<p>I'll be a senior next year and I am undecided of what classes I should take, or which would be the best combination of classes. So far I know that I will definatelly take AP bio, AP chem, and pre cal. Now, I want to also take stats, but I heard that honors stats in my high school is extremely easy, so I dont really want it to be that easy, I want to have classes that will get me ready for college. I dont plan to skip classes in college. If I take those four, I will also take computers class, regular government, and regular english. If I DON'T take AP stats I'll take Honors government and honors english. What do you guys think, should I go for the more challenging Stats or the easy one? Which combination of classes would look more competitive in my college application? Which combo would get me more ready for a biology major?</p>
<p>I’m a senior taking IB Chem, IB Bio and AP Stats (similar to what you want to do). I don’t know how stats is at your school, but, as a math/science kind of person, I have really enjoyed AP stats and I haven’t found it a difficult class at all. I guess your decision should be based on what colleges you’re looking into. Personally, I would take AP Stats and honors english too. I think the AP Bio and Chem is the strongest for wanting to become a bio major either taking AP Stats or regular stats isn’t a big deal. Talk to others who have taken those classes you are considering-that has always helped me the most!</p>
<p>My DD, a HS junior, is taking Pre-Calc honors, AP Stats, AP Chem, AP USHist, Physics Honors, French 3 Honors and Lit Honors this year. The Stats class is not the problem - but overall, it’s a lot of work since she plays 3 sports and gets home late. The Chem kids do problem sets together and that seems to keep them going (stay motivated) so if your teacher encourages that, I’d suggest studying together. My DD is strong in math/sci but actually prefers Humanities (or thinks so at this stage of the game). Good luck. She SAYS she plans to take AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Lit, AP Calc BC, AP Psych, French 4 Honors, and Spanish 3 Honors next year. Personally I think she should chose only one of the sciences and take something “fun” instead.</p>
<p>Are your two choices as follows?</p>
<p>Option 1: AP Bio, AP Chem, precalc, AP Stats, comp sci, govt, english</p>
<p>Option 2: AP bio, AP chem, precalc, honors stats, comp sci, honors govt, honors english</p>
<p>If so, I would opt for option 2, as 2 AP + 3 honors > 3 AP + 0 honors (imo)</p>
<p>You have 2 sciences, a math, 2 math electives and 2 humanities. I would try to show a more well-rounded ability by taking the honors humanities. No college is going to discern that your high school’s AP stats is hard but your honors stats is easy. Also, I don’t think that taking AP stats is going to beef up your relatively lower level math.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is the logistics of your schedule. You may not have the option of fitting in all of the classes you choose. There may be irreconcilable time conflicts.</p>
<p>ddammmmn were only allowewd tot ake 2 year long APs or 4 semester APs a year</p>
<p>My D (HS senior) was too agressive with her courseload - 4 year-long APs + calculus + an added math class. Add a varsity sport and ECs, and time is an issue. </p>
<p>In 1 specific AP class her grade has been low and time demand extremely high, so she is considering dropping it (has sufficient credits & specific for graduation & admissions without this class or a replacement) The alternative is work harder and get that grade up, which we as parents prefer, but so far extra effort has not helped. </p>
<p>If she drops this AP class what would the impact be on her admission decision at schools that have not yet accepted her? Is “time conflict” an acceptable reason given 4 APs, etc.? Do admissions committees see this as a negative and lower her chances?</p>
<p>Her HS guidance counselor will allow the drop, but believes she would need to notify colleges and we don’t want to lose acceptances already received or negatively impact pending chances.</p>
<p>Anyone out there with a similar situation? We would appreciate any insights…</p>
<p>Regards,
Serena26</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>serena26, my older DD got mono in fall of senior year and this was an issue. SHe had followed a tough academic path up until that time, but late junior year, she decided to apply for a BFA in Graphic Design. She figured her art portfolio would be considered more important than her AP classes. She wasn’t applying to top 20 schools because they didn’t offer the program she wanted. But even still, she did call schools like Syracuse, Carnegie Mellon and RIT to see if the change would hurt her. She was told no, because she was still taking challenging academic classes.</p>
<p>In her case, her AP teachers “strongly recommended” that she switch out of their sections, citing that she would miss too much, and class participation could not be made up. Because her initial tests were negative, the GC kept insisting she come to school for partial days (if she was up for it). So, since she was in and out over two months, she wasn’t eligible for tutors. SO she switched her AP Calc and AP Physics to Honors level. Even her AP Psych teacher made an issue so she switched. They allowed her to keep AP Art History probably because there wasn’t a lower level. At that point, she was too sick to care and was trying to pull together a portfolio and college apps. Truthfully, she was overwhelmed with trying to do it all. </p>
<p>In the end, her GPA was ok but her rank dropped without the “weighting”. Luckily her Merit scholarships weren’t affected because they were based on her GPA/rank at the end of junior year.</p>
<p>My younger DD, who is currently a HS junior, just had mono. This time I stepped in and backed her up when she wanted to keep her AP (Chem, USHistory and Statistics) classes. She’s undecided about a major. It has been very difficult catching up (she plays 3 sports so I understand the time issues). BUT she’s only a junior so doesn’t have all the college apps/interviews to deal with.</p>
<p>I recommend giving a call to the colleges she was accepted to and maybe inquire at the others. I’m not sure if “time issues” due to sports is a legit excuse, unless she’s a recruited athlete.</p>
<p>serena26, I don’t think it is a big deal to drop a class, if her grade is dropping despite attempts to raise her grade. I think that mostly colleges don’t want students to drop all their classes the second semester of their senior year because of “senioritis” or because they would rather goof off. With a valid reason, I don’t believe that dropping a difficult AP class will hurt her chances of admission.</p>