Junior year, I’m already forecasted to take three AP classes (AP Lang, AP Comp Sci, and AP Calc AB) and I’m worried that Honors Chemistry plus APUSH could prove too much of a challenge in addition to my already-stressful courseload, so I’m forced to decide between the two. I’m planning on pursuing a science-related major, but AP US History seems like it would hold more clout on my transcript. Help?
You need to take one year each of bio, chem and physics.
If you want a STEM Major, then I would make sure I have taken Bio, Chem, Physics and an AP version of one of those.
I would def take Honors Chem over APUSH for STEM.
Preparing for the science you need in college is more important than an AP.
If you are considering Physics, take Calc BC not AB.
For Bio/Chem I agree with other suggestions, take Chem and forget APUSH.
Many colleges limit total # of AP credits anyway.
Too bad no AP Chem, the more AP science you take in HS the better, they are usually easier
than same at college, but you get same credit.
“I would def take Honors Chem over APUSH for STEM.”
I agree completely. APUSH is a huge time sink which IMHO is not worth the effort for a potential STEM major. There are lots of more useful ways for a STEM student to spend your time.
Most HS’s (with good reason) require a first chem course before AP Chem
The OP did not specify the math progression at his/her HS. Many HS’s split the sequence, offering AB the first year and BC the second year. Regardless, OP did not specify the STEM are and even so, BC in HS is not needed for a physics major. Finally, taking BC as a junior unless MVC as a senior is an option (which relatively few HS’s offer) is not the best strategy, IMO.
But back to the OP, honors chem is preferential to APUSH, IMO. As others have said, APUSH can be a huge time suck.
To clarify, I would be taking regular chem in place of Honors chem.
Take Honors chem and Honors Us History + your 3 AP’s. That’s plenty in terms of rigor.
Don’t forget level 3 or 4 of a foreign language if you’re aiming for very selective colleges.
Assuming I take Honors Chem over APUSH, my courses would include the following:
Spanish IV
AP Comp Sci
US History
Honors Chem
AP English Lang
AP Calculus AB
misc theology class (required by my HS)
No Spanish 4H and US History H?
Take classes you like rather than to impress. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and choosing appropriately is not frowned upon.
If your qualified for AP history I would take honors US history rather than regular US History
Some schools don’t have honors ush.