Sophomore Year Classes

Pre-College Topics High School Life
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1

Hello! I’m currently a 9th grader who is taking two AP’s (AP Human Geography & AP Computer Science). I’m maintaining good grades (97+) in all of my classes which are all honors except for Spanish and a career class. I’m am planning to take English 2 over the summer with the school. English has always been one of my best subjects so I think that AP Lang would be a better choice for me.

In my sophmore year, I plan to take

  • AP Lang
  • AP Precalc
  • AP Biology
  • AP World History
  • Pre-AP Chemistry
  • Medical Terminology
  • Spanish 3 Advanced

Do you think this courseload will be achievable? I am especially worried since AP Precalc and AP Bio are very hard courses.

2

Why are you taking both Chemistry and Biology? I would only take one of those.

3

Why?

Get a job.

Volunteer somewhere.

Why do you need to get ahead?

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4

Why?

Depending on your target colleges, many want English each year regardless of credits earned. There are no brownie points awarded for taking AP Lang in 10th vs 11th.

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5

I’m sorry, I should’ve clarified but I want to free up space in my schedule to take a medical-oriented satellite program in my senior year where you can earn medical certifications. Isn’t it better to gain more experience in regards to the medical field to get into top universities?

6

It’s better to focus on taking core classes and doing well in them.

For what purpose exactly?

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7

Depends on your definition of top universities.

And my understanding is most of these certification programs are targeting students aiming for vocational training.

My definition of “top universities” would prefer applicants have 4 years of solid academic preparation across all (or most) core subjects.

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8

Should take whatever classes interest you.

I sense this thread will deteriorate into “what to do to prepare for med school” while I’m still in HS.

9

Top universities (any universities) are more interested in how you do in your core classes. Taking English over the summer will seem like you’re trying to find an easy way out (and it will not prepare you for AP Lang). Don’t do that. If you’re interested in getting exposure to medical fields, do some relevant community service. But keep in mind that most students who think they’ll be pre-med never go to medical school, so no college is looking for you to craft a medical career in high school. However, they are looking for you to establish a strong track record in the core subjects that will provide the foundation for any kind of education you pursue after high school.

A tip: don’t plan your curriculum to get into the top universities, however you define those. Most people don’t get into them. Maybe you will, and maybe you won’t, but you should think first and foremost about developing your mind and character right now-- by challenging yourself with a rigorous schedule, sure, but not by twisting yourself into knots so you can fit the image you imagine colleges want to see.

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10

Focus on preAP Chem and don’t take AP Bio yet.
Medical terminology is a pointless class unless you plan to attend community college to become a CNA or such (a respectable path but totally different from the premed pre-reqs. Premed pre-reqs have nothing “medical” about them: you need to take Chemistry for chem majors and rank among the best, take Biology for biology majors and rank among the best, etc. What colors your path as “medical” is volunteer and clinical experience.)
Why don’t you replace medical terminology with graphic design, choir, or any class that sounds cool?
As a result, you should be planning to volunteer with a group of people different from what you’re used to: work at an abused victims or homeless shelter, at a Family Planning center, a soup kitchen, through a church/temple/gurdwara, welcome families at the hospital, help older people navigate online paperwork, etc.
Stick with Spanish : in college, it may make the difference between getting an internship or not.