Senior Year Schedule HELP!

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Ok, first of all, I intend to major in Economics and minor in political science or public policy. I am a decent science student with all As and A-s in honors chem and honors + AP bio</p>

<p>These are the classes that I am definitely taking (/ indicates either one depending on what fits into my schedule and what grades i get junior year)</p>

<ul>
<li>Humanities Honors/AP Lit</li>
<li>Economics AP (micro+macro)</li>
<li>Calculus AB/BC AP</li>
<li>French 5 H/AP</li>
<li>Gym</li>
<li>Lunch</li>
<li>?</li>
<li>? </li>
</ul>

<p>As you can see, I am missing a science class. The classes I want to fill those question marks with are Comparative Gov AP, Physics B AP, Chem AP, or Psychology AP.</p>

<p>The one thing is, IF I qualify for Calculus BC, then by either taking Chem or Physics, I would be forced to give up my second question mark because of my huge number of labs, which is something I would rather not do since I wanna take Comp Gov. </p>

<p>If I don't get into BC and do AB, I will definitely take AP Physics OR AP Chem (prob chem). </p>

<p>So ideally, I would want to get into Calc BC and then take AP Psych and AP Comp Gov. Does this look bad because I am not taking a challenging AP science? Again, my major has nothing to do with science and I am currently taking AP Bio and doing fairly well. Plus, Psych sometimes even counts as a Social Studies course so its like I am just dropping science.</p>

<p>I would really appreciate some advice- thanks :)</p>

2

<p>For sure take AP Lit and try your hardest to get into BC, if you’re looking at highly selective schools.</p>

<p>Honestly, I would take a science, but seeing as your looking at economics more, it’s fine if you leave it out. At least make sure you’ve taken an Honors Physics or Chemistry course and you’ll be ok.</p>

<p>I would talk with your GC counselor to make sure.</p>

<p>What schools will you apply to? You’re going to need Subject tests most likely.</p>

<p>Good luck! Try and get your testing done this year!</p>

3

<p>Yah, I am planning on taking SAT 2’s in US History, Bio, and Math 2. </p>

<p>AP Lit I am pretty sure I will be able to take, BC Calc is a bit harder, but I think I could. </p>

<p>I have taken Honors Bio (9th: A-), Honors Chem (10th: A), and AP Bio (11th: A- / A ). Never taken a physics course though. </p>

<p>Thanks a lot! Merry Christmas!</p>

4

<p>Hey, I would really appreciate some more advice :)</p>

<p>Long story short: I am asking is it ok to not take a science senior year? Details are in the original post above.</p>

5

<p>I think you should take a physics class. What about taking it or another class over the summer so that your senior year schedule is manageable?</p>

6

<p>My school does not offer that unfortunately. I guess I could take Physics, but that has nothing to do with my area of study. Is it worth giving up AP Comp Gov for Physics?</p>

7

<p>If you’ve only had three years of science, add the fourth year in-- if you’re looking for the most selective schools, you want/need four years of science. The Physics doesn’t necessarily have to be AP, but you need to have something.</p>

8

<p>Thanks- I hate scheduling at my school XD so little wiggle room…</p>

<p>So I guess I will take AP Physics B if I get into BC Calc or not. </p>

<p>If I don’t get into BC and go to AB, I could take Physics and Comparative Government. </p>

<p>Here’s another option, is it ok if I never take a Physics course in high-school, but take AP Chem instead?</p>

9

<p>I would try and take Physics if possible. You can swap BC with AB, just won’t get the Cal II credit at most unis, but that’s alright. If you feel Comp Gov is more relevant to your interests, by all means pursue it.</p>

<p>In this case, I would not go and take AP Chem. Why?

  1. It’s your senior year, and AP Chem is no pushover. Plus it seems you will have a half-year gap when starting AP Chem which makes it hard to catch up. (I had a full year because I took it my second semester, junior year and had my Hon. Chem course second semester sophomore year)
  2. Chemistry is not relevant to what you want to do, so having an Honors course is fine.
  3. It’s better to have knowledge in all three major sciences than be strongly versed in just two. I won’t be taking AP Bio at all this year, yet I took Honors Bio at my school. If you’re not able to fit the AP version of that science course comfortably into your schedule, I advise against it. The only reason I switched mid junior year into AP Chem was for preparation for Subject Tests (it helps tremendously, less self-studying for you when you learn it all at once).
  4. Due to taking AP Chem, I have had to take an online course in art so I can get the credit I need to be eligible to graduate. It’s a major pain (due to procrastination) to get it all done, but I will be taking my final in a couple of weeks, so it worked out. </p>

<p>Note: My school has block scheduling.</p>

10

<p>Again, thanks for the advice.</p>

<p>The only reason I would lean towards AP Chem is that I sort of liked some aspects of it when I took it sophmore year as honors. Plus, my teacher was awesome, so I really want to have her again.</p>

<p>Also, AP Chem would be full-year for me.</p>

<p>But I completely understand that I should probably get exposure to all three major sciences. However, Honors Physics would not be an option… That class would be filled with annoying little current sophs who didn’t qualify to take an ap science. I would be like 1 of probably 3 seniors XD</p>

<p>This convo definitely helped a lot. I am now going to probably aim for Physics B and Calc BC. Scheduling will occur in like a month. (I have to lift my Pre-Calc grade in that time haha) </p>

<p>Would still love some more opinions, thanks to those that responded.</p>