I’m a junior in high school and I plan on majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish for law school, at the University of Alabama for undergrad.
Here is my course schedule so far:
9th grade- Algebra 1, Physical Science, Honors English, Career Prep (I was homeschooled the first semester, so my credits didn’t transfer and these are the only ones that count)
10th- Honors Geometry, Algebra 2 with Trigonometry, Honors English, Biomedicine, Chemistry, World History, Early US History, Career Prep B, and Health
11th (last semester)- AP Biology 1, Spanish 1, Honors PreCalculus, and AP English Language
11th (now)- AP Biology 2, Spanish 2, Honors Biomedicine, and Modern US History
So my question is, what should I take next semester? I’m considering graduating in December next year and starting off with some basic classes at a college close to my home, but is that a good idea? I planned on going into medicine until I took Biomedicine, which I hate (with a passion!), and now I’m just taking more to make my parents happy and make it look like I know what I’m doing with my life. Ha. Anyways, I just recently decided I’d like to go into law/politics because I actually am really passionate about that. I regret being lazy so far, because I’m actually smart, but I just decided to take pretty easy classes to get by. I’m willing to study and work hard- what would be best for a future lawyer?
You should really try to take 4 years of English, 4 years of Social Studies etc. because this is what virtually every college requires. I would not graduate early unless advised to by your counselor and if you have taken the hardest course rigor tags your school offers.
“now I’m just taking more to make my parents happy and make it look like I know what I’m doing with my life”. Just a bad idea all around, but I guess too late to change. How is it going to make your parents happy that you are doing something you hate when you have no intention of continuing with this path?
If you stay in high school and take AP classes, you may be able to earn college credits. If you graduate and start college classes, you will probably have to apply as a transfer student which might reduce your chances of admission and probably will knock you out of consideration for scholarships. Also, you should check on whether colleges will take transfer students after a single semester. And you’ll have to pay tuition, when high school is free. Doesn’t make any sense to me.
Looks like your schedule is skimpy on Spanish and also you haven’t taken the obvious AP classes for a pre-law, like APUSH, AP Gov, AP World. I don’t see you outgrowing high school, unless your school doesn’t have anything like this?
Your schedule isn’t really impressive in terms of difficulty, so there’s no point in rushing in my opinion.