Currently my classes I intend to take are AP English, AP Calculus BC, AP Chem, regular US history, regular physics, regular economics and finance, and elective. Should I change any of the regulars to AP based on the curriculum I already have set? I’ve heard from many that APUSH is good but others disagree so I am not sure what to do about that. The same goes for AP physics. As for econ I don’t see many taking that so I don’t have any opinions yet on that. Any ideas?
I think that you should only take AP classes in areas where you are very strong, and that you like. Do you like all of English, Math, Chemistry, and History? Are you very strong (straight A’s) in all of them?
I am not sure how APUSH compares with AP European History, but I am suspecting that there might be some similarities. When my daughter took AP European history it was by far the hardest earned A- that I have ever seen in my life. She (and in some cases we) spent many hours reading through long narratives of various events in the past. I would expect APUSH to be similar. There are a LOT of details that one could in principle try to remember, but that I wouldn’t want to try to remember.
Personally I would take regular chemistry and AP Physics. However, math was always my best subject, and to me the main advantage of physics over chemistry is that physics contains more math and is more logical.
I took Func and Analytical geometry and AP world this year with other Pre AP classes and I’ve been getting A’s for the year but it definitely wasn’t easy. History isn’t an interest to me but I heard it’s helpful for college. I’m a science/math person which is why I’m aiming for AP calc and chem though I’ve heard those are hard as well. Ive never had any physics class so I don’t know how hard that is, or is it similar to chemistry but with more math? Do you know anything about AP econ and finance?
AP Economics is honestly one of the easiest APs there are. Just pay attention in class and you’re bound to get a 5 on both exams, especially if you like math. It’ll cover everything that your regular econ & finance class will, just at a faster pace.
Also, can you explain what your math sequence is? Is Func and Analytical Geometry your first or second Geometry class? Which Algebra classes have you taken?
I’ve completed geometry in middle school, algebra II + trig last year, and this year took functions analyt. The next class would be AP calc (AB is easier and BC is harder/faster pace), then AP statistics senior year.
Yes I know how AP Calc works, I took AB sophomore year. If you can fit it into your schedule, I would highly recommend doubling up on BC and Stat junior year like I did. Stat is such a Rank/GPA booster, and its content is even easier than AP Econ.
Use your senior year to take AP Physics.
Your currently planned schedule is good, provided you’ve already reached level 3 or 4 (preferably) in a foreign language. You may want to switch regular econ for AP Econ, as AP Econ is not as hard as the others.
What would you take senior year?
I was thinking my plan for senior year would be as following:
Reg eng/AP Lang (not sure yet)
AP US gov
AP Stats
AP Capstone
AP Physics (I don’t know whether to do 1, 2, or C)
2 electives.
I am still debating what AP’s to take and what I should keep from this list or switch out. Capstone is basically a research class and I’ve heard it’s good prep for college research but since it’s a new thing I don’t know how helpful it might actually be.
And yes I have taken my fourth year of foreign language this year and am finished.
OK, that’s a good plan.
Take AP lang, a very useful class.
Since you take calc BC as a junior you should be able to handle Physics C.
AP stats is a letdown after BC but if you take Physics C it won’t matter (C = arduous quantitative, stats = fun quantitative) And since your schedule is super rigorous already catching a break in math may be helpful :).
For your two electives, pick what you find FUN with no worry about right or college admissions. Clearly you can handle strong academics and a student who’s bold enough to have personal interests reflected in ‘non AP junkie’ classes would be a plus. So, choir, shop, current events, creative writing, culinary arts, etc.
Do you know if there’s a big difference in how useful AP lang and AP lit are? I’ve heard many skip AP lit and just take regular so I’m not sure if that means it isn’t a helpful class for college.
AP Lang trains you to read and analyze all sorts of texts, mostly non fiction.
AP lit, as the name indicates, focuses on great literature.