Trying to decide what classes to take as a junior (online class too?)..

<p>Here's what I want to take:</p>

<p>-AP English
-AP US History
-AP Physics (AB or B. Not sure what it's called for the first year of AP Physics)
-AP Calculus
-AP Chemistry (Took AP Bio as a sophomore, but AP Chem is more important for engineering.)
-AP Computer Science
-Spanish 5-6</p>

<p>Now, that's 7 classes. I'm pretty sure my school will only allow me to take 6 of them. That means one of them I'll have to take online.</p>

<p>My questions are: Which one to take online? Is a course online more difficult than a course at school? Where should I take it? (I'm thinking <a href="http://www.uccp.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.uccp.org&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>Overkill. </p>

<p>It's called B btw. </p>

<p>One AP class will not make the difference in college admissions in the future, since you seem to be maxing out courses at your high school. </p>

<p>I would take English or USH online. Yes, online courses are typically more difficult b/c nothing really beats RL instruction. </p>

<p>But I think you should reconsider your course selection especially since you have so many technical subjects.</p>

<p>Besides, it's not even apparent if that schedule would work.</p>

<p>Why wouldn't it work?</p>

<p>I don't believe that this is overkill. In fact, it's typical for anyone looking at top tier schools.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input though.</p>

<p>I was thinking either AP Physics or AP USH online (history is taught straight from the book anyways).</p>

<p>I would like more opinions though.</p>

<p>Physics is hard. Online is hard. </p>

<p>You don't need to take every single AP to be admitted to top schools. It is a holistic approach. Frankly, someone who studies APs all days is pretty boring.</p>

<p>It might not work because sometimes classes clash with each other for class periods. That's all.</p>

<p>"(Took AP Bio as a sophomore, but AP Chem is more important for engineering.)" </p>

<p>Are you thinking of MIT? Read some of Marilee Jones's blog entries. They're scattered in the parents forum - (returning "sanity" to the admissions process).</p>

<p>It's pretty hard. I'm surviving with 7 IB classes and one night class, so its humanly possible. Just know that it'll take up a lot of time. I would say computer science would be the best to go online, or USH. The others are better learned directly at school, IMO. </p>

<p>But I'm not familiar with how your teachers and classes are like at your school, so I guess my perception is more or less invalid.</p>

<p>Of course all this work is possible - the question is whether or not it's worth it. I think you'd waste a lot of time Flippy. Of course if you're interested in all of these subjects, then go ahead. I just think you should be aware of how adcoms at whatever schools you're interested in perceive APs - especially at an engineering school such as MIT given Jones's recent calling for a more balanced admissions approach ("What do you do for the sheer pleasure of it?" as an essay question).</p>

<p>In other words, don't take more than you need to especially since you have more than enough.</p>

<p>As a person that's already in this situation, I completely agree with spirited away. A lot of my time is dedicated to typing essays, labs, etc. Although just by listing them it may not seem tough, there are lots of difficult times...er..nights that you have to endure through. </p>

<p>I'm not trying to discourage you from attempting such a hard schedule, because I would be acting as a hypocrite. However, take into consideration what spirited away has said. You don't need 7 AP classes. It's a hard schedule, but it's not what's going to get you in. I would say 5 would be the magic number-some would still disagree. </p>

<p>Just keep in mind that all that time you put into for those 7 AP classes aren't coming back-whatever your college decisions may be.</p>

<p>ouch that really is overkill. </p>

<p>what did you take last year? and how hard/challenging did you find it? normally you'd change only two or three to AP level when going from a soph to a junior.</p>

<p>It really depends on the difficulty of the courses at your school. In essence, getting a 5 does not require hardcore preparation. However, some classes prep you real well, and thus are very hard.</p>

<p>I remember my chem and calc being REALLY easy, but we still got 5's. How will we fare in college though? I don't know.</p>

<p>I know some kids who have notoriously hard Calc teachers though. They received low grades, but still got 5's on the exam. </p>

<p>If your school has easy classes, then feel free to take more. Otherwise, you might be asking for death.</p>

<p>Currently, I'm taking 6 AP classes and 1 language. I don't feel any burden at all since most of my classes are fairly easy.</p>

<p>This year (sophomore) I handled 2 honors and 2 APs and I've adjusted alright. I'm willing to handle 6 APs...</p>

<p>My school is about middle in difficulty. Most teachers would be shocked to find a student who takes 6 APs.</p>

<p>It might not be worth it, but I'd risk wasting time over regrets about what I could have done. I'm already deeply regretting taking AP Biology over AP Chemistry.</p>

<p>Find some balance with APs and ECs. Find the best combo to maximize your chances. Like I said, it's unnecessary to take so many APs.</p>

<p>i have always been one to support kids to do as much as they can... but that seems a little overkill... not necessarily 6 APs in one year... but overloading with the online classes... take some other people's advice... do some ECs... i had plenty of friends who got Georgetown, BC (just to name a few) who just did normal amounts of APs (3-4) a year and were admitted EA...</p>

<p>take it easy... enjoy hs, but work smart.</p>

<p>Take computer science online. If you can read Java, them all you need is practice and you'll be fine with that. I can almost guarentee that if you're serious about taking coputer science, then you'll at least pass the AP exam.</p>

<p>Physics and Chem in the same year will be difficult. There is about 1/4 of the curriculum that overlaps, but otherwise you are dealing with far different subjects. Each one gets complicated. Talk to some people taking them now to know what you are going to be in for. Comp Sci can be done independently, why even take it online.</p>

<p>Try to take only one science, for five core AP classes. Anything beyond unless self-interest comes into play is too much (and that includes online classes.)
BTW, AP Calculus AB is not a very difficult self-study if one has the time.</p>