Speaking of rigor....class choice when you can't do it all

[Anonymous]

Since AP science classes require two periods and there are only 7 total, trade-offs have to be made. If you had to advise your teen to take an AP science class vs a 2nd year of a journalism class where they would be a head editor, which would you choose? Obviously, the AP adds more to a weighted GPA, but being an editor shows advancement to a leadership position. The student doesn't plan on majoring in either journalism or a science in college, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Run the numbers and see what the actual impact to GPA would be in each scenario.

Also, "a" head editor or "the" head editor?

If the former: pick science.
If the latter: toss-up but leaning toward editor position ... but if they have other leadership positions to list, pick science.

[Anonymous]

This is insanity! Who says the science is better just because it has the AP seal of approval. I hate what the College Board has turned education into. They have turned kids into grade grubbing GPA strategists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is insanity! Who says the science is better just because it has the AP seal of approval. I hate what the College Board has turned education into. They have turned kids into grade grubbing GPA strategists.

It really is bananas. It wasn't part of my thought process when we decided where to send our son to high school, but I am now extremely grateful that he's at a school that doesn't rank students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is insanity! Who says the science is better just because it has the AP seal of approval. I hate what the College Board has turned education into. They have turned kids into grade grubbing GPA strategists.

It really is bananas. It wasn't part of my thought process when we decided where to send our son to high school, but I am now extremely grateful that he's at a school that doesn't rank students.

It doesn’t matter, colleges rank them on their own.

[Anonymous]

Why does your AP science class take up twice as many periods?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does your AP science class take up twice as many periods?

In theory, it’s a college level class so should cover more material than a regular HS class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does your AP science class take up twice as many periods?

One period is class, one is lab. It wasn’t like that for me ages ago.

FTR, I don’t think science is more valuable than other non-AP classes. I just know that an A is a 4, but an AP A is a 5.

[Anonymous]

Is journalism a significant EC for your kid? If so, I’d stick with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since AP science classes require two periods and there are only 7 total, trade-offs have to be made. If you had to advise your teen to take an AP science class vs a 2nd year of a journalism class where they would be a head editor, which would you choose? Obviously, the AP adds more to a weighted GPA, but being an editor shows advancement to a leadership position. The student doesn't plan on majoring in either journalism or a science in college, BTW.

My advice to the student would be to follow his or her interests.

[Anonymous]

Where is this? FCPS is only one period for AP science.

My kids are strong students, but not particularly STEM-focused. There is no way I would have encouraged them to take an AP science for two periods.

I think you let your kid choose, OP.

[Anonymous]

Editor!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since AP science classes require two periods and there are only 7 total, trade-offs have to be made. If you had to advise your teen to take an AP science class vs a 2nd year of a journalism class where they would be a head editor, which would you choose? Obviously, the AP adds more to a weighted GPA, but being an editor shows advancement to a leadership position. The student doesn't plan on majoring in either journalism or a science in college, BTW.

My advice to the student would be to follow his or her interests.

This...

What does your kid want to take if given this trade-off.

[Anonymous]

Editor - that’s a good leadership opportunity

[Anonymous]

If you are primarily applying to state schools, do the AP class for the GPA boost. State schools tend to focus more on the stats. You can see the lines on Naviance.