I’m in the process of picking my schedule. When I graduate I’ll have a full set of Spanish language credits but I’m not sure whether I should take Arabic 2 as well because it’s between that and a random honors class (like Anatomy) which would just be a tiny boost to my weighted GPA. Arabic 2 is a regular class though but I’m thinking another language class senior year may look better than the minimal boost. What do you guys think?
If you’re taking Spanish all 4 years, I don’t think another language class would really help.
If you are planning to continue arabic in college, then take it. If instead you could take an honors class somewhat related to your planned field of study, then definitely take that instead. You should take the honors class if neither of those apply to you, because there is no reason to take arabic if you have already taken another language and “completed” it.
I see. I was under the impression that a college may be more impressed additional studies in another foreign language especially if I expressed interest in one day owning my own business. The honors class (anatomy) has no relevancy to my desired major though.
If you want an honors class, then take something else that is “not random” and has relevancy.
What do you want to major in in college?
@JoeyPapagobich Well, there’s no relevant honors class. I’m looking at CE right now and have already taken the relevant AP class.
I’d go for the honors class. Colleges like to see the continuous study of 1 language for 3-4 years.
Thanks. And one other question. I took Physics 1 but I really don’t want to take Physics 2 for a few reasons. Is AP Environmental a fine substitute for a science class senior year?
Is Physics 2 AP? If not, then yes. I’m assuming your target major of CE stands for Chem Engineering or Computer Engineering, both of which require an extended amount of physics. That extra physics course could be more valuable than, excuse me, a soft AP like Environmental Science.
Physics 2 is AP. And I’m sorry, I meant CS, not CE. CS is considerably less physics based from what I understand. I already will have over 16 APs completed upon graduation and Physics is a pretty big time investment and I want to have time for applications and ECs.
It depends on the college you go to, probably. You’d still have to take physics but it wouldn’t be as much than if you were a CE major.
My vote is for Physics depending on what caliber of college you’re looking at.
What do you think of just taking APES and acing the SAT II Physics exam to demonstrate my aptitude for Physics since I already have a Physics course on my transcript (with an A). I would take Physics II but like I said, compared to all my other classes it’s a bigger time investment/stress factor and I’d like to maintain my 4.0. I have a lot of stuff to do senior year.
Also consider the possibility of you earning a high enough score on the AP test to not have to take a physics course in college. I don’t know what requirement a 5 on the the APES test can get you out of for CS.
Was Physics 1 an AP course?
@codemachine Yes it was, and I got a 4. None of the colleges I’m looking at will give credit for Physics 1&2 since it’s Algebra based so I don’t really care for the AP credits. I’ve passed all of my APs so far with 4s and 5s and I don’t really expect anything out of the scores but whatever I do get out of them is just a nice treat. At this point, my chief concern is a strong application.
Oh, I see now. In that case, I’d take the one you think you’d do the best in, which sounds like APES.
I would do the following:
If you know what colleges you are looking at, look at their required coursework for the major that you are going into. Check to see if you can take any AP classes that you have not taken already that will allow you to exempt one of the main classes. If there is/are such, take it. If not, take an honors. Good luck.
I went and did the same for Computer Engineering, so I am taking AP Chem in order to exempt the science requirements. If I do Comp Scie, AP Chem won’t hurt and will help.