2 Science+Drop Social Studies?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>Hi. I'm thinking about taking two science classes next year (AP Physics and AP Environmental Science); however, this means that I'll have a full courseload with no free periods:(</p>

<p>1) If I drop my insignificant, non-AP social studies class, will this look bad on my transcript when/if I apply ED to Williams (even though I dropped it for a second AP science class)?</p>

<p>2) In addition, if I do take a second science class, I'm not sure if the second course should be AP Environmental Science or this rigorous, honors engineering course (which I'd rather take). Since Williams is very liberal (support for protecting the environment), and since I want to major in Biology/Chemistry, which second course would "look better"?</p>

<p>Keep in mind that I'd be taking a total of 5 AP/honors courses (including the 2 science courses).
THANKS</p>

<p>Here are my stats if they help...
I'm a junior in Connecticut...</p>

<p>SAT I: 690 CR, 730 M, 750 W</p>

<p>SAT II: 730 Chemistry, 770 Math II, 640 Biology (ugh, but 5 on AP exam though)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.99 UW (Most rigorous honors/AP course load possible)</p>

<p>Class Rank: N/A, but ~top 5% (I'm guessing) out of 200 at a tremendously competitive high school</p>

<p>EC: 4 years School Chorus, 4 Years Class Committee, 2 Years in a club that raises money for poor/starving children in Africa, 4 Weeks Foreign Language Program in France (accepted under a full scholarship), 4 Years Varsity Cross Country, 3 Years Varsity Indoor Track, and 3 Years Varsity Spring Track</p>

<p>Volunteering: 50 Hours-building houses for poor families in local communities (also with Habitat for Humanity), babysitting neighbors</p>

<p>Leadership: Captain of Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Spring Track</p>

<p>Hooks: White Male (lol), only one of my parents went to college, and my athletic ability might be good enough for D3 schools</p>

<p>I really want to run cross country and track in college.</p>

2

<p>Either science class would be a fine replacement. I got in after dropping SS to double up on math.</p>

<p>Williams has a really strong track/running program for D3. Is your 5k sub-16?</p>

3

<p>Unfortunately not; it's more like around 16:15 with a 4:29 Mile and a 9:52 2 Mile, but I'm very much aware that my xc/track achievements won't get me "recruited". I was just hoping that they would <em>almost</em> make up for my low test scores/lack of a bagillion clubs (sports take up all my time!) if I decide to apply Early Decision. I've heard that a lot of the ED applicants are "athletes", albeit "recruited" ones or "decent" ones (like me).</p>

<p>Also, is it fine if I still have a free period after I drop SS? Do you have any free periods?</p>

<p>Thanks, Pawn.</p>

4

<p>you should take the course that you actually want to take because by your senior year you really need to enjoy your course work to keep it up all year. and then the honors engineering course sounds better to me than ap environmental science anyways...i dont really think of "APES" as a rigorous science course. i dont know if its like this at your school but at mine apes is more of a lighter course like ap psychology</p>

5

<p>My son had similar stats, was a solid (but nonrecruited) soccer player, both school and premiere, and had school and premiere orchestra (not recruited there either), no clubs, and got in ED--You should connect with the Williams coaches pretty soon if you want to pursue that avenue--they do have some influence over who gets in (they can give you "ticks") so if you think you might be competitive, then get in touch</p>