<p>Ok, so I have this scheduling dilemma that is very complicated. I apologize in advance if i confuse you.</p>
<p>I am currently a full IB diploma candidate. today, my counselor called me into her office to discuss a scheduling conflict.</p>
<p>my schedule when i registered was:</p>
<p>IB Math HL (weighted) = AP Calc BC +Multivariable calc
IB English HL (weighted) = AP English(?)
IB History HL (weighted) = AP History (?)
IB Business and Management SL (weighted)
Orchestra (NOT-weighted)
IB Physics SL (NOT-weighted) = Physics Honors
IB Comp Sci SL (weighted) = AP Comp Sci</p>
<p>however, there seemed to be a conflict for physics. Counselor suggested that I take regular Physics to solve the problem. I disagreed, stating that I had taken regular Chemistry in 10th grade as a result of another schedule conflict. </p>
<p>She then gave me two options: drop IB Comp Sci (i wanted to anyway), and take IB Biology HL (weighted) and regular Physics...or.....take IB Physics and be a Teacher's Aide (not a class, won't show up on transcript)....If i did the second option, I would take 6 classes sr. year instead of the traditional 7. The teacher's aide option would allow me to have a study hall period.</p>
<p>Which option should I take? Thanks, and sorry if i confused you.</p>
<p>I would take whatever would make you enjoy your senior year. I only took 5 classes this past year (all weighted) and got an LOA in early November.</p>
<p>Seriously, you may get someone to contradict me and tell you that you should take absolutely as many classes as possible, as many APs and as many Honors to impress the heck out of the admissions board. In reality though, they probably won't have any idea that your taking a class off, and more importantly, with your already impressive class schedule, they would not hold it against you.... I'm tempted to tell you not to overdue it, but in the end its your call what you would like to do. Either way though, I don't think the Admissions Board will look any different at it.</p>
<p>I have just completed all of my IB exams and will (hopefully) receive my IB diploma in July. IB Physics SL is absolutely no more advanced than a regular High School Physics course. The only place where it may get somewhat more advanced is in the options, but even then it really isn't worth it.</p>
<p>Another word of advice... I was in the most advanced math courses at my school. Although I took Math SL, I was in the same class as the Math HL kids and we all ended up taking the AP Calc BC exam. The kids who have historically taken Math HL at my school were the absolutely smartest kids there and after taking the HL exam, they all wished they had simply taken the SL course. It seems to be more work for nothing, especially if your school is like mine and will allow you to take the AP Calc BC exam whether or not you take IB Math SL or HL.</p>
<p>If you want more perspective from someone who has finished IB, just shoot me PM.</p>
<p>i wouldn't worry about the level of your physics course. if it was chemistry, i would say to go for the AP. however, from what i remember when i had my visitation weekend, there is no physics validation test when you go for plebe summer and people do not usually validate it. thus, it (unlike chemistry and calculus) is not as important to take an AP course in order to score a 4 or 5 and to do well on the validation exam.</p>
<p>Don' worry about the physics level - chances are you will be taking physics at the Academy anyway - very few validate out even after taking the validation test (You can not use for AP scores to validate either chem or physics)</p>
<p>Take the schedule YOU want to take not one because you think it will look better in the eyes of admissions.</p>
<p>gonecokanutts and Native Texan; unfortunately d29061 should be more concerned at this time about admissions than validation. Take the IB Physics. The Comp Sci, Business, and Biology are the least important.</p>
<p>I didn't take any science courses my senior year, but I took all AP level courses. I got in. I just took the classes that I was interested in at the highest possible level.</p>
<p>It is my understanding that computer science, business and biology are not as important as calculus and chemestry- take the highest level courses you can in those particular classes. If taking a study hall will translate to higher grades, then consider that option. As for physics- you take that in youngster year at USNA, so if the trade off is physics or a higher level chem and calc, go for the chem and calc.</p>
<p>One question for you, how can your counselor recommend you just starting Biology HL in your senior year? Biology HL is a two year course along with all other HL courses.</p>
<p>Do what makes you happy. If you want physics that bad, then go for it. But even if you end up in regular physics, it won't prevent you from validating if you study hard enough, no?</p>
<p>And don't kill yourself. Enjoy your senior year -- this is coming from someone who took 9 full year courses and 2-half-year courses. It seems VITALLY important at the time, but in the end you'll want to remember hanging out with your friends, not studying 8-hours and sleeping 4-hours a night.</p>