Too many AP classes?

Question

im going to be a senior and so far I will be taking AP economics, AP gov't, AP lit, and AP physics. i was in honors english and social studies every year and honors biology in 10th grade. i aced regular chemistry (no honors or AP) in junior year and i wanto major chem in college. i heard AP physics is the hardest AP science in my school, but AP chem is not too far behind with all the work u have to do..

i was wondering should i take both AP physics and AP chem next year OR just AP physics OR regular physics and AP chem?

does this seem like too many AP classes next year? i play no sports and i am in 3 clubs. what should i do about physics and chemistry next year

Answer 1

No, it doesn't seem like too many AP classes.  If you try in every class and manage your time effectively, you'll be fine.  I speak from experience - this past year (junior year) I took Chemistry 1 AP, English 3 AP, US History AP, German 4 AP, and Precalculus / Trigonometry AP (however, US History was the only one I was eligible to test in).  I got A's in all of them (both semesters) - and my high school isn't easy.  This next school year, I'm taking Chemistry 2 AP, Physics 1 AP, English 4 AP Lit, German 5 AP, and AB Calculus AP.

In response to your question about physics and chemistry - start off in AP for both.  If you find out that one of them is too hard for you (once you've started the class), you can always drop down to a regular class.  (That's the policy at my high school - you can drop from AP to regular as long as it's within the first few weeks of school.)

Good luck!

Answer 2

You're either pushing yourself or your parents are pushing you.  I'm not saying you can't do it, but I'm saying you're wasting the last remnants of your childhood.  You will have little to no free time to just enjoy being a kid before you start college.  I always tell my 9th graders if they are taking four honors or AP classes, that may be too much.  You could always try and then if it seems like it's going to be too much, tell the counselor you'd like to switch to a "regular" class instead.

Answer 3

I think they are manageable. In my senior year I am going to go all AP. I think you should take as many AP courses as possible.

Answer 4

If you want to be a chem major in college, I would strongly suggest that you take AP Chem. You might as well take AP Physics, too, just to show the college admissions that you are strong in sciences. Looking at your previous rigorous classes, I think you would be able to handle 4 or 5 AP classes in your senior year. Good luck :)

Answer 5

Well it's not really necessary to take as many as you can, because some of them are not going to relate to your future.  Like me for instance, I would have 4 AP classes offered to me next year, but what would be the point of taking AP English, if I was going into Engineering in the future.  If you are interested in those things though, you could take it and be happy.

Answer 6

I don't think it's too many, I took 5 during my senior year and it was my easiest year. However, if you're planning on going to college in the US, you might as well take one of each general subject (science, math, social studies etc.,), unless you really like it, because I mean, you take it to get out of college classes right? If you're going to the UK, take as many as you can :P Even if they tell you AP Physics is hard, if you like it'll be easy. So take what you like :]

Answer 7

Take as many AP's as possible. Strength of schedule is very important. Just work really hard and when you get into college you will be able to relax a little.

Answer 8

Well to make you feel better, I'm taking 6 AP classes next year. And there are only 6 hour days at my school. So all my classes will be AP. Well only for one semester, then it will go down to 4. I'm taking Adv. Comp (semester class), Cncpts of Psyc (sem), Adv Physics, Business Tech, Human A&P, and Precalc. The business tech and psyc class wont be too bad but I'll have a hefty workload regardless.

I talked to my counselor and he said it wont be as bad as it looks and that will really be worth it. Most kids take easy classes like gym, computer, art, and home ec their senior year, go to college, and are completely overwhelmed. This will prepare you and the majority of your credits wont transfer so you'll end up taking the class again in college. This may seem like it sucks, but you may not get that great of a grade now, so you can a realy good one in college because it will be easier for you. Plus you may not even have to show up to that class a lot if you know the stuff pretty well. You'll sail through your first year of college with good grades that came easy while your friends are stressing out and trying to keep C's. Plus learning the basics twice will set a good foundation for the rest of college so you'll get the most out of your education. Work hard and good luck.