Hey, I’m a junior currently doing course selection for next year. This year I’m taking Physics Honors and AP Lang, next year my schedule is this so far:
AP Comparative Government
English 12 Honors
AP Stats
Forensics and Astronomy (two science electives)
Mandarin IV
AP Psych
Web Design
Will this be considered a bad drop in rigor? At my school there’s no ‘regular’ senior science class, it’s either science electives or an AP science class (which takes up 1.5 credits instead of the normal 1 credit, kind of annoying). Every senior I have spoken to has kind of scared me away from Lit, since it’s easily the hardest non-STEM class in the school and they say it’s not worth it unless you’re majoring in English or something similar.
How bad would it look to not take an AP science and/or AP lit next year? Should I just go for it? Info: I’m double majoring in Linguistics/Korean (or Asian Studies depending on the school), the hardest schools I want to apply to are competitive but not elite (OSU, Purdue, Binghamton, Brandeis)
For the universities you listed and even for more elite ones for Humanities (like Kenyon, Macalester, Bryn Mawr, or American), your schedule would be 100% fine.
You COULD take AP Lit to beef up Humanities but AP sciences are not expected for a foreign language major and you could achieve a similar level of rigor by replacing AP Psychology with AP World, AP Euro, or AP African American studies/history.
Note that Earlham is well-known for Asian Studies, as would Indiana University (apply to Honors) and Tufts. Also look into the Critical Language Flagships. They’re THE reference for languages&linguistics (with graduates snapped up).
Typically, AP Psych counts as a social science, not a science, though I suppose some HS could classify it either way. In any case, OP is taking 2 senior year science electives so is covered on that account.
TOSU, Bing, Brandeis… won’t expect Calculus for a future Foreign Language/Asian Studies major (though it’s not a problem if OP took that class). AP stats is a solid choice showing willingness to challenge yourself v. Elementary Stats or Financial math which many future Humanities majors take.
The rigor would most matter wrt Humanities&Social science classes, which is why replacing Psych (considered a “light” AP) with a “hard” one like Euro could matter, but for SUNYs and midwestern state flagships probably not going to make a huge difference.
Remember it’s your senior year so allow for time for college applications. Also, a study hall is helpful if you can build it in. I would drop Web Design; that is easily learned on your own. I would take AP Lit in place of English 12 Honors IF you can do well (B or better). I don’t think you need an AP science for the major you plan on.
Thank you for the advice! I consulted with my Lang teacher and I’ve decided to take AP Lit.
Thanks for the college ideas as well! I already have IU on my list, and UH’s Korean program looks wonderful but since I live in CT, it’s a bit too far from home for me
I would drop both AP psych and the science electives and/or web design and take an AP science (bio, chem etc) instead… The 5 core academics matter most…
Did you already take a calc class? If not I would do that and not stats.
(all general advice knowing little about the rest of your schedule, your school, grad requirements etc).
Also I am 100% in favor of taking a load you can handle, that matters HUGELY.
