Can you drop AP chem at this point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:True fact: All the AP science classes require a lot of outside work to achieve an A.

100% this
AP Science classes are hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, all.
We are considering suggesting to our child that they drop the one other class they don’t have a A in and are feeling frustrated by (a difficult language course) and which is causing them a lot of stress combined with the AP chem stress. Perhaps by switch to another class instead of the language class, along with getting support for AP chem they will feel things are more manageable emotionally and allow them to push through AP chem and the other courses they are taking. They would finish this current semester as is and then drop the language mid year and take a one semester social studies course. I feel like given this kid generally excels in science and is doing great in the other science course they are taking concurrently the 2.5 years of language will not look as bad to colleges when applying?

Seeing things thru always looks better than dropping mid-year. I'm the pp with the physics DS. He similarly struggles with FL. We talked to an independent college counselor who advised us that seeing things through, despite difficulties is better than dropping them. And you can use the overcoming of those difficulties in college essays to show resilience and persistence. That's the route we're taking (plus tutors!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, all.
We are considering suggesting to our child that they drop the one other class they don’t have a A in and are feeling frustrated by (a difficult language course) and which is causing them a lot of stress combined with the AP chem stress. Perhaps by switch to another class instead of the language class, along with getting support for AP chem they will feel things are more manageable emotionally and allow them to push through AP chem and the other courses they are taking. They would finish this current semester as is and then drop the language mid year and take a one semester social studies course. I feel like given this kid generally excels in science and is doing great in the other science course they are taking concurrently the 2.5 years of language will not look as bad to colleges when applying?

It depends where they’re applying. Some colleges require 4 years of world language. UMD only requires 2, I think.

[Anonymous]

Get the additional help on AP Chen. Check if it’s offered in Saturday School. Get a tutor. See the teacher every day at lunch. The science APs are no joke and they require additional help. Very few kids succeed just by trying their best. My kid went to Saturday School when taking his AP physics classes 9th and 12th grades. You gotta put in the extra effort if you want to so we’ll in the class. But don’t just drop it without first seeking the extra help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:True fact: All the AP science classes require a lot of outside work to achieve an A.

Are AP science classes harder than IB science classes in general?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:True fact: All the AP science classes require a lot of outside work to achieve an A.

Are AP science classes harder than IB science classes in general?

According to my child’s school counselor, yes, very much so. Especially AP Chem, AP Physics C and AP Bio after those two.