Summer Programs vs APs - ADVICE PLEASE!!!

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

Super long post, but I am in desperate need for some advice!

I’m a junior (Class of 2017) and I am trying to decide what to do over the summer while accounting for my class schedule for senior year… I would really appreciate any advice for what to do!

Here’s some background info:

Classes I plan to take as a senior:

  • Advanced Band
  • AP English Language
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Government and Economics (need advice for these, not sure if I want to take them)
  • SCIENCE?!?! (Chemistry, AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science?)
  • maybe AP Computer Science? (depends on Science class)

About my science class dilemma:

  • Science classes I have taken: Biology (9th), AP Physics 1 (10th), AP Physics C (11th).
  • I want to take AP Biology as a senior, but Chemistry is a prerequisite.
  • I would prefer AP Environmental Science, but UCs like to see all 3 basic sciences.
  • If I do not take AP Biology, I can add AP Computer Science as an elective.
  • I am applying to several summer programs: COSMOS, Girls Who Code, SIMR, and SSP.
  • I have the option of taking Chemistry over the summer, but that would take up most of the summer and I wouldn’t be able to do COSMOS, SIMR, and SSP if I get accepted.
  • I MIGHT be able to take a Chemistry class at night over the summer, which would allow me to go to the Girls Who Code program, which is in the morning and evening.
  • Not to be cocky, but I expect to be accepted by COSMOS and Girls Who Code.
  • I applied to COSMOS at UC Davic for Biomedical Science and Computers in Biophysics and Robotics. I feel like I would enjoy COSMOS more, but I have been advised that Girls Who Code would look better on a college application since so many people go to COSMOS and I plan to “package” myself as a computer science girl.
  • I will be very busy over the summer (college applications and summer homework for AP classes).

So these are some of my options: (assuming that I get accepted into certain programs):

Category A: Moderately likely options:

  1. Take Chemistry over the summer, not a summer program. I would be able to spend more time on college applications and summer homework for AP classes. I would also be able to take AP Biology.
  2. Try to take Chemistry at night and Girls Who Code in the afternoon. I would be able to take AP Biology.
  3. Go to COSMOS. No AP Biology, take Chemistry and add APCS.
  4. Go to COSMOS. No AP Biology, take AP Environmental Science and add APCS.

Category B: Some high unlikely options:
5. Go to SSP. No AP Biology, take Chemistry and add APCS.
6. Go to SSP. No AP Biology, take AP Environmental Science and add APCS.

Category C: Under the 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance I get into SIMR:
7. Go to SIMR. No AP Biology, take Chemistry and add APCS.
8. Go to SIMR. No AP Biology, take AP Environmental Science and add APCS.
Although if I did get into SIMR, I really wouldn’t care about anything else, I’d just die of shock/happiness/disbelief.

If you actually read all of that, thank you so much, you are amazing and unbelievably patient.
Again, I appreciate any advice! Please answer one of my questions below or comment your thoughts!

  1. In general: Should I take Chemistry or AP Environmental Science?
  2. In general: Should I take a summer program or a class that will let me take AP Biology?
  3. Which option, #1-8, do you advise me to take?
  4. What is the top option in each category (A, B, C)?
  5. Rate COSMOS, Girls Who Code Summer Immersion, Summer Science Program (SSP), and SIMR.
  6. Should I drop an AP (and if so, which one? I'm thinking one of the History classes) to lighten my workload?

Thanks so much! :slight_smile:

2

definitely take chemistry, either during the year or over the summer. What else you do is up to you.

3

I would do category A option 2. I am confused as to why you did not take Chemistry earlier and went right into two years of physics as a sophomore and junior.

4

@kimclan1 I signed up for Chemistry for junior year, but my school didn’t have space in Chemistry and had a quota to fill for AP Physics C. Since I already took AP Physics 1 and C was my second choice, they put me in C :frowning:

5

I feel so bad for you! There should not be a quota to be filled for classes.

6

Can you take AP Chemistry?

7

If she hasn’t taken regular chem yet, she’d probably have a very difficult time in AP Chem.

I would try and do a summer program and take Chem over the summer so you can take AP bio during the school year.

8

If you’re trying to package yourself as a CS person, then I think you really should take APCS. Also definitely try to get chemistry in somehow! I’d say option 2, but maybe just enjoy your time at GWC and take chem during the school year so you can also get in APCS.