What courses should I take next year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I am aware that this question is rather ambiguous and difficult to answer, but I really need to hear the perspectives of students, former students, or even counselors; my teachers individually tell me to take the subsequent AP courses because I succeeded in their classes but yet my counselors advocate against anyone taking more than two AP classes. Although you may not know my capabilities, your earnest feedback is vital. Here is some background information about me: </p>

<p>Grade: Sophomore (selecting courses for junior/hell year)</p>

<p>Current schedule:
Chemistry Honors
Accelerated English 3-4 (my school doesn't offer honors to sophomores)
Spanish 5-6 Honors
Pre-Calculus
AP European History
Speech and Debate</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 U/W 4.33 (according to the College Board) </p>

<p>Desired Major: Economics; other options include Political Science, Computer Science, or Applied Mathematics</p>

<p>Other extra-curricular activities next year:
Speech and Debate, Track and Field, two clubs, leadership youth board</p>

<p>Academic Strengths: Problem-solving math (I do well with problems that don't require rote memorization of formulas such as the AMC or even the SAT math tests), Writing, I know a lot about current affairs and the government? </p>

<p>Now, onto my choices for next year: </p>

<p>History: AP US History (decided)
Math: AP Calculus AB (pretty much decided, I don't feel confident jumping to BC)
English: Either AP English Language or English 5-6 Honors
Spanish: Either AP Spanish Language or Spanish 7-8 (I have been with the AP Spanish teacher for two years and am of Hispanic descent)
Science: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, Physics Honors, Physiology, Zoology </p>

<p>I honestly have no idea what to do with English/Spanish/science. I have heard from students that junior year is impossible but yet have also heard that it's a piece of cake. I don't want to kill myself next year but I want to challenge myself academically because I tend to learn a lot more and put more effort into difficult classes. Your assistance is much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Oh, and as far as what college I want to go to, I honestly have no clue. Whatever college I can get into I suppose…</p>

3

<p>take honors instead of ap</p>

4

<p>If you work better is harder classes, then take AP classes. Especially AP Spanish, as this could come off as a desire to learn of your own heritage and culture.</p>

5

<p>I appreciate the feedback. Can some other people provide their perspectives?</p>

6

<p>If say to pick whichever science class you’re most interested in. Is take AP English, but I’m sure honors would be challenging too. i also think you should take AP Spanish</p>

7

<p>If your a good Spanish speaker, AP Spanish Language should be super easy.</p>

8

<p>If you speak Spanish well then I would go with AP Spanish Language.</p>

9

<p>Can someone provide a “sample schedule” for me with all the courses you would suggest that I take? Time is running out!</p>

10

<p>Last day for someone to contribute. Do the right thing!</p>

11

<p>you should just dropout because its more funner then scool</p>

12

<p>My faith in this threat is slowly waning…</p>

13

<p>Sample Sched. </p>

<p>APUSH
AP Calc AB
AP Spanish
AP Language
AP Bio or AP Chem OR if you want something easy AP Environmental </p>

<p>Just a few things to consider…at my school AP Language is designed in such a way that your grade gets better over the course of the year. So for seniors this really sucks because their first and second quarter grades (which colleges see) are significantly lower than what they would normally expect. Same thing for AP Bio at my school. </p>

<p>You might want to have a little bit of a break for your senior year, and I think that if you could take honors physics at that point your schedule would still maintain the same rigor but you would have a little bit of a more relaxing senior year, if that is something that is important to you. </p>

<p>This might all be just specific to my school, but hopefully it helped a little bit!</p>

14

<p>Okay, coming from a junior… Definitely take APUSH since you’ve taken Euro. If you’re strong in math, take Calc BC, it will set you apart. AP English Lang is not very hard, I’d take it. If you enjoy Spanish, take AP Spanish Lang (I would). Most people don’t take AP language tests til senior year so that also will set you apart. Maybe take a regular science. Not sure what you took as a freshman but if you liked it take it in AP, same thing if you liked chem this year.</p>

15

<p>My faith in this thread is slowly increasing…</p>

<p>I attend a public school that isn’t particularly rigorous in terms of curricula but has a select group of very competitive students. The hardest classes are generally considered to be AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, and AP Spanish Language. Some sophomores that are enrolled in AP Chemistry are saying that it is thoroughly difficult but that might be due to their inexperience. It is hard to say whether I prefer chemistry or physics given that I haven’t had a genuinely comprehensive science class thus far. Last year I was in regular biology which was a horrible experience as I was in a class with students who did not care about school and a teacher that really ended up teaching me a modicum of information about biology. This year, I’m in the same predicament in Chemistry Honors as my teacher could really care less (I have homework once every 2-3 weeks). These experiences motivate me to take an AP science but at the same time I feel as if I am behind…I am also in regular pre-calculus, not pre-calculus honors due to a scheduling malfunction. I would have to persuade a few administrators to get into Calculus BC. Keep the help coming!</p>

16

<p>Can you get into an AP macro or micro Econ class?</p>

17

<p>My school only offers AP Macro for seniors. :(</p>

<p>I could technically take it online though. I’m not sure how useful that would be.</p>