AP Questions and Unusual Dilemma

Cpeake2013 · June 15, 2012, 7:07pm

So, as stated by the title, I am faced with an unusual dilemma, and I have a few questions that I hope some of you can provide your opinion in an answer. For the upcoming school year of 2012-2013 (my senior year), my school is offering AP classes for the first time. Now, this may seem very unusual to most of you, but my school is not offering any weight for any of the three AP classes for the class of 2013 (my class).

The three AP classes being offered are AP Calculus AB, AP English Lit, and AP Chemistry.

The school’s administration thought that the solution of not offering weight to each AP class for the class of 2013–but offering weight for each AP class for the class of 2014 and beyond–would eliminate any complaints that students and/or parents for the class of 2013 might have. Currently, there are 9 students who are tied for the spot of valedictorian in the class of 2013, making the spot for valedictorian competitive. The administration didn’t feel as if it was fair to offer weight for these AP classes and “force” these students to take all the classes in order to stay at the top of the class. (Everyone was happy with the freedom that they now had to choose the majority of their schedule, only being required to take dual-credit calculus and dual-credit physics to retain the spot of valedictorian, which I will get to next.)

In the past, dual-credit calculus and dual-credit physics have been the only classes containing weight. Well, for this year, we have the choice of taking the 3 unweighted AP classes (Calculus AB, English Lit, and Chemistry), weighted dual-credit calculus (equal to college algebra, not calculus), and weighted dual-credit physics as our “tough classes”.

I signed up for AP Lit, AP Calc AB, and AP Chem (to get those classes out of the way for college), dual-credit calculus (to keep my class rank), and dual-credit physics (to keep my class rank). However, I am one of the students holding the valedictorian position and am wondering whether or not it would hurt me to drop the weighted dual-credit calculus class. I feel that it’s unnecessary to have to take dual-credit calculus (definitely the easier of the two Calculus classes) and AP Calculus AB. The Class of 2013 has approximately 96 students in it and that could possibly cause my class rank to jump all the way out of the top 10% for actually taking the tougher class (silly, I know). I know that some schools provide no recognition for valedictorian status and others give semi-significant sums of money to student who is a valedictorian.

I also play golf (in the fall) and am considering playing basketball (5-6 months out of the middle of the year).

So, my questions for all of you out there are the following:

Calculus -

Should I take both Calculus classes to receive a college credit for Calculus, a general math credit (such as college algebra), and keep my valedictorian status?
Should I take dual-credit calculus alone to keep my class rank and receive a basic math credit?
Or should I take AP Calculus AB alone and receive a college calculus credit and forfeit my
valedictorian status?
(I know that if I were to take the AP test that I wouldn’t be guaranteed a passing score, but I would be required to pay for the test with my own money and I could pretty much guarantee that I would pass so I wouldn’t waste my money.)

Tough Classes and Sports -

Would I be able to handle all of the AP Classes and Physics (and/or dual-credit calculus, depending on what classes I decide to take) while playing golf and possibly basketball simultaneously?

English -

Each core subject is taught by the same teacher whether a student is taking a college prep class, dual-credit class, or AP class. And each teacher (math, english, and science, don’t ask about history because they’re all coaches and history classes are a joke at our school) is very good at what they do and are also very willing to help each student do the best that he/she can.
So my question is… Should I take AP English Lit (we received a list of 30-40 books to read this summer, and even though they’re not required to read, they’re recommended because of our sketchy preparation in English classes during grades 9,10, and 11) or English CP. The same teacher teaches both of the classes and either way it’s going to be challenging. She said that the difficulty will be the same for both English classes (CP and AP), but the AP class will be more work.

Random -

Would it be that detrimental to my college resume to not be able to include that I’m valedictorian, in the top 5%, or in the top 10%, even though I took the hardest schedule of anyone in my grade?

P.S. - I’m thinking that I will eventually apply for med school after receiving my undergraduate degree, and I’m pretty sure that I will have to have a college credit for English, Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry (so all of these AP/dual-credit classes will be used eventually).

Thanks ahead of time to anyone who responds to my questions! Feel free to ask me anything that might help you give me the best answer possible.

Tkaler1 · June 15, 2012, 7:45pm

I would drop Ap Calc AB and take the weighted class. AB is only one semester of credit, and a college may provide a placement test for you so that you can skip your whole if rat y ear anyway. I think that your rank is more important and something that will “pop-out” at adcoms than the class (for which they won’t even know your score). You can always explain it in the additional info section on an appliation

happymomof1 · June 16, 2012, 12:38am

What exactly do you mean when you write that the Dual Credit Calculus is really only College Algebra? Algebra (even when labeled “College”) is quite distinct from Calculus.

ucbalumnus · June 16, 2012, 12:41am

Yes, same question as what happymomof1 asked.

Seahorsesrock · June 16, 2012, 1:00am

I was going to try and answer this but the minutia of detail was ridiculous.

And it all is assuming everyone is going to get all As next year anyway.

as well being number one by margin of .02 aint that impressive in a class of 96.

This must be the most neurotic class with everyone jockeyng for being number one.

ucbalumnus · June 16, 2012, 1:19am

Given the focus on class rank that some super selective private universities are reputed to have (and Texas public universities also), it is no surprise that students try to game the class ranking system.

Cpeake2013 · June 16, 2012, 7:50am

happymomof1: When speaking with my math teacher (who also teaches college courses at the local college), she said that this dual-credit calculus class would only give the most basic math credit (due to it’s simplicity when compared to an actual AP Calculus/“More Advanced” Dual-Credit Calculus class).

Seahorsesrock: Yes, it is assuming that each student who is included in the number 1 spot will get all A’s. Because of the weird situation of not weighting the AP classes, most of the students are opting to not even take them (a few students will take one). And, honestly, I really, really doubt that any of them will not get an A in his/her more difficult classes. Yes, the students are quite crazy over the valedictorian position. Being ranked number 1 is the only competitive spot at our school. Everyone else doesn’t care what his/her class rank is. And I know it may not seem too impressive in a class of 96, but when I’m stuck making the choice of taking more difficult AP classes and/or being valedictorian (or dropping OUT of the top 10% of the class by not taking both of the weighted classes), it makes the decision difficult.

Sorry for the massive amount of detail, but that was the only way I knew how to say what I wanted to. Thanks for the help :)

csdad · June 16, 2012, 7:57am

One thing you need to do is talk with your GC. On the Common App. they have to fill out a section on the “Rigor” of your courses. You want to make sure that they can check the box that says “most rigorous courses offered at our school”. This is going to be more important for admission at the most selective colleges than you being valedictorian.

Pizzagirl · June 16, 2012, 8:18am

You are far overstating the importance of being valedictorian.

sylvan8798 · June 16, 2012, 10:49am

It sounds ridiculous to take two calculus courses at the same time. You will not need a “general math credit” and Calculus I both. Take one or the other. I would go with AP Calculus if you get better credit for it later.

I don’t understand the statement about not wasting your money taking an AP exam?

happymomof1 · June 16, 2012, 11:17am

Check the transferability of the dual-credit class. If it is a real true college course, the credits should transfer just about anywhere. And if it is real, live Calculus 1 then that is what it will transfer as. Don’t as your teacher, ask the registrar’s office at the college/university that offers it.

A high school course with AP in its name will not give you any college credit or advanced placement into a higher level math course in college. It is just one more math class on your HS transcript. For credit and/or placement, you would need to take the AP exam and/or a placement exam at the college/university where you ultimately enroll.

If an equivalent amount of material is covered in the two courses you are considering (compare the textbooks and course syllabi), I would definitely go for the dual-enrollment as it will yield more bang for your buck/effort.

AP Questions and Unusual Dilemma

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