<p>Hi, I'm a rising junior planning/hoping to major in something science/engineering related such as biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. </p>
<p>I was planning to take 5 AP classes this upcoming year: AP Biology, AP US History, AP Calculus BC, AP English, and AP French, in addition to Physics honors. However, my guidance counselor recently informed that this particular arrangement of courses was impossible due to conflicts (same classes taught at the same time), and so some sacrifices must be made. In order to take both AP Biology and Physics Honors (doubling science), I must drop AP US History and AP french (take the honors level instead for both). Thus, my total amount of AP's drop from 5 to 3. The other option would be to save Physics Honors or AP Biology for my senior year, and then I would be able to take on AP US History and AP French back onto my schedule. My parents have told me that doubling AP Biology and Physics honors and dropping AP US History and AP french is my best bet, as I am intending to major in something science related and thus history and french would not factor in much to my college admission, that is the presence of physics and the indication of taking AP physics as a senior (though they will not see the AP physics grade by then) outweigh the presence of "unmeaningful" AP's such as history and french. On the other hand, the simple fact that my number of AP's will drop from 5 to 3 will also stand out, as the majority of the top-tier students in my grade are all taking 4 or 5 their junior year compared to my 3. Another factor to take into account is that I am in the running for valedictorian, and that by dropping two AP's, my GPA will falter as compared to my peers. </p>
<p>If some of you could offer your insight on the situation, as well as explain to me whether or not AP French and AP US History are really necessary/prove instrumental given my planned path, I would really appreciate it. Also, if you advise me in not doubling, could you also offer your advice as to which class would be more important to have taken junior year: AP biology or physics? Thanks!!</p>