Would colleges look down on this?

Applying to College
1

<p>I started my senior year this week at a new school after moving over the summer. Because I was a new student, I had to make my schedule the week before school started, and I was given very limited course offerings since the majority of classes had already filled up. I think I might have made a scheduling mistake (fueled by those limited course options), and I'm wondering what colleges are going to think. </p>

<p>In the 10th grade, at my old school, I took Honors Chemistry, which was the most advanced option offered. AP Chemistry was a 2nd year Chemistry course reserved for Juniors and Seniors who had already taken Honors Chemistry. </p>

<p>When I moved to my new school, I really wanted to take an AP Physics C, but the only AP science that was not full yet was AP Chemistry. I enjoyed and excelled in Chemistry the first time around, so I decided to go ahead and sign up for it. However, the first day of class, I realized that the majority of the kids in the class were sophomores, who had never taken Chemistry before. It turns out that the students had the option of taking Regulars (very easy) Chemistry, or AP Chemistry. So now I'm in a first year Chemistry class with mostly kids 2 years younger than me, and a few Juniors who took Regular Chemistry in the 10th grade (although I'm not really sure how many of these people exist - I suspect it's very few). </p>

<p>Do you think colleges will see this as taking the "easy way out" of a 4th year science? It's without a doubt going to be a challenging course, but I still kind of feel like I'm going to be "cheating" and taking the same course twice for credit since I do already have a year of Chemistry experience. Having said that, who has ever heard of taking AP Chemistry as a 1st year Chemistry class? And it's not my fault that it was the only science option that I was given - if I drop out of the class I won't have a 4th year science at all which probably won't look great. Not to mention that it's one of my favorite classes so far, and I've already made lots of friends in it (which is a definite victory since I'm new student, and a shy one at that). </p>

<p>So should I keep the class? My gut is "yes, it won't matter", but I still have this nagging feeling that it's going to look bad..</p>

2

<p>They’re probably not going to know anything other than that it’s an AP. it won’t break or make you, so if you enjoy it keep with it. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>You should keep it. I had to take Honors Chem my sophomore year and I’m taking AP Chem this year. My school is like your old one, and I think most honors chemistry courses provide a background for AP Chemistry more than they cover the AP course material. It’s not an easy way out if there wasn’t another option for an AP science class, and I hear AP Chemistry is relatively difficult, anyway. So even if there’s a bunch of sophomores, an AP like that doesn’t look bad. Plus, you like the class.</p>

4

<p>Alright, that confirms what I wanted to hear. Thanks guys!</p>

5

<p>Given the circumstances, taking AP Chem is the best thing to do. Good luck.</p>

6

<p>If it really bothers you, put the courses that you’re taking on there, and then in the section where they say put anything else you want to say in this section (or “Is there anything else you want to say”), explain your situation honestly about how you moved schools and the course selection criteria is different. They’ll understand.</p>

7

<p>You’re fine, don’t mention it at all - even if the class looks similar to your previous class it probably isn’t anyway since (I assume) your previous class wouldn’t have prepared you for AP Chem. So, you’re fine :)</p>