<p>Background:
Asian, SoCal, going to major in mechanical Engineering.
Total GPA:4.67 Academic: 4.75
Sat: 2200 CR 650- M 770- W 780
Combined Sat: 2230 CR 680- M 770- W 780
Sat 2: Math2 800 Physics 730 (retaking)
Finished Ap Physics B, and taking Ap Physics C Mechanics and E&M now (Junior year).
Current Schedule in mind (Out of 6 classes):
1. English 12 (Dont know if I should take AP Lit or not. I actually hate literature, but for the sake of my GPA I feel like i should. Taking Ap English Lang this year)
2. Calculus D / Linear Algebra (This one Im definitely taking)
3. Advanced topics in Math (Also college credit math. Pretty sure I can handle the workload, but Idk how it would look for admissions.)
4. Ap American Government/ Ap Econ
5. Most likely internship (Like a free period but I work have to intern instead) / independent study online biology (just because i need the credit and it will be second semester senior year)
6. Free</p>
<p>So my dilemma is whether to
1. take AP Lit instead of normal english (So i would be taking two APs lol),
2. take AP environmental science or AP Chemistry instead of online biology. (Again. More APs)
3. take Ap psychology because I want to but i dont need the credit.
Also another reason for number 2 is that I need one semester of life science to graduate and the UC system RECOMMENDS three years in two of the three sciences, bio, chem, and physics. But as of now, I have only half a year in bio and half a year in Chem.</p>
<p>You can also post your problems, and I'll try to provide some help too ;)</p>
<p>You need to finish those science credits, that should be your priority. When the UC system “recommends”, it means “do it unless you have pretty darn good extenuating circumstances”.
Isn’t there Honors English or another type of English class, beside literature, that you could take? Like essay writing, creative writing, journalism, etc… AP Lit would be an odd choice for someone who hates literature.
However you should have a second AP class in order to have a stronger schedule (periods 2 and 3 will look impressive, actually more so than AP). Your 6th period shouldn’t be free because that’s strongly looked down upon by adcoms. Furthermore, you need 5 “core” classes every year for the top schools (including UC’s) so either period 5 or 6 should have a class.</p>
<p>Take an AP Science course. As someone looking to study engineering, it seems strange to have a free block and not have a true full year science course. It does not look like someone trying to take a most rigorous course load or challenge him/herself.</p>
<p>Why “lol” at taking 2 AP’s? Ya know, when you get to college every class is going to be an “AP” - better get used to it now, especially if you want to do engineering. I would do what UC recommends. If you do well in AP Chem that looks great, its a hard class. Much more so than AP Environmental, generally speaking. </p>
<p>@Etuck: I think OP “lol’ed” because s/he’s also taking two advanced college classes
Although English is important for all and literature also, if OP hates literature and doesn’t have a science and plans on going into engineering, taking Honors english or English of some kind in period 2 but also AP chemistry and another class in period 5 or 6 would make more sense.</p>
<p>As long as you have 5 “cores”, having a free period is not seen as slacking senior year, particularly if they are 5 solid “cores”. But with only 6 classes, you don’t have much room to maneuver.</p>
<p>Forget AP Lit if you hate that sort of thing. There are better options in the Comm Arts department - no sense killing yourself.</p>
<p>If AP Bio is available, it’s considerably easier than AP Chem. But definitely take one of the two. A one semester anatomy/physiology class might also work, if it’s offered.</p>
<p>AP Psych can be a fun class - take it if you’ll enjoy it, despite all the naysayers. But make sure you get those science credits in.</p>
<p>Are you only looking at the UC system?? Here is why I ask – most highly selective schools want to see 4 years of the 5 academic subjects. I am less concerned with you taking AP English Lit (since you took AP English Comp junior year and you are clearly a math/science kid). However, I don’t see any foreign language either junior or senior year. Be aware that AP Environmental Science is not considered a lab science (or at least that is what my D was told). I would recommend AP Chem and not an online bio class – that would beef up your “course rigor” without making you take an AP ENgl Lit class that you might bomb. AP Engl Comp is the most important one, I think, and you got that covered jr year. Take English 12. But I do think you still need a year of history/social science. If AP Government is a year-long course, I would recommend taking that and not AP Psychology (which is seen by many as somewhat of a “soft” AP). </p>
<p>This would give you English 12, Calculus D, Advanced Topics in Math, AP Chem, and AP Government, and then free period. This is a rigorous senior schedule AND it covers the bases (minus a foreign language) AND it shows that you are a “math/science” kid who is still being broad-based in his learning.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the help guys!! Sorry for replying late, been bit busy lately.
Actually, I meant that my 6th period is unscheduled. I wouldn’t actually take a free period.
Your comments and my friends suggestions have made me choose AP Chem!!
Ive decided to not take Ap English.
Anyways, I truly thank you all! Have a nice day and good luck in life!!</p>
