Hi,
I’m thinking of doubling up on AP Chem and AP Bio next year rather than taking AP Chem and AP Seminar. I’m also pretty sure I’ll get As in both classes.
I want to know if this looks good to highly selective colleges? Now I know no one can read an admission officer’s mind but I’d like to know if generally this would make a rigorous schedule with AP Lang, AP US, Pre-Calc AB and Speech and Debate.
I can handle both so my question is which one “wows” more. I would prefer a straight-forward response, and I don’t want someone questioning my work ethic or intellectual abilities.
Thanks!! 
*I don’t know where to put this so Mods feel free to move this *
Would you be a junior or a senior?
If I follow correctly, your schedule would include:
AP Chem
AP Bio OR AP Seminar
AP Lang
AP US
PreCalc
Speech/Debate
That’s a very ambitious schedule.
Have you reached Level4 or AP in a foreign language already? (Top colleges like to see 4 years each of English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language, which translates as Level4 or AP for Foreign language regardless of how many years it took you to get there).
Both would look the same.
If you intend to go into STEM, pick Bio; if you are angling for Law school, or plan on a Social Science or Humanities major, choose Seminar.
If you really don’t know, flip a coin. If you’re happy with the side of the coin, then you know. And if you’re unhappy and want to toss again for “best out of 3”, then you know which one you prefer, too.
@MYOS1634
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.
I would be a junior and I took AP French this year as I am a native.
I am most likely going to major in the Social Sciences or Humanities but will probably apply as a Chemistry major.
My ECs include Model U.N, Mock Trial and Varsity Quiz (and obviously Debate). I am going to get my hours through NHS.
My idea was that I could be well-rounded if my schedule’s fairly science-oriented and my ECs revolve around the Humanities and that kind of field. I prefer the latter to STEM but I don’t want to limit myself when I perform above average in all subjects.
Thoughts?
Is French your native language (you were born there and spoke it in your childhood while being surrounded by French-speaking adults) or a heritage language (you were born in the US or have lived most of your life in a non-French speaking environment, while your parents spoke French to you at home)?
The situation wrt foreign languages would be different depending on your answer, if you’re aiming at a top school.
Why apply as a Chemistry major if you want to major in the social sciences or humanities?
I suggest check French as a minor/double major on the CommonApp when time comes.
Do you live near a 4-year university?
Colleges don’t necessarily want well-rounded students. They want a well-rounded class.
You need to have all 5 core classes (English, Math, Science, Social Science/History, Foreign Language) every year, then you should add classes that add to your profile (such as Speech/Debate for you).
What are you thinking of for Senior Year?
AP Biology is a lot of work. I’m not “doubting” your academic/intellectual capabilities. I’m just saying it’s a lot of work.
I think you’d rather focus on what is of the essence: Chemistry. Don’t fluff your schedule because it will look good, do AP Chemistry and AP Seminar to show you are truly dedicated and not “undecided” on what you want to do.
You say you want to be on a Chemistry track? Show it.
That’s about as direct as I can give you, without overloading your senses with this magical prowess (kidding!).
@MYOS1634
Native language as lived there for 14 years.
I would apply as a Chemistry major as I know it’s slightly easier for a girl to get accepted for STEM rather than the Humanities/Social Sciences.
I think I am going to take Bio, so this is going to be my schedule for senior year:
AP Lit
AP Govt
AP Psych
AP Calc AB/Stats
AP Physics 1
Speech and Debate
At my school AP Seminar is linked to AP Research, meaning I would be obligated to take Research senior year. I travel for Debate which is quite time-consuming, and so I don’t think I should take Seminar, Lang, and Debate as that would almost be taking the same class 3 times a day.
Ask what AP Seminar/AP Research would be at your school. I don’t think it’d be similar to Lang and Debate actually - it’s similar to IB’s TOK and Extended Paper, and if you have a topic you’re passionate about it’d give you more opportunity to work on that. You could also think of it as those classes reinforcing one another.
In the end, it doesn matter, both are strong choices.
AP Bio + AP Chem is very time-consuming (kind of like trying to do TS Spé Math, TS spé SVT, and TS spé PC all at the same time, except the AP classes are more advanced than the respective “spé”.)
What was your LV2 when you left? Did you study Latin?
Many of the top colleges like to see that you took a “real” foreign language, not just your native language. If you studied Spanish, German, or Latin, you could take it at level 2 and 3 at a community college. Depending on the level you’d reached (A1/A2/B1) you could find that rather easy and would thus have another “very competitive” criterion taken care of. This is not necessary at all if you are aiming for state schools or very large universities, even their Honors college.
@MYOS1634
I left at the end of 4ème, meaning I didn’t get to take the Brevet.
While I was there I took Italian for one year (foreign languages started in 4ème) and Latin for 2 years.
Even though it is definitely going to be time-consuming I am going to pick AP Bio as I feel that getting an A in both Bio and Chem would look best. I have thought over the whole Seminar class and I really don’t have a passion. Also, the class has never been taught, and I don’t want to risk losing valedictorian over a brand-new course.
Additionally I am aiming for the highly selective colleges (Stanford, Yale, Princeton, etc.) so I will add Italian and Latin somewhere in my application.
Thank you for all your help!!!
Take either hs Latin2 or italian2 as a hs class/or Italian 1 or Latin 2at a community college (college language moves much faster) since you qnt be able to enter classes from7th and 8th on the common app, rywn take the subject tests.
Colleges only care about valedictorian if you attend a lower performing school. The box is top10% or not.
Take either hs Latin2 or italian2 as a hs class/or Italian 1 or Latin 2at a community college (college language moves much faster) since you qnt be able to enter classes from7th and 8th on the common app, rywn take the subject tests.
Colleges only care about valedictorian if you attend a lower performing school. The box is top10% or not.
Take either hs Latin2 or italian2 as a hs class/or Italian 1 or Latin 2at a community college (college language moves much faster) since you qnt be able to enter classes from7th and 8th on the common app, rywn take the subject tests.
Colleges only care about valedictorian if you attend a lower performing school. The box is top10% or not.