2 Questions about Applications and Admission

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

Hi, I’m a sophomore, and so far I have a Cumulative GPA of 4.26, I just took the PSAT last October (October 12th, 2011) and am waiting on the results. I just moved as well, so my classes changed, and I expect my schedule will be changed yet again. From All Advanced Classes (Geometry,Biology,English),Chinese 2 ,APUSH, Symphonic Band and PLTW Principles of Engineering to an ADV Humanities (Social Studies and English) Geometry,Orchestra, Symphonic Band, APUSH,Biology, and Principles of Engineering. The next change will be switching out APUSH for Algebra 2 ( which I had already my freshman year) , because the school I moved to has that as a normally Junior class, and it will put me on the track for AP Calculus ( So while I’d like to keep APUSH, I understand the change because I want to be a Computer Engineer)
I am also aiming to go to Powerhouses and Ivies like MIT,Cornell,Carnegie Mellon, Purdue and (funnily enough) CalTech. I’m also applying to some less well-known schools.

I’m self studying Chinese and Programming (currently Java) right now, and hopefully, will be able to register for independent Chinese Study for the rest of the year.

I have two questions:

  1. Will the course names affect how colleges view the rigor of the subject? (I have to retake Alg 2 because the one I took was called Advanced Algebra 1 [ we worked out of Alg 2 books]

<ol>
<li>Should I list self-studies on my college apps in the future, even if I don’t get credits for them?</li>
</ol>

(note: Sorry for the long bio, I’m not aiming to brag)

2

Don’t list self-studies, if you self-study a course, make sure its ap so you have proof, can’t you take a test that will make you waive alg 2

3

My new counselor/teachers advised me to take Alg 2 again because it wasn’t under the right course name, and they said that there isn’t a way to skip classes. I’ll ask about testing for credit though.

4

regarding self studies: list as an extracurric activity since you are interested in these things. Not many students self study Chinese (you are not Asian, right?) or programming. Tie these into who you are and why you wanted to self study them.