I’m currently a sophomore deciding for my classes in junior year. I have straight As currently and I had straight As but one B in Chemistry Honors last semester. This means I have an A in World History Honors right now, but my teacher in the class is really lenient, so I feel like I haven’t learned much and I only needed to put in minimal effort to get an A in the class. Last semester, I had 120% in quarter 2 because of how much extra credit I got in that class… I’m already set on taking AP Literature and AP Psychology next year, I don’t know if I want to take APUSH. I also want to get into Computer Science when I go to college, that’s what I want to major in, which means I want to take Pre-Calculus BC Honors instead of Pre-Calculus AB next year. This will be a harder class which will add to my workload for next year. APUSH isn’t something that I need to learn for computer science, but I want to get into a good college and I know colleges want students in high school to take classes to challenge yourself. Any advices on what I should do? Thanks.
What type of colleges are you thinking about? If your state U and the like, then Honors US History would be fine. If you are looking for top 30 type colleges, then take AP USH.
A few comments:
–Your decision will depend in part on what level of college you are targeting. If you want to attend an hyper-competitive college they will want to see your guidance counselor check the box saying you have taken the most rigorous schedule available at your HS. (That does not necessarily mean taking the most APs.) If you are aiming for these colleges discuss with your guidance counselor if your proposed schedule without APUSH will qualify for most rigorous.
–That said you don’t want to overload and not do well. Nobody here knows or your individual abilities, aptitudes etc. I would talk to your current HS History teacher as well as your HS guidance counselor for advice and work together to craft a schedule that makes sense for YOU. AP History is generally considered to be a very rigorous class but like all classes the level of difficulty is somewhat teacher/school dependent.
–What are the alternatives? Is there an Honors US History you can take?
–What other commitments do you have (ex. work, ECs etc.)?
@bopper I’m not looking for ivy league schools, but schools like UCSD or UIUC. I also feel like 2 AP classes junior year isn’t enough, as I have never had an AP class before and 2 junior year doesn’t seem like enough.
@happy1 like I mentioned with bopper, I’m not looking for ivy league schools that are way too competitive, just schools like UCSD or UIUC that I think I can get in. I can take an Honors US History, but I feel like I don’t have enough AP classes currently, and I heard APUSH is just a lot of memorizing, that is something I’m not afraid of. I tutor once a week for 3 hours and I have a volunteer position at a museum that I go to at least twice a month for 4 hours. However, next year I’m most likely going to have a job, since I have an internship during the summer that guarantees me a job afterwards if they feel that I’m useful for the position. Even if not, I will probably find a job at In-N-Out or something so regardless I will still be working…
At our school US History is a graduation requirement. It’s either regular or APUSH. AP psychology is the most popular elective class at our school and many seniors take the class. Just my opinion AP Lit (it’s Language at our school) is fine. It common at our school to take AB junior year and BC senior year. Also what AP computer classes can you take?
@Nicki20 There are no computer classes that are AP I can take… I took computer science two years, but the teacher is god horrible, he doesn’t teach and he gives tests last day of quarter because he needs at least two tests in a quarter. I’m taking Computer Science 2 Honors right now, but there is no honors or AP class provided for computer science the third year… I’m taking Web Design 2 honors and Graphic Design 3 next year, those are the only 2 computer classes I can take. I want to take BC because I know I will need that for computer science, and I’m not afraid of math either. If I don’t take AP USH, I will for sure be taking Honors US history, I just don’t know if I want AP or Honors
If you take BC this year what math would you take next year?
OP, be careful about APUSH-it’s not just about memorization. You will be doing a lot of reading (roughly a chapter and a half a week) and will be expected to formulate an argument and support it.
The writing involved in APUSH tends to cause a lot of havoc with students. I don’t know how it’s taught in your school, but it is considered one of the hardest of the non-STEM classes. I would advise you not to take it if you feel uncomfortable with doing a lot of reading/writing and analysis.
@Nicki20 Ok firstly, I’m deciding to take BC junior year, which is next year, I’m a sophomore right now. So junior year I will be taking Pre-Calculus BC Honors, and Senior year will be AP Calculus
@Hamurtle Oh I see, I’m guessing you have taken the class before. How long do you think I should expect to spend each day at home on APUSH junior year if I did decide to take it?
@ kennycai I took the class in the early ‘80s in high school (as a sophomore) so things may have changed. I’m basing what I know from my son’s APUSH experiences as a junior 2 years ago.
The textbook you will likely be using is American Pageant. That has been the stock APUSH book since the 1970s. Back in my day it was about 700 pages and now it’s close to 1200. So a lot of reading is involved. My son’s APUSH teacher had them write paragraph summaries for every chapter they read in the form of a thesis with supporting facts/arguments. The multiple choice tests were pretty tricky-all of the answers choices were variations of the correct answer.
You might want to ask someone you know how the APUSH class is taught in your school and make your decision based on their experiences.
Expect to spend a good hour a day reading and analysis of facts.
I misread your original post. AB and BC are two different classes at our school but both are AP classes. I now understand your reasoning. As other posters have pointed out each school is different. In regards to APUSH. What’s easier at one school may be more difficult than another. My daughter is the same age as you and did her junior schedule for next year a month ago. She is taking APUSH. She is also taking 3 other AP’s. Freshman year she had one AP sophomore year 2 AP. The two this year one is her easiest class the other her hardest. Sometimes asking someone who has taken AP classes at your school may be helpful
For the colleges you are considering I’d talk to the guidance counselor, your history teacher, and students who have taken APUSH before at your HS. As I said earlier, nobody here can give you a definite answer as we do not know the particulars at your HS (level of course difficulty, what classes top students take etc.) nor do we know your abilities in the subjects. Seek out information from those who know you and your school.
No.
@Waterborne Any reasoning behind that?
The crux of APUSH is content-based. Your achievement is no substitute for your aptitude and you likely will never use APUSH again. Do something else.