Too Many APs for Sophomore Year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hello guys!
So I am currently a freshman in high school and a high-A student. This is my current schedule:
-World History Academic (unfortunately due to late enrollment, they couldn’t put me in AP even though I qualified for it)
-Geometry Honors
-Algebra 2 Honors (my school allows you to take two math courses if you have exceptional abilities)
-English 1 Honors
-Biology Honors/Lab
-Music Experience (only elective available)

Next year, this is my planned schedule:
-English 2 Honors
-Pre-Calc Honors
-US History 1 Honors
-AP Chemistry (I’m planning to take an Honors Chemistry/Lab Course over the summer)
-AP Statistics

What do you guys think of the schedule? Is it too much for a sophomore? Also, is Algebra 2 enough for AP Stats? Please give me your thoughts, and thank you in advance for all answers.

2

No

Your lack of a foreign language could prove problematic.

In theory, yes. Assuming that Algebra 2 is all your school lists as a prereq, it’s fine.

3

At my school, AP Stat is geared towards 11th and 12th graders because there are prerequisites that need to be completed beforehand. Does your school allow 10th graders to take AP Stat? If you think that you can handle it, then do so. It’s one of the ‘easier’ AP classes in general. What about AP Bio instead of AP Chemistry? You will have just finished regular Biology once you get to AP Bio (if you decide to take it). Even though you’re taking a Chemistry course over the summer, all the information you learn just from that summer course might not be enough for AP Chem. If you’re interested in other AP classes that sophomores take (without getting overloaded), AP Environmental Science, AP European History, and AP Bio (like I mentioned) are some options. Overall though, no, I don’t think that would be too much of an overload. Just some suggestions!

4

Thanks skieurope. And about the foreign language, I forgot to include that for next year’s schedule. I will definitely take one, most likely Spanish.

5

I was also thinking of joining marching band next year, which I understand is a huge commitment, but I still want to do it because I heard it’s really fun. Do you think that may cause problems for me assuming my planned schedule is what I will get next year?

6

Thanks lionking. My school allows you to take any course whenever you want as long as you have the pre-reqs. Algebra 2 is the pre-req course for AP Stats. However, for AP Bio, you have to have finished Physics or be concurrently enrolled in it (not sure why). For AP Chem, you had to have finished Alg 2, which I will have. And about the summer course, I think it will be fine, and I will most likely use a supplement online course along with it just to make sure I am on top of everything.

7

Oh okay that makes sense. Given that information, I would go ahead and take AP Stat and AP Chem. Since AP Stat is easier and AP Chem is more difficult, they will balance each other out. I would try to make sure you have at least 2 years of a foreign language somewhere in your high school transcript (even though you are a freshman now, it’s just something to remember) because most colleges require/recommend at least 2 years. Good luck!

As for marching band, I don’t think you’ll have a problem. There are many people in my high school’s marching band that are extremely high-achieving and take multiple APs with no problem at all. I would definitely try it out- I don’t think it will cause you any problems. Plus, it’s an EC, which will look great for college. As long as you manage your time wisely, you’ll be okay.

8

My school requires only one year of world language but I plan on three. Thanks!

9

Regardless of what your school requires, you should keep an eye on what your targeted colleges require.

10

No, that shouldn’t be too much for a sophomore. I’m currently a sophomore and I’m taking AP Gov and my grade is a 96 but you need to put a lot more time into an AP class as opposed to an academic or honors class. Why are you interested in taking AP Chem so soon? You might want to take H Bio, H Chem, and H Physics and then take AP of whatever those you were best at or liked more. Last year I thought I was okay at Bio and was planning on taking ap bio junior or senior year, but now I’m in H Chem and I’m better at it and like it more so I plan on taking AP Chem in senior year (unless I like physics more!).

11

I think you should be ok. I’m a sophmore in AP World and AP Physics I and I’m doing well. Work load is more than last year, but I still have plenty of time for extracurriculars. There are people who take them that do varsity sports also and manage just fine.

12

Thanks for your help guys! I appreciate all responses.
MPC6789: I am interested in taking AP Chem next year so I can concentrate on AP Physics in junior year, and AP Bio and AP Physics 2 in senior. This way I won’t have to take 3 science APs in senior year and 2 science APs in junior. I hope this answers your question.

13

I think it’s good.

14

I think you’re good but regardless of the language you choose, make sure you take at least 3 years since most selective universities will expect it (and if you’re aiming for top 25 universities/LACs, level 4/AP will be expected - even if requirements don’t state it as a loophole for students from schools offered less than that).
As for the rest, it should be doable.
You should try and take an art clas (art history, painting, photography…)

15

Thanks for your answers guys!

16

So I recently heard that you need to be in Physics or have finished any Physics course (AP, Honors, or Academic) to be in AP Chem. However, the school may allow me to bend the rules if I finish Chemistry. For those of you who have taken AP Chem already, do you think that knowledge of Physics is really required?

17

at my school people go from honors chem to AP chem directly without physic reason being they cover the same topics but Ap chem at a deeper level.

18

@njstudent201 physics is definitely not needed for AP Chem. I took the class and got A’s and a 5 on the exam with no exposure to physics at all.

19

No, although at some point, if you’re looking at top colleges, you’re probably going to want to take physics.

20

Thanks everyone.
And skieurope, I will be taking AP Physics 1 in Junior year and AP Physics 2 and Bio in Senior year.