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What APs should I take sophmore year?
I'm currently a freshman, and my electives are due pretty soon. I was wondering what APs would be most beneficial to take. Sadly, my school only offers 4 AP electives for sophomores. These are AP Computer Science Principles, AP Seminar, AP Human Geography, and AP Psychology. I am currently in AP World (Freshman here can only take 1 AP), and while I did struggle a bit in the beginning because it was my first AP, I feel pretty decent and have an 89 in the class (other than that, I have all A's). I don't know how many I should take, and which ones I should take, but I am pretty interested in psychology (I'm taking regular psych right now), and I don't like presenting, so I feel like AP Seminar can help me get out of my comfort zone. AP Human Geo was a freshman history class this year, and my friends in it said they struggled, so I don't know if it would be a good choice as an elective. If I had 2 slots for electives, which ones should I pick? And should I use both of those on an AP or choose one normal, easier elective?
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Michael’s Answer
Hi Kristin:
Awesome on your academic accomplishments so far ... Congrats!
In Los Angeles, California, AP courses are normally offered from 10th to 12th grade. It is best to check with your high school Guidance/Career Counselor to view the layout of AP courses, when to take them and which ones. Also, upper class students (Juniors and Seniors) can provide guidance and advice on AP courses, how they performed in them, which ones to take, how many to take at the same time, etc.
With AP courses, they can be demanding and require additional time to prepare and to perform. One will need to find the balance between AP courses, regular courses and school involvement with clubs, sports, etc. as well as community involvement with volunteer work, church, etc. Organization, time management, communication, healthy diet, exercise and sleep are keys to success.
Here is a list of typical AP courses at each grade level in high school in Los Angeles, California:
10th Grade:
AP World History
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language and Composition
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Chemistry
AP Human Geography
11th Grade:
AP English Language and Composition
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP United States History
AP Spanish Language & Composition
AP Spanish Literature & Composition
AP United States Government & Politics
12th Grade:
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Psychology
AP Research
AP Computer Science A
AP Art and Design Program
AP World Languages and Cultures courses
Courses that can be taken in any year:
AP 2D Art & Design
AP Drawing
AP Environmental Science
AP Macroeconomics
AP Computer Science
AP Physics
AP Physics C
AP Latin
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Psychology. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information. The guidance counselor at your school can be a great resource and sounding board on how to pursue a career in Psychology. Also, it is best to seek out advice and guidance from your teachers, Physical Education Coaches, club advisors, etc.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
Awesome on your academic accomplishments so far ... Congrats!
In Los Angeles, California, AP courses are normally offered from 10th to 12th grade. It is best to check with your high school Guidance/Career Counselor to view the layout of AP courses, when to take them and which ones. Also, upper class students (Juniors and Seniors) can provide guidance and advice on AP courses, how they performed in them, which ones to take, how many to take at the same time, etc.
With AP courses, they can be demanding and require additional time to prepare and to perform. One will need to find the balance between AP courses, regular courses and school involvement with clubs, sports, etc. as well as community involvement with volunteer work, church, etc. Organization, time management, communication, healthy diet, exercise and sleep are keys to success.
Here is a list of typical AP courses at each grade level in high school in Los Angeles, California:
10th Grade:
AP World History
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language and Composition
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Chemistry
AP Human Geography
11th Grade:
AP English Language and Composition
AP Calculus AB
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP United States History
AP Spanish Language & Composition
AP Spanish Literature & Composition
AP United States Government & Politics
12th Grade:
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Psychology
AP Research
AP Computer Science A
AP Art and Design Program
AP World Languages and Cultures courses
Courses that can be taken in any year:
AP 2D Art & Design
AP Drawing
AP Environmental Science
AP Macroeconomics
AP Computer Science
AP Physics
AP Physics C
AP Latin
While in high school, one will need to focus on science and math classes to prepare for a career in Psychology. Chemistry and biology will be the core science courses. For math, algebra and statistics will be needed. Other classes to take will be language arts, social sciences, foreign language and AP psychology. The combination of these concentrations will enable you to focus and refine your analytical skills for research; complex problem solving; investigative and innovative critical thinking; attention to detail; etc.
Other skills that will need to be built upon center around team building, team work and communication. In any work culture, collaboration among team members, staff and partner departments occur on a daily basis. As a Psychologist, communication is essential and critical when dealing with patients, medical personnel and other hospital staff. A college course in public speaking, communications and English will help with one's communication and writing skills.
While in high school, the debate team will provide the opportunity to sharpen communication skills which are backed with research and factual data and information. The guidance counselor at your school can be a great resource and sounding board on how to pursue a career in Psychology. Also, it is best to seek out advice and guidance from your teachers, Physical Education Coaches, club advisors, etc.
According to VeryWellMind.com, the educational pathway to become a Clinical Psychologist will be between 8-12 years. 4 Years will be to earn a Bachelor Degree. A Masters Degree will be 2-3 years. The Doctorate Degree will be another 4-7 years. Then, there are internships, certifications and licensing that have to be earned and achieved along the way.
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-become-a-psychologist-2794935
There are careers in Psychology that one can pursue. According to Indeed.com, here are some of the top careers for a Psychology major:
- Therapist
- Psychology Program Director
- Behavioral Analyst
- Researcher
- Psychology Professor
- Industrial Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Counseling Psychologist
- Correctional Psychologist
- Sports Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Neuropsychiatrist
- Child or School Psychiatrist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/top-psychology-degree-jobs
According to U.S. News & World Report, here is a link to the Best Colleges and Universities for a Psychology major:
- Stanford University
- University of California (Berkeley)
- Harvard University
- University of California (Los Angeles)
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
- Princeton University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Yale University
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- University of Wisconsin (Madison)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
When reviewing colleges and universities, it is best to check the following:
- In-State vs Out of State Tuition
- Internships
- Scholarships
- Career Placement upon graduation
- Course work and offered classes
- Post-Graduate Degrees - Master and Doctoral
There will be a application fee to pay for when submitting college applications. The amount of application fee will depend on the college that you are applying to. If there are questions about the college application process, please reach out to the college's Registrar Office.
There are scholarships based on need, academic performance, school activities, sports involvement and community service. So, it will be to your advantage to seek out these types of scholarships. All of the academic staff at your high school that you interact with can write letters of recommendations for you based on what was just stated above. These recommendations can greatly help when filling out college and scholarship applications.
College and scholarship applications can start to be submitted during your Junior year and will continue throughout your Senior year in high school. It is best to ask your Academic Advisor/School Counselor on the timeline process as well. College and scholarship applications will have specific deadlines and requirements to meet in order to be submitted for review and consideration.
You may want to start to compile your resume/portfolio since a majority of scholarship applications will require academic grade point average (GPA), academic accomplishments, school activities (clubs, sports, etc.), community involvement (volunteer, church, etc.), academic and personal recommendations, etc. There may be essay requirements on why you are a qualified candidate to receive the scholarship and gain the entry to the college of your choice, what your future goals are academically and professionally and other questions centering around who you are, your beliefs, etc.
Here are a couple of links for College Scholarships:
https://www.mometrix.com/blog/scholarships-for-college/
https://www.nchchonors.org/students/awards-scholarships/national-scholarships
Also, it will be best to check with the colleges and universities that you will be applying to. You can check with the School/Department of your desired major, the Campus Career Center and the Register's Office for additional information for college scholarships and grants and specific requirements for qualifications.
There should be no limit on the amount of scholarships that one can apply to. It will take time to fill out the scholarship applications and provide all of the necessary required information. Also, there should no fee and no cost to fill out and submit scholarship applications. If there is a fee or cost that is associated with a scholarship application, then please do not send this particular scholarship application in. It will be a scam and money will be lost.
Best wishes for your education and career path in Psychology!
Thank you for taking the time to write this!
Kristin
Updated
Jarod’s Answer
If you are aware of your areas for development, then getting help with communication is a really good option. The AP seminar can enable you to better master communication skills and get practice in public speaking. I believe it will be a great choice. Additionally, in this era of the rapid development of AI, what cannot be replaced by AI is the communication and comfort between people. Therefore, AP Psychology might be a good option for the future.
Thank you!
Kristin