A question on the not-so amazing earth sciemce and college admissions

Applying to College
1

<p>Well, I first need to say that I do not slack in school. Last year, my sophmore year, I took 6 IB classes, including IB Math pt.1, IB Spanish 4, IB History of the Americas pt.1, IB English 11, IB TOK pt1, and IB Environmental Systems. </p>

<p>Next year, I am also taking 6 IB classes, but since I took the IB test in E. Systems last year, I don't need another science class and am taking taking IB Latin 4.</p>

<p>Now here is the problem. To get the advanced diploma at our school, you need 4 science classes. I took two freshman year and one last year, but I need one more. I don't want to take another IB science class because all are two year classes, so the IB test credits won't count for the diploma(you have a two year limit, and it would take me three). So, I want to take Hon. Earth Science, but here a the pros and cons</p>

<p>Pros:
-It is an easy A+, boosting up my GPA
-The teacher is the same one I had for E. Systems, meaning she will give me a good rec because she will know me
-I am taking many IB classes next year, and this will be a nice break
-I get my IB diploma and my advanced diploma</p>

<p>Cons:
-I will be in class with "stupid" people, becasue non-IB kids take the class
- Colleges might not like the fact I am taking such an easy class
- The advanced diploma is nice, but not necessary because I have the IB one</p>

<p>So, should I take Hon. Earth Science, or should I take a different class?</p>

2

<p>“-I will be in class with “stupid” people, becasue non-IB kids take the class”</p>

<p>WOW!!</p>

<p>Please, please adjust this attitude before you go one day further in your life!</p>

3

<p>colleges might not care if you take an easy class..everyone needs a little break. As long as they see you are taking challenging courses, and I mean, it doesn’t sound like you have any other options..</p>

<p>and you probably do need to adjust that attitude; you should always set out to do your best, no matter what kind of enviornment, or who is around you.</p>

4

<p>^ I know, I know. That was bad word choice. How about the “we are stereotypical rednecks who don’t care about school so we will take this class because it is an easy A” kids. Almost everyone at my school takes IB classes, except for these few kids who are trying to get their parents to remove the IB system from our school for some unknown reason. The only kids who don’t take IB classes, which are already very easy, are the kids who think they can’t handle them, so a better word would be “less motivated.”</p>

5

<p>I don’t know how to edit the original post, sorry.</p>

6

<p>Ugh, I was in your same position. I needed another year of language, and was going to take Italian 1… except it was a non-honors class. It wouldn’t really bother me being around less intelligent people… except I would literally have had NO friends in that class, because all of my friends are in all honors/AP courses, haha.
Just take what you’d enjoy the most.</p>

7

<p>I am digging the Earth Science class. Wait, will that count as a year of science? It is a weird question, but I have heard they don’t accept Earth Science or Environmental Science.</p>

8

<p>The key word is “Science”</p>

<p>I say if your home state and/or school district requires four years of science for the diploma that you want to earn, you had best find out what classes your state and/or school district consider to be “Science”, and then take a class in that category. If they consider Earth Science as a “Science” you are fine. Usually Horticulture, Anatomy, and Physiology fall into this category as well.</p>

<p>As to how any one particular college/university will view any one particular course, who knows?</p>

<p>As to being in a class with non-IB students, you may be miserable, but again you may have a chance to get to know kids you otherwise wouldn’t meet. My niece in Texas decided to take a double period welding class her senior year instead of yet one more AP class. Two guesses as to which class she reports learning the most and meeting the most interesting people in.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>