I go to a very small high school, so not many classes are offered there. In addition, I have completed pretty much all the available science and math courses so I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing next year…
I can take concurrent enrollment classes at a local university for Calc 3 and O chem, but each class is around $1000 per semester. (and I don’t plan on attending that university, but I have very limited choices for my classes next year). I can self-study online thru OCW or Khan Academy, but won’t gain any credit through that. I already have strong credentials, but it would look weird on my transcript if I don’t have classes my senior year.
Would it be better to take the class at the university, self study, or not take anything at all?
You won’t be judged for not taking classes not offered at your school. If you aren’t willing to spend the money, I would just try to dedicate my time elsewhere. You might be taking fewer classes, but you can use your newfound free time to more ECs.
A few years ago, when I asked one of the counselors if it would be all right if my son took only 5 classes senior year instead of the usual six at his high school, he said no because then the counselor would not be able to tick the box that said he took “the most rigorous curriculum available”. I should have asked him what form he was talking about and how colleges have access to it, but I didn’t. Maybe someone else knows.
If you want to take one of the college classes and can afford it, that would probably look best to colleges. You could fill up the rest of your schedule with whatever interests you that is available. Some colleges will give you credit for college courses taken in high school and others won’t.
You could take a math class (any from calculus 3, linear algebra, discrete math) in the fall, and a science class in the spring, in order to spread the costs. A semester long college class is equivalent to a year long high school class.
I would NOT recommend taking OChem as a senior in high school. There has to be a science class offered at the University that you’ve not taken yet and isn’t a premed cut throat sophomore /junior level nightmare all science majors dread?
Another option is to take online classes through Stanford Online High School, Johns Hopkins, Brigham Young, etc. If you search on this site, you can find lots of related recommendations. Many of these schools offer AP classes, fees range from $300-$2000 per class. You can also get transcripts that you include with your college applications. Another option is to work with your high school to set up an independent self study class that they would include on your transcript.
What about your local Community College? Do they have a dual enrollment program? Would it be cheaper?
Have you talked to your GC about what the options are?
I agree with not taking Organic chemistry…take college chemistry unless you have taken AP Chem already.
I have already taken AP chem and Physics, so the next class for me is O chem. The only reason I’m considering this is because I did very well in chem and my teacher recommended that I take O chem… Are there any chem classes between gen chem and o chem?
If you took AP Chem, you need to take College Chem 2 before you can even think of taking OChem.
The sequence would be AP Chem, General Chem1 with lab, General Chem 2 with lab, or, AP Chem, General Chem 2 with lab.
1 could be named 100, 101, 1000, 111, 121… it depends on the university.
I would recommend a variety of other science classes before you take OChem. College students who KNOW what that class entails quake at the thought. Seriously, there are lots of other science classes you can take beside this.
Have you already taken AP Bio? What physics have you taken?
Also, after AP Calc BC, you could typically take either Multivariable (Calc 3), Linear Algebra, or Discrete Math (often in the CS department). That might open up more options schedule-wise or if you have a lower-cost community college.
I did gen chem 1 and I’m in gen chem 2 right now (with labs every week) and plan on taking the AP test, which I’m pretty sure I can pass. I haven’t done AP Bio yet, but the class is technically unavailable to me and the teacher is EXTREMELY bad. I have completed 2 years of physics (honors and concurrent enrollment). I have completed all the science classes available, and my current chem teacher recommended I do O chem next year. For math, I plan on doing Calc 3 and differential equations either through the local university or self study on my own.
I would agree with @MYOS1634 that OChem is universally feared for the huge amount of memorizing and workload along with GPA wrecking grades. You probably don’t want that to be your first class experience at a 4-year university.
Also, I’ve read that higher-tier colleges will want you to have at least one each of biology, physics, and chemistry. You have that, right?
If you already took bio physics and chemistry, there are are other sciences : computer science, forensic science/biological anthropology, astronomy, Neuroscience…
Seriously, there are lots of other science classes you can take beside this.