A number of questions that have been on my mind

Applying to College
1

I have developed a number of questions over the past couple of months, and I would appreciate it if you could answer a few.

  1. I took 1 AP sophomore year (AP Statistics) and jumped up to 5 AP classes (AP Physics 1, AP Spanish, AP Language, AP Biology, AP Calculus BC) junior year. I am a rising senior, with my senior year schedule consisting of 3 AP classes (AP Economics, AP Psychology, AP Chemistry). I am taking Accounting as my math class (I could take DE Multivariable Calc but decided not to) and stopped taking advanced English (regular English now instead of AP Lit after 3 years of honors/AP). This isn’t because of senioritis; I just ran out of AP classes that pique my interest (I am applying as a biochem or neuroscience major). Also, it doesn’t help that there are a number of required electives that I still need to take. Does this schedule look bad/lazy to schools like Stanford, Cornell, and Brown?

  2. I started an activity slightly before the end of my junior year, and I plan to continue it at this location throughout senior year. Do I average the number of weeks I will spend on it this year and next year, or do I just put how many I have done so far?

  3. I should be a National Merit Semifinalist in September. Once that comes in and I try to get to Finalist status, what do I put on the Common App? Do I put National Merit Semifinalist (pending Finalist), or just put National Merit Semifinalist and assume they know I applied for Finalist and haven’t heard back yet?

I know #2 and #3 are nothing to worry about, but I’m just curious.

2

Bump

3
  1. The schools you mentioned will expect to see the highest course rigor possible, across all subject areas.
  2. My D only put activities that she had done to date.
  3. Don't project awards that may come in the future. Colleges know when NMF are announced. You can always have your GC send an update to your RD schools later.
4

For course rigor ask your guidance counselor how your rigor will be stated on their recommendation - most rigorous or not.

5

@momofsenior1 @“Erin’s Dad” Thank you for your advice. Does the “spike” theory* not apply in this situation? I have developed a pretty big spike in science/medicine and some of my essays focus on that.

  • Says that colleges don't want well-rounded students; they want students who have pursued their interest to the best of their ability.
6

I’m not a big fan of the spike thing. Do what interests you. Find a college that values that.

7

IMO, spike doesn’t apply to your academics. Look up the recommendations for incoming freshman at the schools you are interested in. The most competitive expect to see 4 years of all core subjects and don’t want students to skip in one area to double up on another.