Is it possible that I skip regular chemistry and take AP chemistry? I would like to skip chemistry because I plan to take AP physics 1 and 2 my junior and senior year. I wouldn’t have enough room for AP chemistry, but I would still like to take the course. Chemistry is not a pre-requisite for AP chemistry.
If chemistry isn’t a prereq for AP at your school, then yeah, you can. It’ll be quite a bit more difficult, but you could do it.
I’d agree with @hungryteenager. Entering in sophomore year (high school begins in 10th grade for us) I tried to register for AP Chem right away without Gen Chem “for a challenge,” but my counselor wouldn’t allow me to. Now as a junior, having taken regular Chemistry, I’m in AP Chemistry now. I’d agree that it would be more difficult without that previous year of knowledge, but the first semester is just a bit more-in-depth review of the entire Gen Chem year. Taking AP Chemistry is manageable without Chemistry as a prerequisite.
Are you looking to go into a physics field? If you’re not, it might not be necessary to prioritize two years of physics into your schedule and you might be able to get by with just AP Physics 1. That way you would have room to take both Chemistry and AP Chemistry sophomore and junior year, respectively.
You have a lot of options and you need to discuss this with your counselor (and possibly your teacher) soon.
- Doubling Up
You might be allowed to take more than one science course a year and you could possibly do this schedule:
10th- Regular/Honors Chemistry and AP Physics 1
11th-AP Chemistry or AP Physics 2 or AP Physics C
12th-AP Chemistry or AP Physics 2 or AP Physics C
Note: You mast have the math corequisites to take these classes
AP Physics 1=Algebra 2
AP Physics 2=Precalculus
AP Physics C=Calculus - Summer Courses
You could also take classes during the summer at summer school or programs like CTY. - Online Courses
You could take classes from programs like EPGY or FLVS during the school year or i the summer (I think)
Make sure to talk to your counselor to find the best option for you
Also, if you’re going to take AP Calculus (either one) by the end of high school I would take AP Physics C senior year after taking AP Physics 1.
I did exactly what you are proposing. I couldn’t get Gen. Chem in my schedule so I made a case to jump straight into AP Chem my senior yr (this yr). I’m the only kid in the class who hasn’t taken general Chem and I’ve had to work my *** off and still only got an 89 first semester. Halfway through 3rd quarter I’m finally up to a 94. Just be prepared to work. I am taking AP Calc, AP English Lang/Comp, AP English Lit/Comp at the same time so that stuff takes a lot of time too.
Are you a current freshman? Can’t you just double up on AP Chem and Physics 1 your junior year? I’m doing that this year, and it’s actually pretty manageable…however, I definitely don’t think I would be doing as well if I had skipped honors chemistry in 10th grade. It’s always more beneficial in the long run to make sure your basics are solid, especially if you’ve never taken a chemistry class before.
Yes, I’m currently a freshman and I may consider doubling up on AP chemistry and physics 1, although I would like to take many other AP’s along with those. Would that be risky?
This would be my junior schedule if I doubled up on chem and physics:
-AP Chemistry
-AP Language/Composition (should be easy for me, I’m good at English)
-AP Calculus AB
-Honors Spanish 3 (no regular is provided)
-AP US History
-AP Physics 1
Would this be too much? Should I forget about AP US history? I would definitely have to take calculus, honors spanish, and at least one of the science classes. I could forget about US history (AP), but lang should be easy for me. What should I do?
As @IAmNotCreativ said, senior year you should probably take AP Physics C instead of AP Physics 2 based on your planned AP Calculus experience.
AP US History might be difficult because it’s supposedly a lot of reading and just a lot of work in general, although if you feel you can handle it, that’s what you should take junior year. If you’re insistent on taking US History, you could possibly wait until senior year to take it if there’s room. Otherwise you could also, as you were stating before, take it junior year to get it over with.
Does your school offer AP Spanish? That could also be a possibility for your senior year after Honors 3 in junior year.
Ultimately, you have over a year to decide if you can handle all of these courses, including and especially the sciences and US History. You’re still only a freshman, which means you might be just getting used to the courseload. Sophomore year should be different and potentially more difficult, and it will give you time to decide if you’re ready for your planned coursework by junior and senior year.
Yes, my school does offer AP Spanish, which I intend on taking. If I were to drop an AP class my junior year, it would most likely be US history. Also, would I even be able to do well in AP physics C while taking calculus BC? Of course I’ll have taken calculus AB before physics C, but would AB prepare me?
The calculus used in AP Physics C is not that advanced. You will be more than prepared having taken calculus AB.
AP Physics C is often taken by seniors who are concurrently taking AP Calc (AB or BC) so I think you would be okay with only AP Calc AB
If I were to follow this junior year schedule, my senior schedule would look like:
-AP Physics 2 or C
-AP Literature/Composition
-AP Calculus BC
-AP Spanish 4
-AP US Gov/Politics
-Some fun class (LOL)
Too much? If I wanted to major in something science-related, would not taking AP biology look bad (I’m acing Honors Biochemistry, but I don’t really like the class)?
By the end of my high school career I’ll have taken these science courses:
-Physics 1-2 (I took this class in 8th grade)
-Honors Biochemistry (currently taking as a freshman, counts as my biology class)
-Chemistry (no honors is provided, 10th grade)
-Physics 3-4 (no honors is provided, 10th grade)
-AP Chemistry (11th grade)
-AP Physics 1 (11th grade)
-AP Physics 2 or C (12th grade)
Should I fit another science class in my schedule? Obviously, I’m interested in physics and chemistry, but not biology. Should I not worry about AP biology or environmental science? My school offers AP biology, AP chemistry, AP computer science, AP environmental science, AP physics 1 & 2, and AP physics C. My school also only offers three AP math classes: calculus AB, calculus BC, and statistics. Should I take AP statistics? The rest of the math classes are general courses, such as algebra and geometry, and a lot of alternatives for algebra 2. I’m not even sure if I have room.
If bio is not your thing, there is no reason to take AP Bio. There is no expectation that you take every AP offered.
Statistics is a class that has relevance to a lot of professions, so if that class can be worked in, that could be good.
Thanks! I’ll consider taking AP statistics.
Don’t take Physics 3-4 in 10th grade, at most schools AP Physics 1 is substituted for an honors physics course so you would be repeating a lot of material which is unnecessary. Take AP Stat or an elective instead.
Also, take AP Physics C as a senior.
Thanks! This really helped! I think I’m done asking questions throughout my freshman year LOL.