Hi everyone! I am considering taking the following schedule senior year:
AP psychology / AP comparative government
H precalc
Choir
AP spanish lang
AP world
AP lit
I am taking 2 APs this year and have received As in them both. All of the rest of my current classes are honors. ECs aren’t really a problem for me because none of mine are that demanding. However, I am concerned about having time for college apps. So, what do you all think? Be honest please.
My DS16 did 5 APs: Chem, Physics, gov, lit and stats + the required arts class. It is doable but you have to commit to keeping up. He also played 2 varsity sports. You can do it!
My DD did 5 this year; if you’ve demonstrated A’s this year, I think you’ll be absolutely fine. It definitely looks good on your college app to take this load.
That’s really encouraging. I have gotten 2 Bs – 1 in H Algebra II and 1 in H chem. However, the rest have been As. Thanks for the replies!
With the exception of Lit, the rest of the classes are on the easier side of things so this schedule is fine. Assuming you’re an A student in general.
Thanks! I think I’m going to follow through with it, but I’m a little hesitant about AP world. I love history, but I’ve heard it’s an extremely difficult class. Do you have any advice about world?
AP WH was not an option for my kid since most everyone took regular WH as a 10th grader as only one AP was allowed in 10th. (He took AP Bio). So I don’t personally know. But from what I heard it’s probably a medium level class, along the same level as AP USH. AP Lit is without a doubt the one class that will take up the most time out of all your classes.
My daughter loves history, too. She took WHAP her sophomore year and it has been her best AP test score to date. You’ll love the content if you love history and that’s half the battle.
I would counsel against too many APs Senior year, and this is why.
In the fall, you are in college application season. You may be taking the SAT again. You may want to visit some more colleges. You have to write college- specific essays (hopefully you already wrote your common app essay over the summer.). You have to fill out your Common App and get recommendations.
Also you may be in marching band or Sports or be a leader of a club. College Apps is like another timesucking EC on top of that.
Then in the spring, you may have senioritis. You are been accepted to college and are looking toward the finish line. You have to study for the AP tests…it will be difficult to study for too many at once and get good scores.
Stanford U says:
“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”
Another quote:
“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’