Planning for a Career in Engineering: Senior Year Course Options

[Legendofdeep]

I'm a junior in high school and I'm planning to be an engineer when I grow up. Below is the schedule for senior year and I am wondering what classes would be the best choice for being an engineer.

Honors English 4
Calculus
AP Physics B
AP Psychology
AP Macroeconomics
Fine/Applied Art (Needed for Graduation)

I already took three years of Spanish and Tech Design Lab.

 

[jhae2.718]

If you can, take AP Physics C instead of B. Physics C is calculus-based, while B is algebra-based, which isn't as useful from an engineering prospective.

Also try and take AP Calculus BC.

If offered, I'd also consider taking an AP English so you can claim credit for the class and get out of taking English in college.

 

[Legendofdeep]

My teachers did not recommend me for AP Calculus and AP Enlgish and I will not be able to get into them without an teacher recommendation. AP Physics B is the highest Physics class available at my high school. How important would you consider AP Stat?

 

[jhae2.718]

AP Stat wouldn't hurt, but calculus is more important.

 

[WatermelonPig]

^Unfortunately, I found out (the hard way) AP Stat doesn't usually count for much in terms of credits but AP Calc does. But maybe you should also take a preenginneering (or any tech ed design class) class. Also, intro to programming, maybe AP Chem are good too.

 

[Pengwuino]

Keep in mind that after the first year or so of your university career, what you did in high school pretty much becomes meaningless. So don't sweat it :). At the most it means you take an extra class at some point, but with 30-40 classes for a bachelors, it's pretty much a moot point.

 

[Chaostamer]

Take as many AP classes as you can. If you can get out of a good chunk of gen-eds, it will allow you a lot more breathing room in your schedule. I'd try to take AP Calculus if it's even remotely possible, but be prepared to retake it at the university level. Even if you get a 5 on the AP exam, AP Calculus is too watered down to serve as your only exposure to the subject.

If you think you can handle AP Calculus and AP English, I'd suggest trying to make an appeal. Maybe you can talk to an advisor/guidance counselor? I had to fight for a couple months to get into AP Calculus, but I eventually got in and ended up doing reasonably well. Your situation just might be similar.

 

[Legendofdeep]

I talked with the math supervisor and she switched me into AP Calculus but the English supervisor would not switch me in AP Literature and Composition.