Senior Schedule Advice

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Background information:

Currently a Junior
Intended Major: Pre-med; Public Health (or some variation)
Number of APs (including the senior year classes I’m most certainly taking): 13

My Possible Schedule:
AP Literature
AP Environmental Science (will be taken online)
AP Microeconomics (will be taken online)
AP Government
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
Survey of Calculus (one semester dual)
Extra Dual Enrollment Block

First, the science dilemma:
I plan on taking Chemistry Honors over the summer to prepare myself for AP Chemistry. Also, the teacher is notorious for making things easier than necessary–especially if she likes you. At the beginning of my junior year, I was in AP Physics before I moved down to Physics Honors. Both classes are taught by the same teacher, so not only would I be familiar with the operation of the classroom, but also have the basic knowledge to help me do well in the class. And finally, as far as I know, AP Enviro is a straightforward class, and it should become much easier taking it online (I have taken APs online before).

Then the math dilemma:
Math is not my strong suit, but I get by. Last year I took pre-calculus and ended second semester with a C (B 3rd quarter; 79% 4th quarter), and since I did not feel prepared to take AP Calculus AB, I opted for AP Statistics as its more relevant to my intended major and life in general. I’ve completed my math credits. In fact, by the end of this year I will have completed 5 math credits. However, I know colleges prefer to see calculus and with my mishap sophomore year, I want to prove I’m far more competent in math than that grade portrays me to be. So, I thought Survey of Calculus at a nearby college would be an easy medium. It goes over the basics of AP Calculus AB (limits, derivatives, etc.), but appears far more easy to swallow.

So, what do you think? Any advice? Thank you!!

2

Have you taken three, or preferably four, years of a foreign language? That would certainly be preferable to a third, online, non-core science class (ES).

Physics 1, 2, or C?

3

Yes, I have. I’ve taken 4 years of French–the last year being AICE French. That’s why I have so much extra space on my schedule. And, it would be Physics 1 as that’s what Physics Honors most directly corresponds to at my school.

4

Be aware that:

  • Some (not all) medical schools require calculus among the pre-med course requirements.
  • At some (not all) colleges, physics for pre-meds and biology majors requires calculus (though usually less calculus than physics for physics majors).
  • Whether a "survey of calculus" course at a local college is enough for the above purposes may not necessarily be knowable in advance.
  • College courses taken while in high school and their grades must be included in your medical school application.

http://math.buffalo.edu/rur/rurci3.cgi is a quiz that help you determine how ready you are for calculus, and what precalculus topics you may need to review before taking calculus (in high school or college).

5

Hi AP GoPo teacher here. It appears like you’re trying to think about whether you’ll be okay next year.

Remember, no matter what and no matter how hard your classes are, you are worth it and you are killing it. Millions of students across the nation would be lucky to be as bright as you. Remember that.

And, also–most of the time, AP GoPo isn’t too bad.

I hope junior year is winding down for you :smile:! You’re going to kill AP exam time!

6

Drop APES. Everything else is good.