I was thinking of taking both AP Bio and AP Chem next year in my senior year, partly to spite the course registrar for not letting me take two honors sciences last year (and also because I’m passionate about the sciences, that too). But now that I’m seriously thinking of what courses I’ll be taking, I’m starting to think that taking both AP science courses might be way more work than I can bear. One of my science teachers said I should only pick one because of the equally intense workload in both classes, but another science teacher told me that she thinks I’ll be able to handle taking both. And another factor to complicate the situation is the whole college process and application and essay writing, which my counselor told me is basically another class on its own in terms of work and stress…
Here’s the schedule I’ve drafted so far for my senior year:
Regular English 12 AP Chemistry AP Biology
Non-Euclidean Spaces (post-AP)
AP U.S. Government
AP Computer Science
What do you think of my schedule? Would it be too much, at first glance? Should I go ahead with taking both AP Chem and AP Bio, or should I just go with one?
That’s a heavy load but it will certainly look impressive if you can handle it. My D took 6 college level classes during her senior year and had very little time for anything other than school. If you think you can do well in all those classes and not be too stressed then go for it. But if it will cause you a lot of stress I would not do it.
Don’t do it. AP Bio+ AP Chem = insane, and no it won’t look “impressive”, it’ll just look like a kid who doesn’t know how to schedule and has a serious case of hubris.
Yes, your schedule is too much as is. Remove one of these two and take an art class, or foreign language if you haven’t reached level 4/AP yet, or something you find fun.
And yes, college apps are like having an extra writing-intensive class.
I would definitely not take AP Chem, Bio, and CS together. If you’re going to major in math, physics, CS, or engineering, you should drop AP Bio. If you’re going to be pre-med, you would drop AP CS. Other than that, the rest of your schedule looks fine.
@MYOS1634 If I’m to continue with foreign language, I’ll have to take AP Spanish Lit next year and that’ll be another AP class to worry about. Apparently we are to have the most rigorous course load, and since I’m already taking a free period, I don’t know if I’m okay with blowing off another class period for something like Intro to Art.
@goldenbear2020 I think I’m going for pre-med. But I need a technology credit to graduate, and since I have some experience in programming, I know I won’t be learning anything new in or enjoying the Intro to Comp Sci class…
