<p>So my school is already planning schedules for next year..weird I know. I have five classes picked but I need opinions on the sixth. </p>
<p>So far I have:
AP Calc
AP Physics
AP Lit
AP Gov/Econ
Honors Spanish 4</p>
<p>For the last one I can choose between:
-Physiology
-APES
-AP Chem
-TA for my favorite teacher </p>
<p>^those are just the ones I'm interested in. I've already taken AP Bio and regular bio/chem</p>
<p>I'm leaning toward physio but it's not AP so I'm a little hesitant (bad reason I know). It's just that I go to a really competitive high school so the APES gpa boost would probably help? I really don't want to do AP Chem, even though I love chem, because I want to have some semblance of a life next year. TA would be fun and I love the teacher, but is five academic classes too little? </p>
<p>Yeah teaching assistant. It would basically be grading like once a week and hanging out with other TAs a lot so nothing too intense lol. Mostly fun, but I would get an awesome teacher rec if I did it. </p>
<p>I realize AP Chem would be best, but I just don’t know if it’s possible. I could probably do AP Chem and regular physics? I just don’t think I could do both plus college apps, work, a bunch of leadership stuff, etc.</p>
<p>The Teaching Assistant sounds like it would be a unique and fun experience. It would also give you some extra time. The letter of recommendation would also help a lot.</p>
<p>I’ve never taken AP courses, so I’m not sure exactly how hard it might be. But I’d imagine it’s very rigorous. A tip: start some college research/applications in the summer (so the applications aren’t killing you during your finals).</p>
<p>If I were you I would do TA for sure. You already have 5 weighted classes and you have college apps. Mines a lot alike AP physics, AP calc BC, TA, journalism, and AP Comp Lit.</p>
<p>APES is just… so horrible. You will live to regret it, telling you from experience. Although to be fair it probably depends on the teacher a bit.</p>
<p>@RayonG it’s different at every school, but at mine the harder AP science classes (bio, chem, physics) give around an hour of homework a night plus studying for tests, and they only give out 4-5 A’s per class. I currently have an A in AP Bio, but I don’t think I could handle two core AP sciences at once! </p>
<p>@octavius95 I’m sort of leaning toward that…But then I wouldn’t have “most rigorous” as my course schedule, and I know a few kids will probably apply to the same EA school as me with more difficult course rigor (but less ECs) so that’s why I’m sort of in a bind. I don’t know how much it matters. If taking AP Chem is really important, I’ll do it. But if it’s not I’d rather spend my time doing something else (college apps, upping my hours at work so I can actually afford to go to college, volunteering, seeing friends, etc.)</p>
<p>@diana2012 Really? At my school it’s an easier AP with a lot less homework. Sorry it sucks at your school though :(</p>
<p>@Seahawks506 …I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic.</p>
<p>I see; I took biology and chemistry my junior year, and physics my senior year (now). If that’s the case, I think the TA experience would be appropriate. If you do select the TA option, I’m sure you’d have more time to work on college essays (which are extremely important, and would certainly carry more weight than AP chemistry).</p>
<p>@RayonG maybe I’ll do that…it would certainly make senior year a lot more enjoyable. Im going to start college research/essays over the summer, but I’m also hopefully going to have a full time internship and I’ll be doing Precalc online (long story, my classes got messed up because I moved so I’m in AP stat right now) so I’m not going to have a lot of time to get started. But I do want to write at least most of my common app stuff and narrow down a list of schools. </p>
<p>But I’m still a little hesitant to only take five core classes (I’ve always taken six)</p>
<p>If you take advantage of the unique experience by being a TA, and use your time wisely for college applications, it would be worth it. </p>
<p>And by no means, is your schedule not rigorous. Physics is a very time-consuming course, and learning a language such as Spanish requires practice time as well. Most colleges understand that senior first semester is an incredibly busy time (and are in fact understanding about it). I wouldn’t worry too much about having one less core class (especially if you also have a full internship).</p>
<p>I’m in a pretty similar situation (Honors Gov/Econ, AP Chem/Chinese/Calc/Lit) and I opted for the TA. At first, I regretted not taking Photography instead, but for the last few months I REALLY appreciated the downtime. </p>
<p>Then again, my school sends most of its kids to UC’s. Take APES if you want to gain an edge against other students applying to the same schools.</p>
<p>Definitely TA, or take one “easy” class that you enjoy!
I made the mistake last year (junior year) of overloading my schedule with brutal classes and not one that I could enjoy. This year as a senior I’m taking a full schedule of AP Lit, AP Psych, AP Stats, AP Gov/Econ, Ceramics 1-2, and Honors Professional Internship. Ceramics is a joke, but its nice to relax and interact with the “normal” kids.</p>
<p>Alright thanks guys! I think I’m gonna go with TA, or maybe physio but I have definitely crossed AP Chem off the list without feeling guilty about it :)</p>
<p>Yeah def TA. You never know if you’ll need extra work in a subject (and require more time for it). Also…ap chem and ap physics in the same year? Yikes!</p>
<p>I want to major in some kind of science, possibly chem actually. I worked in an orgo lab last summer and loved it. Maybe I should do AP Chem and regular physics. I definitely can’t do AP Chem and AP Physics.</p>
<p>Be the teacher’s assistant. Although it may not seem like it now, it will not only be worth it in the long run when it comes to having a little bit of time to enjoy your senior year, but you will also have gotten the experience of getting to know and appreciate your favorite teacher even more during your last year of schooling. It’ll be worth it, believe me: I was in a similar situation. My teacher that I aided ended up leaving at the end of that school year and I was grateful for having spent the time with her that I did.</p>