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Hi. I'm a sophomore at a smal private school. I hope to be looking at highly selective schools. I haven't taken many of the tests yet, but I have a 4.0something in school, a 790 on the writing SAT II, and a 740 on the math SAT II. My question is about what courses you would recommend for junior year. This year, I'm in AP European history, Quant. chem, Precal, Latin III, and English. I have not taken introductory bio, as most sophomores do (instead of the junior chem class that I took). I'm considering a few different plans and would appreciate any suggestions:

1-AP US, AP English, AP Calc, AP Latin, AP Bio (School's g.c. has advised me agaist 5 APs, and I want to be sure that I have time for the multiple extracurriculars in which I'm involved, for service, and for fun!)

2-AP US, AP English, AP Calc, AP Latin, Intro Bio (Intro bio is the sophomore course I skipped...I'm concerned that this schedule wouldn't enable to me take AP Bio and Quant. Physics in H.S.)

3-AP US, AP Englsh, Prob/stat (not AP level), AP Latin, AP Bio (School's g.c. is concerned about nonsequential math courses and would like to see me in Calculus)

I would appreciate any insights or recommendations. Thanks! Smiles. :-)

By sexy sadie on Saturday, June 01, 2002 - 01:58 pm: Edit

go for 2.

By Megs on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 02:38 am: Edit

do 1. Taking 5 AP's really isn't that bad; I go to a strong ("nationally recognized") private school, and I just finished my junior year taking classes very similar to the ones you have listed. Colleges, especially the ones you would like to attend, want to see students who take the hardest classes possible.

By Lovin Life on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 03:32 pm: Edit

Thanks for the ideas, sexy and Megs. I appreciate them. :-) Megs--What you say makes sense to me... The think is in my school teachers say that the AP courses give 1+ hour of homework each night... Since we have mandatory sports, and I usually don't get home from practice/games until 5:00-6:00, the idea of starting 5-6 hours of homework then is somewhat daunting... I've read many of Mr. Berry and Dadster's posts... I'd be interested in what you think as well... Thanks! Smiles. :-)

By Dadster on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 06:07 pm: Edit

To me, passing on one AP class that isn't in your area of interest is no big deal. Taking four APs certainly demonstrates that you aren't trying to avoid tough courses. As long as your GC is willing to check off the "took most challenging courses" box on your applications, I wouldn't worry about it. Choose the courses you prefer to take, and that you feel will prepare you best for college, rather than the ones that will "look best" to an admissions officer. Good luck.

By jenniferpa on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 06:57 pm: Edit

The only thing I would like to add to this thread is a reflection on how different AP courses can be in different schools. At my daughter's school they say to allocated 3 hours a night for AP History alone! So obviously, they vary.

Jennifer

By APnoGoodAtMySchool on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 07:05 pm: Edit

I'd like to add my comments about AP courses at my school. Most of the AP courses at my school are a joke...a lot of people take them to inflate their GPA, and the AP test results show that, very little 4's and 5's. Most of the school's focus is on our International Baccaluareate program...which is evident through our track record with colleges and the IB test scores...

By Lovin Life on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 07:41 pm: Edit

Thanks so much for all the input! Dadster, I couldn't agree with you more about taking courses that I want rather than those that look good... I apply the same attitude to ECs, service, etc... (Do you what you love, and it'll all work out, I believe.) I have heard a lot about course variatons. The school does put a big emphasis on students getting 4s/5s, and only the best students take the AP courses... I can identify with the 3 hours that Jen mentioned. While the school insists that that amount of time is not necessary, I certainly found myself spending at least 3 hours reading/writing/studying for AP European this year.... Thanks again! I appreciate all the time and help. :-) Smiles!

By sexy sadie on Sunday, June 02, 2002 - 11:35 pm: Edit

I guess I'll justify my response. Skipping one AP is a better idea because you still have a hard courseload but will be able to develop your ECs. To get into selective colleges, the academic "barrier" is the the first step usually. I think skipping one class will not exclude you. After that, it's down to everything else--ECs etc. So you need to develop these to get to ADMISSION (weeeeeeee). I think it's worth it; otherwise you'll just get beyond that initial screening and ... yeah. My two cents.

By LovinLife on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 08:48 pm: Edit

Thanks for the advice, sadie. As for ECs, I'm on the soccer and track team. I am one of the leaders of an effort to start a school newspaper. I am on student council. The thing in which I am most extensively involved is service (social service committee, co-chair of a group that raises thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish organization, volunteering in a 1st grade class for a period a couple times a week, in the winter volunteering about 10 hours a week in a preschool setting after school). Do these seem to be strong ECs? Thanks again! Smiles! :-)

By LovinLife on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 09:05 pm: Edit

Sorry--Just to qualify what I said about ECs, my shcool is a small private one at which we don't really have clubs, math teams, academic decathalon, etc. Thanks! :-)

By Roger (Roger) on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 09:12 pm: Edit

LL, your lack of formal clubs may be a blessing in disguise. Instead of getting involved in humdrum, run-of-the-mill club activities, you are more or less forced to do something original. I think building on your service activities would be the way to go. If you are successful in launching the newspaper, that would be noteworthy application material as well. Good luck!

By LovinLife on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 09:24 pm: Edit

Thanks, Roger. I have also coordinated numerous service projects for my class (Habitat, raking leaves for senior citizens, etc.) In addition to what I the service during the school year, I've spent much of each of the past 3-4 summers volunteering. This year, I'm doing a volunteer internship for about 100 hours at a school for autistic children (early childhood education, especially that of children with special needs is a passion of mine). Thanks. Smiles! :-)

By LovinLife on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 10:24 pm: Edit

Thanks to everyone for the tips. Appreciate it!! Smiles to all! :-)