Specialized classes for Senior year or AP classes?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>So I’m currently coming up with a schedule for my senior year but I don’t know what classes I should pick; specialized classes or AP classes? I want to major in Electrical Engineering.</p>

<p>I believe that the specialized classes can help me towards my major, but AP classes show that I can handle college work, and that I’m motivated, only if I do well in those courses of course.</p>

<p>My five main classes (english, science, math, foreign language, and history) are

  • AP English (but part of the UCONN Early College Education program so it’s basically a legitimate college classes)
  • AP Physics 1 (it’s not actually part of the college board AP program but my school offers AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, and the actual AP Physics class, but it’s still considered an Advanced Placement class at my school.)
  • AP Calculus AB
  • French 4
  • Civics</p>

<p>Now regarding my electives, I’m thinking about,</p>

<p>SPECIALIZED CLASSES (they’re specialized in my opinion)

  • Interactive Arts Robotics (i’m really interested in robotics and want to do some research in it and probably work for a robotics company. you learn all things about robotics including both the software and hardware side)
  • Digital Electronics (again, seems fitting since i’m probably going to major in EE)
  • Computer Programming 1 (just one class that i feel is fitting for a potential EE student)
  • Applied Math: Introduction to Analog Electronics and Engineering (expected to work independently in this class, and solve real world problems, which I think is valuable)</p>

<p>AP/Advanced Classes

  • AP Computer Science, (idk if i should take this class because I’d rather than computer science related classes in college, and if I get a good enough score on the AP test, I opt out of CS related classes in college)
  • AP Statistics (my guidance counselor recommended this)
  • Advanced Choir (I really love singing, and my guidance counselor even said that I was one of the best students in my school, but I should also show another side of me that isn’t just academics. she basically wants me to display my artistic side)</p>

<p>I’m only going to be picking two electives because I want to have one free period my senior year, so rather than having 8 classes, I’ll only have 7. </p>

<p>I’m just wondering if colleges are more interested that you can challenge yourself and are ready for college (ap classes), or if they’re more interested in the classes you take that apply for to your desired major</p>

<p>I know this is long, but please help!</p>

2

<p>How many classes can you have? Because if you’re going with the standard six, IMHO, this would be a good schedule: </p>

<p>-(AP) English Literature
-(AP) Physics I <em>2 if it’s offered</em>
-(AP) Calculus ab <em>bc would be better, though</em>
-(AP) Computer Science
-(AP) Statistics
-§ Interactive Arts Robotics or Digital Electronics</p>

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<p>@UCalifornias‌ i can have up to 8 classes but i’m aiming towards 7. </p>

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<p>I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE FIVE MAIN CLASSES I PUT UP ARE REQUIRED CLASSES. I HAVE TO TAKE A MATH, SCIENCE, FOREIGN LANGUAGE, ENGLISH, AND HISTORY CLASS MY SENIOR YEAR IN ORDER TO GRADUATE.</p>

<p>AND CIVICS IS A 1/2 YEAR COURSE. </p>

<p>AND MY SCHOOL ONLY OFFERS AP CALCULUS AB, NOT BC
AND IN ORDER TO TAKE “AP” PHYSICS 2, YOU NEED TO HAVE TAKEN AP PHYSICS 1</p>

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<p>No, actually that would not be better, since social studies and foreign language are missing. My recommendation is to pick 1 of the AP classes and 1 of the specialized classes. </p>

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<p>That’s ridiculous, @cbissereth! </p>

<p>Your school is probably misinformed about the AP Physics 1/2 curriculum. AP Physics 1 should never be viewed as a prerequisite to AP Physics 2. My school (and like 9/10 of the schools around us) let us take either one. </p>

<p>If all of those courses are required, I’d shoot for </p>

<p>-(AP) English Literature
-(AP) Calculus ab
-(AP) Physics I
-(AP) Computer Science
-(AP) Statistics
-§ French IV
-§ Civics/ Free Period</p>

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<p>By the way, what schools are you aiming for? It’d help with the rigor.</p>

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<p>@UCalifornias‌ i’m looking at uconn, university of maryland, university of virginia, clemson, virginia tech, upitt, and syracuse.
at my school we have CP Physics, AP Physics 1 and 2, and the actual AP Physics class</p>

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<p>Actually, AP Physics 1 and 2 are real College Board Advanced Placement classes :slight_smile: This year they’re replacing AP Physics B.
<a href=“AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based – AP Students | College Board”>Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board;
<a href=“AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based – AP Students | College Board”>Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board;

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<p>@cbissereth, unless your gpa is low, you don’t really need to prove yourself with this many AP classes to those schools. </p>

<p>If I were you, I’d chose a more relaxed schedule.</p>

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<p>@UCalifornias‌ thanks!!</p>