<p>My school works like this: In 9th grade we take (Honors) Bio, in 10th we take (Honors) Chem. In 11th and 12th, we're allowed to choose to take any science course we want to (or not take any...) as long as we complete some form of Physics (Reg, Honors, or AP) by the end of our senior year. I don't know how your school works with it, but mine requires us to receive credit for Chem, Bio, and Physics in order to graduate; whatever else we do with the extra space is our choice.</p>
<p>Personally, I took AP Chem in junior year b/c I felt I'd have an easier time in it, having just taken Honors Chem. Also was interested in some more in-depth chemistry.</p>
<p>Plus, my school just really really likes to offer lots of AP courses. Haha.</p>
<p>@moodragonx</p>
<p>Still think you should just drop AB Calc and stick with BC, especially if you're a hardcore math/science student. Again, first semester of BC just repeats all of AB, and it's a waste of time and space to take it in the same year. And actually, I was bored first semester of BC--barely studied for any tests. The real challenge came second semester when we hit the real BC material. (Again, I'm not math-savvy at all.)</p>
<p>I'm not familiar with your AP English III/IV terminology. Is that AP Lang and AP Lit?</p>
<p>I actually did call around to a few colleges and from what I found the credit acceptance does vary greatly. Most colleges I found accepted AP's with no question (though different schools looked for different minimum exam scores for offering credit). Community colege credits, however, depended on the school a lot. Some (like UPENN) told me they would take as many credits as long as they were considered transferable classes by the school. Others had a set number like 64 credits, and others (like Harvard) claimed they would accept no transfer credit at all, and only considered the classes on basis of placement (to clear prerequisites). However, this is the first time I've heard of a school rejecting to accept an AP course with a 5 on the exam. I'm a little scared now, but even if the classes get rejected by the college I choose to enter, I'd rather be taking these than anything else on the course offerings.</p>
<p>I personally don't see the fact that I like science and as just an attempt to take a bunch of insane courses just too look good. Though I don't know how adcoms will see it. I'm taking these classes because I like the subjects (except a few which I'm taking because I have to -.-) and have interest in that field. Though I do understand what the merits would be of a candidate with an impressive selection of arts and proven excellence in them along with more challenging courses like the infamous "calculus", I don't see how or why taking an easy class I have no interest in at all like pottery will speak well of me. If given the opportunity to explain myself I'll have to try my best to do so, but if not I'll just have to trust the judgment of whoever's looking through my application.</p>
<p>I was worried about the lack of arts but I'm truly not interested and don't want to just throw things in to have something to haphazardly claim on. The drumming I wasn't planning on mentioning too much. I mean, I have fun with it but it's not quite a passion as much as it is a hobby.</p>
<p>As for taking repeated courses, my school puts AP's a step ahead of the standard/honors levels of the classes. Basically, any AP has a prerequisite of the same name. This includes AP World History, Bio, Chem, and Physics. Others are exclusively AP like Calculus and Stat. A few you have the option of taking the AP version or lesser like Psychology or the AP Englishes. I'm not actually sure why this is but might have to do with the course material. AP classes are obviously intended to be more difficult and for that reason I guess their trying to push students to be prepared for a difficult course before running into it. May also help keep test results a bit higher or something.</p>
<p>If what your saying is true I'd gladly drop Calc AB. But it just so happens that AB is a prereq for BC in my school. But since your talking about 2 semesters of BC, if you elect to take AB/BC you basically take AB first semester, and BC second semester and clean house in a year which seems like what you were talking about as well (as you said the first semester of BC was just AB stuff) though I could be misunderstanding. Sadly I really have no choice so I'm stuck in this pattern if I want to take BC, or convince my school board to let me do otherwise... which is unheard of and I have no problem with sitting thorough an extra math. Well actually if it is like you said I do have a problem with it but I doubt they'll let me skip a prerequisite just because I want to.</p>
<p>It'd be like taking AB. Then taking AB again. And then finally BC stuff (since the AB stuff is automatically included in the BC). At least, that's my understanding of the BC curriculum. (My school doesn't block, so I can just be talking past you here?)</p>
<p>Does this mean you'll have to take both AB and BC exams, instead of just taking the BC with AB subscore? Because that .... would be a pain.</p>
<p>Huh... you know, I can't say I know. I've never thought how the exams would fit into a schedule like that. I'd assume since I'm technically still going through two different classes I'll likely have to sit through two full exams, though hopefully on different days or something.</p>
<p>I'm trying to remember from last spring. I think I remember reading on the reg. form that if you are taking the BC exam you cannot take the AB exam. It was a long time ago though.</p>
<p>RE the doubling of courses. Our school isn't that big so maybe it doesn't work out scheduling wise for students to take one year of the science and later an AP year of the science. Likewise with the history classes, no prep year for the AP. For calculus, it is billed as AB, but in starting in March there are optional classes before school to cover the BC material. Only about 8 kids did that and my daughter was the only girl.</p>
<p>Our school's system seems to free up some course periods making it easier to take an art or music each semester. Our high school requires at least 2 semesters of a fine art for graduation.</p>
<p>Moodragonx - good thinking checking with the colleges already. You seem really on top of things.</p>
<p>So does that mean you won't get credit for both courses (assuming I were to score high enough on either)? It brings up issues I didn't think of before. I'll have to ask my counselor about it. </p>
<p>I really appreciate the help thus far and will take any more advice! Thanks :).</p>
<p>Well, you do know that Calc BC encompasses all of Calc BC. I am in calc bc, so trust me.<br>
Collegeboard actually sets up the dates of the AB and BC exams so they are on the exact same day at the same time. There is no reason to take both anyways, since the BC exam will provide an AB subscore. What I don't understand is why you went from Alg. 2 to Calc BC? Where is your Geometry, or Precal?
Also, you wouldn't really be taking 7 AP courses.. AP Chem first and second semester does not count as two AP courses. I do not know why you split them up. You would be taking 5 courses. That is quite a lot for the entire year.</p>
<p>I really can't get out of taking AB though since it's a prereq for BC at my school. since it has an AB subscore I suppose it won't matter that I won't take the AB exam so I guess that eases things a bit.</p>
<p>I accidentally counted some of the sciences twice my bad :o. I listed them twice because there are 8 classes alotted each year for your schedule and they break down into individual semesters (4 per semester). I listed that class twice because it was "double-blocked" in that it counts for two classes in my school and take up the whole year. I accidentally counted it twice. Oops. Though that still means the same things as "7 AP's" as far as my schedule is concerned and the number of classes I'm in, it only equates to 5 AP exams as you said.</p>
<p>As for geometry, I took it in 8th grade (the natural progression in my district is ALG 1 - Geometry - Alg 2 - Precalc - Calc AB - Calc BC). I'm taking precalc this year. I just noticed that I completely messed up while laying out my schedule:</p>
<p>in the "Courses I’m Currently Taking in High School" heading, "honors chemistry" should be "honors precalc", and "honors physics and economics" should be "honors civics and economics". In addition in the senior year heading I meant to include that AP Bio was double blocked, meaning I have only 1 free slot open senior year. Not that any of that really matters, I just realized, though, that I rally messed up while laying out my schedule. Woops.</p>
<p>Thanks for pointing that out :). I'll gladly accept any other or more advice/tips!</p>
<p>You need to chill out and enjoy high school. A schedule like that will leave no time for protecting your social well-being, which is much more important than academics.</p>
<p>While I definitely appreciate the concern (and find the gesture kind of funny :)) and also see where you're coming from I think I'll handle it. If by social well being you imply something on the lines of "a social life" I'm quite set in that respect though you may not be able to take my word for that. If you mean something more of a mental/physical healthy state I'm confident I can handle it, and if not I have the option of dropping a class for something less intense. But simply put, I WANT to take these courses.</p>
<p>I scoured the pages of my school's course offering's booklet and found which classes I actually wanted to take before I graduated. I've refined it over time and I really don't see any classes in the booklet that I'd rather take more (for the material taught primarily, but I'm not going to deny college aspirations influenced the decision to an extent).</p>
<p>I really do enjoy high school and plan to enjoy it for the remaining 2.5 years I'll spend there. I'm having plenty of fun and quite relaxed as well. Though I'm near-certain that relaxation will fall a bit once exam time comes around May next year but then again I have 2 more months after that to cope :p. And sleep. Plenty of sleep.</p>
<p>I dunno, I may give off the idea that I'm stressing about the onslaught of everything coming my way into later years of high school and beyond, but I'm really not. I personally think life's way too much fun to let stress get in your way, but again, only if you can take my word for it. :)</p>
<p>I'll take your word for it. Just thought I'd throw the reminder out there. Some people get so caught up in academics that they forget to enjoy themselves. </p>
<p>If you can make your way through that roster of classes while at the same time having a good time, then by all means, go for it!</p>
<p>Okay, here is how NOT to get caught up in your procrastinating. First step: limit your time on CC to one hour a week at the most, preferably on the weekend. Try Sunday night so you can read about how hard it is to get into top schools and that will motivate you to get your work done. Limit your online communications in general: block out however many hours a week you decide you want to spend on Facebook, CC, or whatever and then stick to that limit. Second: Get a paper calendar (one that is not on your computer) and write down your various activities in different colors of ink/highlighter/whatever. Schedule in your class time, study time, play time, and project time. Check your calendar every morning when you wake up and every evening before you go to bed. This helps prevent the dreaded "homework denial" which leads one to believe they have plenty of time and can do their work "tomorrow or the next day," when actually they have a giant project due tomorrow. That leads to all nighters and a poorer GPA. Third: Studies show that teens who get enough sleep remember more and test better. Develop good sleep hygiene. Fourth: you might try setting aside a few minutes a day to meditate. This will help you stay focused and healthy. One look at your schedule is going to make every counselor tell you to relax and enjoy high school. So figure out a system that works for you. If you have the insurance and/or money and believe a huge crash is waiting around the next corner, you can find an ADD-type coach, usually a therapist, but sometimes just a coach, who can help you strategize on organization, planning, and follow through. (BTW, you do not sound like you have ADD, but since procrastination is such a large part of that LD, someone who specializes in it can probably give you some tips) You have a lot of ambition. Stay happy, high school goes fast. Good luck.</p>
<p>Wow, moodragonx, you remind me a lot of myself. I too stuffed my schedule full of the most difficult classes i could. I do envy you on the fact that your school offers many more AP classes than my does (mine only offers seven). I just want to advise you to not burn yourself out. You need to find a balance of school and friends. I do know that if you have the same drive and ambition as I do, which is apparent in your workload, that you will be able to handle everything just fine. So good luck with your next 2.5 years of highschool and i hope everything works out for you.</p>
<p>Ah, I apologize for not responding for some time.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips on avoiding procrastination! That whole things was/is extremely helpful and I'll be sure to definitely look into all of that. That's probably the one things I'll most need to do is get myself extremely organized, though I've never been one for organization (always preferred to free-hand it and always agonized over sticking to anything too strict) I'll give it all I've got in that respect.</p>
<p>As for extracurriculars, yeah I've got a few but I'm going to want to get some solid ones that I can really devote to. I actually started another thread looking for tips on that, and I'm still looking. But, yeah I'll definitely hang on to a few EC's at least through it all.</p>
<p>And thanks for the encouragement. I'm pretty glad to have landed in a shcool that offered so many AP's as well. I recently moved and the High school I was supposed to end up going to only offered 4 (plus the school wasn't that great overall). My school offers more selection, but isn't all that much better all things considered. Regardless, I'll definitely be looking to strike that perfect balance. It'll definitely be a learning process but I'm confident I'll manage. Thanks again, I appreciate it!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. This has (and continues to be) a HUGE help. I'll take any more advice anyone may be wanting to dish out. :).</p>
<p>welcome to the club.....I've heard for so many years "how can you get such good grades and be well adjusted" !!!!! .......I've always taken that personally......I play baseball on 2 teams, I fly every weekend, and have a part time job.....however, I too, have NO idea why I have to take a "fine art" class.....it's MANDATORY in my school district.....the reason I'm pushing myself is twofold.....my hope to go into medical school and become a flight surgeon.....and most importantly, if I can't handle the pressue in high school I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have taken an appointment from someone who WAS willing to push him/her self to the limit at the academy......</p>