Hey Guys!
Just want to start off by saying that I’m not trying to brag about my schedule (trust me I’m not all that smart because I got a 1480 on my SAT so that destroyed my confidence but it’s fine). I just want your thoughts, help, advice, or criticism about my senior schedule and whether you think it’s “competitive” or “rigorous” enough. Also I want to be a Engineer so keep that in mind when judging my schedule.
AP Literature & Composition
AP Microeconomics (1st semester) / AP US Government & Politics (2nd semester)
AP Computer Science A
AP Chemistry
Pre-Calculus Honors
Physics I Honors
JROTC IV
Additional Information:
GPA (Weighted): 4.8
GPA (Unweighted): 3.8
Class Ranking: 15 out of 550 (Top 3%)
SAT: 1480 (Critical Reading: 440/ Math: 580/ Writing: 460)
SAT II: Have yet to take it
ACT: Have yet to take it
AP Language & Composition
AP US History
AP Human Geography
Algebra II Honors
Chemistry I Honors
Internship
JROTC III
Another thing to keep in mind is that I took my first 3 APs my 11th grade year. Furthermore, I received a grade of an “A” in all my classes in both semesters EXCEPT for AP Language & Composition with a B+. I’m not surprised because I hate reading and I’m a mediocre writer so yeah… This makes me wonder if I should take AP Literature because all my friends are doing it and most competitive kids out there (like yourselves) are taking it even if they don’t like it. Should I avoid it if I don’t like it or should I take it because it looks good?
I’d avoid it. Going from 3 AP’s to 5 AP’s is probably not the best idea, especially when you have the hidden class in the Fall - college applications and essays; rising seniors always underestimate the amount of work that is involved here. Also, since you hate reading, AP Lit is not the wisest choice.
If you aren’t doing too much work over the summer, do you think its possible for you to take PreCalc (Honors) over the summer so that you can take AP calc in the school year?
@ivyhopes12@TheSlacker16 “most colleges recommend it.” Sure it’s recommended but is it required? Would universities deem me for taking Pre-Calculus senior year if I want to do engineering? Not to mention that I’ve talked to the Calculus teacher at my school and told me taking it online is a horrible idea because she actually had students who’ve done that and struggle in her class. Also there was a registration deadline to take Pre-Calculus over the summer at a community college but I didn’t realized what I wanted to study after the deadline… so yeah. The Calculus teacher said it’s better to have a strong foundation in Pre-Calculus taught in school rather than just rushing it in the summer AND I also heard that most students who’ve taken Calculus in high school retake Calculus in university so what’s the point?
Most competitive engineering schools recommend (some even require) calculus in high school. The most important thing for an engineering major is a strong foundation in math and physics. Could you take AP Physics instead of AP Lit? As for retaking calculus in college: Yes, a lot of students do that. However, if you go to a top engineering school you will be in math classes with students who have taken AP Calc AB, BC, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, etc… It is a HUGE change in pace and difficulty from pre-calc to Calc, and I worry you may not be as well prepared for upper level math classes.
@CCuser528 I’m not able to take AP Physics if I haven’t even done Physics I Honors and I won’t have Calculus co-currently to do it. Would most universities deem me for not being able to take Calculus in high school considering the fact that most students do retake it in college? It’s not my fault that I took Algebra I freshman year but yet I’m guilty for not doubling up on math throughout my high school years even though I just found out I wanted to be an engineer recently.
it’s a good schedule, and i’d recommend that you stick with english lit (so that you can waive boring college english courses and go straight to math and science courses), BUT only if you’re willing to do the reading.
might want to consider switching out of ap micro/gov since i’ve heard that they’re pretty challenging courses, and physics and pre cal will already be time consuming enough. and i don’t it’s not going to be that big a deal that you didn’t take calc in high school.
comp sci is practical but shouldn’t take up too much of your time at all.
The reason why I’m suggesting you take Precalc over the summer is because most engineering schools/colleges schedules start at Calc 2 or 3. That being said you can start at Calc 1 but it delays the schedule so you could end up a semester or even a year behind (as Calc 1 and Physics 1 are taken concurrently).
Isn’t there another way to take the class? I’m not saying it’ll be a piece of cake but if you manage your time you should do well.
At the end of the day if you can’t/don’t want to take the class over the summer, its your choice.