Will my chances into getting in Uchicago be hurt if I take APComputerScience Principles over AP Euro

Hi I’m a freshman and am deciding between AP computer science principles and AP euro for next year. I have a brief outline of AP Euro from taking Western Civilization. I was sort of interested, but don’t know if I can handle it with everything else. Computer Science Principles on the other hand, seems easy and is interesting to me but I don’t know if it will be too easy for Uchicago to accept me.

AP classes will not make or break your college application. While some are certainly more impressive (i.e. Calc BC), for the most part, you should go with what you’re passionate about. That passion will be what drives your application forward and desire to learn forward, not a choice between two AP classes.

If you take AP Principles does this mean you will not take a history class? What other classes will you be taking?

@Vermigli Thanks anything else that could help me decide?
@ChezCurie I am also taking AP MICRO and MACRO next year.

Please tell us what your schedule will be.

…your entire schedule. I’m wondering if you’ll be able to fit in a foreign language and/or any electives if you’re planning to take Micro and Macro, too…

@ChezCurie @Vermigli SOPHOMORE YEAR
Honors Chem
Honors English 10
Honors Geometry
Spanish 3
PE/Health
MICRO MACRO
Computer science principles/Ap euro
Also, I am unable to take Calculus BC but can take AB should I take AP Euro to make up for it?

Correct me if I’m wrong, fellow CCers, but I think @michaelc2002 needs to choose between AP Euro and some other history class; and then choose between Micro/Macro and AP Principles.

It looks like you have another post asking essentially the same question…http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/2049553-how-am-i-supposed-to-decide-between-ap-classes.html#latest

@ChezCurie ap Euro is the only history class I can take as a sophomore

Will you graduate with enough history credits if you don’t take AP Euro?

My son took both of the courses you mentioned - AP Euro as a sophomore and AP Computer Principles as a junior - because the course sounded interesting to him.
Did your other post show that you are taking PE this year as a freshman? If so, why a second year of PE?

You should take what interests you the most, but be mindful that you complete all of the academic requirements for core subjects. I think it is more important that you show that you have taken a rigorous courseload (for you), not how many AP classes you’ve taken. For example, with regards to foreign language, this was the toughest area for my son, so he did the four years, but did not take the AP level. His strengths and interests were in math/science so he doubled up on math and took on-line courses when the school did not offer courses at his level.

@caymusjordan yes micro macro is considered as a social studies course so I will have enough. The problem I’m having is choosing 4 out of 6 aps for electives my next 3 years. I have done western Civ and am doing amazing. I’m worried though that Euro will be too hard. I also want to take Ap chem, stat, psych, comp science principles, and comp science a. If I took ap Euro I have to choose 3 out of 5. I also don’t know if I should take principles or just go to A. I have to take PE all 4 years of HS

AP Euro is better than Micro/Macro but you might be able to fit both in, esp. if you are up to AP Euro as a sophomore. It’s typically considered a junior/senior class.

Could be misremembering but AP Econ. won’t substitute for the principles courses or the placement test at UChicago. My general advice is to save the specialty courses for college. Focus on the fundamentals in HS.

@JBStillFlying what do you mean by specialty courses and fundamentals.

@michaelc2002 Econ, Psych, CS, Environmental Science, etc. are courses that are best taken in college. They are not going to have the quality instructors at the HS level that the core subjects - Calc, Bio/Chem/Physics, History and Lit - are. Those latter instructors likely majored in those fields, for instance. Econ - most likely not. YMMV, of course.

If a student is looking around for something to take, having exhausted the core, then it’s fine - although so is delving into the world of the arts - or how about a philosophy course?

My D17 who is now at UChicago took the same load as OP but was in regular ole’ World History not AP Euro in 10th. AP Euro is time-consuming so it’s a little confusing why OP can’t take AP World history or APUSH as a 10th grader. But if AP Euro is the track for 10th at his/her school, that’s what OP should take - schools have their college prep tracks set the way they do for a reason.

@JBStillFlying Econ is required at my school
I also have NO idea of what my career will be so should I just take AP CSP soph year or junior year. My western Civ teacher also really wants me to do AP Euro, while my counselor wants me to do csp.

@michaelc2002 when do most kids at your school actually take the Econ?

@JBStillFlying sophomore year and euro and csp

@michael2002 - best advice is follow your guidance counselor. But AP Euro is simply a more rigorous AP course than Econ. If you are required to take Econ then follow your school’s guidelines, take it sophomore year with CSP. But skipping Euro altogether is a missed opportunity so hopefully you can take it as a junior or senior.

@JBStillFlying What are the best AP classes for UChicago and I can take CSP junior year