Senior Course Dilemma

gfriedman

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Mar 5, 2015
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I have 8 periods, and too many classes I'd like to take to choose from... any suggestions?

I'm definitely taking:
Gym (Req'd)
AP English Lit.
AP Calculus (haven't decided btw AB and BC)
AP Physics C
Honors level computer class (already taken AP, this is a follow-up course)

Up in the air:
AP Statistics
AP World History
AP Government
AP Latin
taking an unassigned to work as a lab assistant to my current AP Chemistry teacher
 
How about a modern foreign language?
Unfortunately, I decided to take Latin in 6th grade. To switch now, I'd have to go into a first level course, consisting entirely of freshmen. While I could do that, unless I thought it would be absolutely necessary, I'd like not to. Especially considering I already have too many options.
 
How about a modern foreign language?
Unfortunately, I decided to take Latin in 6th grade. To switch now, I'd have to go into a first level course, consisting entirely of freshmen. While I could do that, unless I thought it would be absolutely necessary, I'd like not to. Especially considering I already have too many options.
Then I'd take the Latin since the Academies want a foreign language. A BGO should probably confirm that.
 
OP, have you had at least 2 yrs of Latin in high school, that shows on high school transcript? Since you said you started in 6th grade, I wasn't sure. If not, I would take AP Latin. My DD was going to take AP Latin, but AP Latin and AP Physics C were same period, only one class of each offered, so she opted for AP Physics and then was a Lab aid in Honors Chem. There is a spot on the application for teachers aid, and it shows leadership, so this is a great option. Its a plus if it shows on your transcript. DD actually had to apply for Lab aid slot, got evaluated, and grade shows on her transcript. I would also take AP Government. It looks like you have 3 slots left, so I would recommend, AP Latin, AP Gov and Chem Lab Aid
 
I also think AP Government is a good choice. A 5 on AP Government will validate Plebe government and open up a slot plebe year for you to 'get ahead' on other required classes. Even if you don't validate, the content in Plebe yr class will be more review for you.

Note that if you are an Engineering major at USNA, you don't have a foreign language requirement but I know of several who used validations to help them get a language minor in addition to Engineering major. Just another consideration......and of course you first have to get an appointment! Good luck.
 
OP, have you had at least 2 yrs of Latin in high school, that shows on high school transcript? Since you said you started in 6th grade, I wasn't sure. If not, I would take AP Latin. My DD was going to take AP Latin, but AP Latin and AP Physics C were same period, only one class of each offered, so she opted for AP Physics and then was a Lab aid in Honors Chem. There is a spot on the application for teachers aid, and it shows leadership, so this is a great option. Its a plus if it shows on your transcript. DD actually had to apply for Lab aid slot, got evaluated, and grade shows on her transcript. I would also take AP Government. It looks like you have 3 slots left, so I would recommend, AP Latin, AP Gov and Chem Lab Aid
I've taken three years of Latin in high school, plus an additional three years in middle school.
 
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If you took AP Government, it is a one semester course. Would you be able (and willing) to take AP Economics (which is also a one semester course). These are seniors courses at our high schools. AP World is often taken during the Sophomore year. Did you take another type of history during your Soph. year?
 
If you took AP Government, it is a one semester course. Would you be able (and willing) to take AP Economics (which is also a one semester course). These are seniors courses at our high schools. AP World is often taken during the Sophomore year. Did you take another type of history during your Soph. year?
I've taken world freshman year, Honors US I sophomore year, and AP US this year. My school does not offer AP economics. AP Euro and AP World are offered only to seniors. I was look into taking an independent study second semester, or a physics design class, if I decide to take AP Gov
 
I wouldn't take AP Calculus BC without taking AB first... It can be done but I would recommend taking AB. Think of it as AB is Calc 1 and BC is Calc 2. There is stuff in BC that is much harder and more difficult if you don't have the knowledge of AB, for example; integrals and derivatives.
 
I wouldn't take AP Calculus BC without taking AB first... It can be done but I would recommend taking AB. Think of it as AB is Calc 1 and BC is Calc 2. There is stuff in BC that is much harder and more difficult if you don't have the knowledge of AB, for example; integrals and derivatives.

AP Calculus BC (Calc 1+2) has only ~6 weeks of extra material when compared to AP Calculus AB (Calc 1). (as per my Calculus teacher's curriculum; she has a 75% 5 rate) In fact, the BC test has an AB subscore, so you can get Calc 1 credit from the BC test.
 
I wouldn't take AP Calculus BC without taking AB first... It can be done but I would recommend taking AB. Think of it as AB is Calc 1 and BC is Calc 2. There is stuff in BC that is much harder and more difficult if you don't have the knowledge of AB, for example; integrals and derivatives.

AP Calculus BC (Calc 1+2) has only ~6 weeks of extra material when compared to AP Calculus AB (Calc 1). (as per my Calculus teacher's curriculum; she has a 75% 5 rate) In fact, the BC test has an AB subscore, so you can get Calc 1 credit from the BC test.

That is true about the AB subscore; however, most teachers don't take the extra 6 weeks to prepare you for what you missed in AB (at least mine didn't). The extra 6 weeks would be on your own. If you feel that you can do it then by all means someone could go straight to BC. I was just stating that in a high school class setting the student would be on his own catching up unless they took the time before class started to learn a few things. This is just my advice. Don't feel pressured to take it. You can throw it away or just look at it. It's just from what I've seen, that those who take AB before BC end up with a higher score and a higher sub score.
 
That is true about the AB subscore; however, most teachers don't take the extra 6 weeks to prepare you for what you missed in AB (at least mine didn't). The extra 6 weeks would be on your own. If you feel that you can do it then by all means someone could go straight to BC. I was just stating that in a high school class setting the student would be on his own catching up unless they took the time before class started to learn a few things. This is just my advice. Don't feel pressured to take it. You can throw it away or just look at it. It's just from what I've seen, that those who take AB before BC end up with a higher score and a higher sub score.

I see where you're coming from! I guess it all just depends on how the curriculum is set up!
My teacher basically does CALC AB from August to December, then 6 weeks of BC in January and February, then review from Spring Break on... It's VERY fast-paced, but 100% pass! It would be good for the OP to check out how the curriculum works at their school! I am taking AB and BC because I have time, similar to you dvnkmmy though.
 
My older DD took AP Calc BC without taking AB and had no problems. If you are strong in math, it should be fine. Younger DD (currently a senior) took AP calc AB first semester (her school double blocks AP Calc) and is taking AP calc BC this semester. Recommend you take the highest level you feel comfortable with.
 
Thanks for all the great input. The course I'm enrolled in this year is a predatory course for jumping straight to BC. The last quarter of the course starts calculus, and the BC program is only for kids in my class. So the teacher would have only kids who've never taken AB.
 
I have 8 periods, and too many classes I'd like to take to choose from... any suggestions?

I'm definitely taking:
Gym (Req'd)
AP English Lit.
AP Calculus (haven't decided btw AB and BC)
AP Physics C
Honors level computer class (already taken AP, this is a follow-up course)

Up in the air:
AP Statistics
AP World History
AP Government
AP Latin
taking an unassigned to work as a lab assistant to my current AP Chemistry teacher
If you don't mind me asking what is the difference between AP Physics C and AP Physics 1 which is offered at my school?
 
Busto: AP Physics C is calculus based physics, where as 1 & 2 are algebra based. C is generally considered to be a higher level class.
 
Lots of information here that is different because of schools and program. In my school we kept the same classes both semesters. Hence why I said to take AB one year and BC another. If I had the option I totally would have taken AB one semester and BC the next, that can easily be done. This is my second year applying and my scholarship for school wouldn't allow me to validate out of classes. I took calc 1 my first semester and calc 2 this semester and I am doing fine. Again, I really wish I had that option in high school!

And gfriedman, if the program is just for that class and everyone in the class would be in the same boat then I would say go for BC since it would have the AB subscore. If a little of calc is covered in the end of your year and you feel like your comfortable with it then BC would be the better option there!

In the end it all comes down to how comfortable you are with it! Good luck!
 
Suggest you take statistics. I believe it is a requirement for many of the STEM majors at USNA and having had it in h.s. will certainly help. World history is also good. WRT Latin, language is not required for USNA and you can't continue Latin at USNA so there's no real benefit.
 
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