Senior Year: Course Selection

Parents Forum
1

<p>During the upcoming week, I'll be deciding which classes to take next year. Out of the 7 periods of classes I am required to take, I'm positive on what classes I'd like to take in 6 of those periods. However, I'm confused which science class to take next year.</p>

<p>My intended major in college will be Computer Science. That being said, I should also note that I have taken Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, and currently am enrolled in Physics AP. Next year I have the choice of taking: Chemistry AP, Biology AP, and Environmental Science AP. The first two are extremely challenging at my school, with roughly 5 students in each class getting As. On the other hand, nearly everyone gets an A in Environmental Science AP. So if I chose AP Enviro, would it look bad to colleges? Should I risk getting a B and take ChemAP or BioAP?</p>

<p>Thoughts, comments are greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>AP Enviro is kinda known as an "AP Lite".</p>

<p>Which of the sciences are you most interested in? Which would hold your attention and give you a challenge you'd enjoy? My son felt that too much of AP Bio was memorization, so you might want to consider AP Chem. You could review the curricula and see which grabs your attention:</p>

<p>AP Bio: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_bio.html?biology%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_bio.html?biology&lt;/a>
AP Chem: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_chem.html?chem%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_chem.html?chem&lt;/a>
AP Enviro: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_envsci.html?envsci%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_envsci.html?envsci&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

3

<p>mootmom: Thank you for the response. Earlier this year, I took BioAP but found it extremely challenging, so I dropped down to Physics AP. The problem is that our BioAP class is tougher than a sophomore year Stanford class, this has been said by numerous graduates of our school who went on to Stanford. The problem with the ChemAP class is that the teacher who teaches the class apparently doesn't know the material covered in the 2nd semester, so the students literally just read the book on their own during class time. That's my dilemma so far.</p>

4

<p>If the rest of your course selection is challenging, don't stress over the science class. As a comp-sci major, I don't think the actual class is a make or break deal but your gpa and class rank will be looked at more closely. my two cents</p>

5

<p>Another data point to consider is whether you can get usable AP credit for physics, biology or chemistry in your intended computer science degree plan. A little-discussed feature of the AP program is that, even if you make a 5 on the AP test, some schools will not give you credit you can use. </p>

<p>Example, one private Calif. U. I am familiar with will not give 8 hours of Physics for Science and Engineering Majors for a 5, but will give full credit for what I call Physics for Poetry Majors. That's wonderful for liberal arts majors. But engineering and science majors have to take physics again no matter how well they did in AP. Engineering and science majors, however, also have an open science elective that can be fully satisfied by AP biology credit. So the best option for them might be to take AP Biology, if they are looking to shorten their path to graduation. </p>

<p>But another little twist at this school we found out about is that, if the student did do well in AP Physics, even though no usable credit would be given he would be permitted to take the Honors section of Physics for Science and Eng. Majors. One might think this would be like stepping out of the frying pan into the fire, but in truth, the Honors section is taught as if everyone already knows the basics, which they do, and there are a lot of guest speakers, fun labs, field trips, and very little home work! So Honors physics is Slacker physics, and hard work in high school AP physics is rewarded, though in an unexpected way.</p>

<p>Another feature of the AP system is that most colleges are actually quite vague about the nuances of their credit policy. You have to dig for the information, and even if someone will tell you anything, that might change at the first meeting with your academic advisor. Once you are admitted, go through orientation and your first meeting with your advisor, and credit is bubbled in on your degree plan record, you're good to go, but until then you will be left wondering exactly what is going to happen.</p>

6

<p>Can you take an AP computer science course or an extra math course instead of bio or chem? Honestly, if you are set on cs, I don't think either will be very relevant. Given that, AP enviro might be as good as anything!</p>

7

<br>


<br>

<p>NO dilemma here! You are underestimating the power of senioritis - a class where you just sit and read the book second semester will be just the ticket this time next year;).</p>

<p>Seriously, ponder what Dt123 is saying in context of your college. This is probably one of the few opportunities you will have in your scholastic career to just relax and learn as much as you can without really worrying about your grades. Selective colleges give very little credit for AP these days, so if you luck into some it is a bonus, not a right. The only senior year grades that "count" are the first semester - so you should ask yourself these questions - in which subject will I learn the most? Will I safely get a B? (with a solid senior load of classes, a B in AP chem or Bio won't sink you, I would counsel against Enviro, if you go that route, you probably will need to make a better grade). Will I be in real danger of making a C or lower?</p>