<p>I am a senior living in Arizona, looking at very selective schools (Georgetown SFS is my number one choice). I have great ECs, (lots of leadership, and I did a semester abroad in Israel) and a strong GPA. I've taken all the hardest classes offered. So, here's my issue...</p>
<p>I am currently taking 5 classes, Econ H/Gov AP, Spanish V AP, Enviro Sci AP, English IV AP, and Calc AB AP. I'm VERY passionate about languages, and want to major in International Relations with a strong emphasis on several languages. I am semi-fluent in Spanish and Hebrew. With my current schedule, I come for 0 hour at 7:15 AM and leave after 4th hour at 12 noon. My counselor is trying to talk me into taking Chem AP 6th hour, meaning I have to stay for lunch AND 6th hour to take a science class I'll never use in college when I'm already taking an AP Science. I just don't want to give a school a reason to reject me for not having a rigorous enough schedule.</p>
<p>So, I was pondering upon what there is I could do with my time leaving school early that could be academic based but something truly worthwhile and relating to my passion, not just a job. And I figured it out...</p>
<p>I want to be an English tutor for elementary school students who only speak Spanish at an inner city school. I am unsure of whether or not I'd be paid, but to be honest, don't really care, I'd probably RATHER volunteer. I called the school (I've volunteered there before, not as an English tutor, but just to help out) and they said they'd LOVE to have me and really need the help. This is an opportunity to REALLY make a difference, and it would help my Spanish as well. I'd honestly do this just for fun.</p>
<p>So, my conundrum is: Would colleges view this with as much weight as I'd hope, and would it make up for having a slightly shorter schedule instead of AP Chemistry? I hope this is as much of a no-brainer as I think it is. Thanks!</p>
<p>You really have a fantastic schedule as it is, and I can tell that this really is your passion, so do that. The colleges will value your time in your passion, AND see your rigorous schedule as it is.</p>
<p>Do you really love chemistry? If not, then don't take it just for added stress and missing out on a great opportunity.</p>
<p>Also, you would be sitting in AP Chemistry learning about things you do not love at all, or even necessarily enjoy, and you will be miserable thinking about how wonderful it would have been to use your skills to help others.
You will regret it if you take the chem.</p>
<p>I totally agree. I originally was just trying to think of something that would fill the void from noon on so colleges wouldn't think I'm just lazy and sitting on my ass, so I checked if there is a Chinese class at my local community college, but it isn't available. And so when I thought of this I was SO excited. With this added, my ECs would be ridiculously outstanding. I'm seriously freaking out at this opportunity.</p>
<p>Also, I hate chem. I hate math and science. Unfortunately, I'm good at them, so I still take AP classes, I just hate them haha.</p>
<p>The experience you gain from tutoring kids on how to speak English will be FAR more valuable in the long run than taking AP Chemistry. Many colleges will see that as taking what you learned in school and applying to the real world. </p>
<p>Your schedule is already rigorous as it is and your resume looks very impressive. Take the tutoring job. You'll benefit yourself as well as the lives of those kids who need the support.</p>
<p>punch your counselor in the face, and tell him that ur schedule is more than competetive enough for even HYPS. And then do what you are passionate about.</p>
<p>Jenkster- Guessing you're a science person, haha. I'm good at science/math, I just don't enjoy it... at all haha.</p>
<p>BIGTWIX- AMEN. He constantly pushes me to do ridiculous things and makes me feel like I have to kill myself to get into the schools I want to get into, when I'm already more qualified than many other applicants. AHHH. And yes, I've pretty much decided to do what I'm passionate about.</p>
<p>Well, is it possible to take AP Chem instead of AP Environmental? Or is AP Chem only offered 6th period? Colleges know that Chem is harder than APES.</p>
<p>AP Chem has been the bane of the school year for kids that LOVE science and want to pursue medicine. If you aren't even remotely interested in this field, I could only assume that it would be an even greater thorn in your side.</p>
<p>AP Chem is only offered 6th, hence my problem. And I almost vomited in Freshman Bio when we cut open the frog, so I'm thinking a career in medicine is not in the cards for me.</p>
<p>Additional question... will it look different on a college based on whether I get paid or do this for volunteer work? I would personally prefer it to be volunteer work, the only problem is I'm very independent and do need to make my own money and to fully commit to this, I'd most likely not have time for a separate job. Thoughts?</p>