Side question: As for the most rigorous thing my GC will tick off, will he consider my senior year course load and does that even matter if I a student didn’t do well in their rigorous classes (like a C or lower)?
Yes
Yes it matters. Obviously an AO will view a “most demanding” designation with all A’s differently than a “most demanding” with C’s.
Got it. Is there a designation lower than “most demanding”? If so, what is it?
So overall, how does this sound for social studies.
Fresh- APHUGE
Soph- Summer school USH (not remedial, just compressed)
Junior-APWorld
Senior-APMacro/Gov
Does that make me “competitive” for T20’s as for as social studies?
For the Common App, the designations are most demanding, very demanding, average demanding, and less than demanding. Other apps might have slightly different terms. And in general, there is no standard metric about how a schedule is rated - it’s up to the counseling office.
Yes, those courses cover it. It’s competitive in the generic sense. But why this sudden talk of C grades? You need top performance. Aim for it. And try to enjoy that.
Get to know the GC.
You’re early in the game. But the sort of spirit that allows you to se the best in the US course is good. You just need time to develop this. And you have that time. Also, to develop your ECs.
@skieurope Yet another question(you guys are my saviors lol). Do GC’s count foreign language as classes that would help me get to that “most rigorous” category? As for why I don’t ask him, he’s very busy always and booking appointments with him can take weeks. Note that I’m doing normal spanish 2 through 4 (no honors from spanish 1-3) and I could take ap spanish senior year but I’m terrible at it so I’m doing 4.
Again, it’s a question for the GC, but in general, rigor would be across all core subjects - English, math,science, history/social studies,and foreign language. But it does not usually mean that you need AP’s in every single one.
Imo, you’re fine with Span 4. Use theextra time and energy on the WH class.
Make that appt with the GC. You want him to know you. Get on his good side.
@skieurope So let’s say that student A and student B have the same courseload except student A takes 4 years of normal spanish while student B takes 2 years of spanish and 2 AP classes. Which one has a better chance of getting the “most rigorous” designation in your opinion?
Both students. Its a negligible difference.
You’ll have 4. The point is to concentrate on the full picture a top college wants, not get mired in which of two kids “looks” better in some one aspect. In holistic, they will look at that full picture each applicant presents, including written parts of the app. That’s why you need a better understanding of what your targets look for, from what they say, the kids they tout, other sources from them.
You’re a rising junior. Take a breath. Do well this summer, learn what your targets want and then do your best, build your record, academic and in ECs.
When all other things are equal? Well, all other things are never equal. Regardless, @lookingforward is correct; top colleges evaluate holistically, so take a breath, and worry about you, not how you compare.
My younger kid took four years of history - NYS Regents Global part 1, APWH instead of part 2, APUSH and APEuro. He tested out of the NYS Econ and Gov requirement which was an option at his school. He also took math through AP Calc BC. (Got into one highly selective colleges and several selective colleges.)
Older son took Regents Global 1, Global 2, APUSH and the AP Econ/Gov (AP test in Econ only). He took math through Linear equations. (Got into a couple of highly selective colleges and rejected from several as well. He had almost perfect SAT scores, and perfect subject test scores. Grades and scores are the least of your worries.)
Very selective schools are absolutely looking for well-rounded course work. So four years of social science type courses with a level of rigor and 4+ years of math probably ending in a calculus course. Some students will get in with less, but most will not have holes in the transcript. If you are interested in econ you may want to save statistics for college when you can take a calculus based course.