I want to take my other four classes—otherwise, I’d be forced to take maybe Honors Gov. My parents also don’t really want me driving an hour everyday (it takes 15 minutes to drive to my school, and another 45 round trip to the uni. I live in a pretty rural area). However, if I were to take these classes, it could make up for taking Honors Chem.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Have you looked for online versions of advanced math classes? For my D, our local CC only offered them in person, but the next county over has them online and the cost difference is not that great.
@RichInPitt I’ve taken so many online math courses, and my experience is that online courses are really subpar compared to having an actual teacher. Considering I already have quite a few online math courses on my transcript, I really don’t think it will benefit me nor my transcript to take another year of online math. And the only place that offers anything beyond BC is UIUC’s NetMath…
I’ve been taking online math ever since 5th grade (because i was super advanced). I’m in 9th now (skipped 8th) and am still taking online math- calc 1 & 2 through dual enrollment at UF. I promise, taking online math will HELP your transcript, especially if the only real alternative is no math at all.
@iusedtobesmart The thing, the only math on my transcript is online math. I took Calc AB at school last year, however, and our teacher was insane and in most years no one gets above a B in the class. I managed to get a B+ and got a 5 on the exam…I fear that colleges may see that as a weakness, and doing well in a university course would ease their skepticism.
bump…really really needing advice on this. Course selection process coming up soon, my counselor really hasn’t dealt with my situation before so she will let me do whatever.
Take math online and Chem or AP bio at school. I think taking a lab class online is a mistake. I don’t think colleges are going to worry about when you took your classes. They’ll just want to see bio, chem, and physics and some AP levels of those on your transcript.
I think you aren’t getting very many responses because most students follow their school’s normal progression so this doesn’t come up much.
@momofsenior1 I would still be able to take AP Bio or AP Chem at school even with uni math. I have four periods to do Spanish, Gov, Lang, and a lab science. In theory I have three other periods, but there aren’t many other classes for me to take during these periods. I could take AP Psyche but that’s not too useful for me. I’m taking AP Human Geo online because I’m applying to CS + Geo at UIUC. Not sure what else I would take. If I didn’t take AP Chem or AP Bio I would take Honors Chem, which is why I said I might take Honors Chem online over the summer in order to be in AP. Sorry for the confusion.
What about a fun honors course in something that AP isnt’ offered - perhaps business , computer, or technology class. Colleges know that not every subject is covered by AP. Sometimes it is the non AP classes that can help set you apart. If you like music or art that is fine too or if your driving to the University take another de class. It doesn’t have to be in a core subject.
@momtogirls2 any non honors or non AP course at my school absolutely tanks your weighted GPA because of the stupid 6.33 scale we use. This discourages many people from taking non honors or non AP, and budget cuts next year mean many of these electives are going away. Honors are also weighed the same as AP which I’m trying to change, because I would be first in my class if that was different. I do understand, however, that weighted GPA and rank doesn’t matter that much for college. Personally I’m not too interested in any of those courses and I’m afraid I wouldn’t be challenged.
Sorry to interrupt, but my school also uses a 6.3 GPA scale, and I agree that it’s really annoying haha. We have the same thing where honors and APs are weighted the same, and all of our GPAs get tanked because we’re not even allowed to take APs until junior year (and even then the maximum is 2). So you’re not alone in the struggle haha.