APs, SATs, interests, AHHH

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi all,

So this year as a freshmen, I am off to a bad start. My grades aren’t very good (two A-, two B+, one B). I did not take any AP class or exam, making it harder for myself to achieve the 6-8 AP Classes I desire (This was strongly recommended by many students who all are attending Ivy League’s this year). Next year as a sophomore, I will be taking AP Calc, AP Micro. However, for Junior year, I want to take AP Bio, AP Latin, and AP Comp. sci. But, there are very unique courses that are very interesting to me which aren’t AP level or even required. These courses are heavily relied on mathematics and sciences, which is something I want to major in going into the college.

I am not sure whether I should take those interesting courses or focus on tough APs like latin and comp sci as well as the SAT/ACT my junior year. I believe in the latter but would the interesting courses add some attention to college admissions?

Also, for Subject SAT tests, I am taking Math over the summer this year, and Latin next year. I plan on taking Bio in my Junior year.

I really really want to study biomedical enginnering, or a field in which engineering and medicine are combined. I’m passionate about prosthetics and forms of technology to cure medical problems. I am really shooting for the top notch schools for this field such as John Hopkins, MIT, UPenn, and Duke.

Currently, I take PreCalc Honors, Honors Physics, Honors English, Honors History, Level 2 Latin.
Next year, I am taking BC Calc Honors, Honors English, Honors Chem, Advanced Jazz Theory and Improv, Latin Level 3
I will also be taking a self study for micro economics
Junior year, hopefully, I will take: Honors Bio, Multivariable Calc, Honors English, Advanced Computer programming, Latin Level 4 AP
Senior year, hopefully: Honors US History, Advanced Calc and Stats, Honors English

So, my ultimate question is, should I be taking 5 AP’s, and 3 SAT Subject Tests? If so, is this strong enough for my applications to the colleges listed. Other students say I need 6 or 8, that too with passing grades. I don’t want to ruin my GPA though by taking so many APs. I would love for someone to give me harsh feedback and how I can change my course planning to reach success.

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How many APs does your school offer? It all depends on the courses offered. For example, my school offers ~20 AP classes and I will have taken ~14 by the end of high school. But then again, don’t take so many so that your grades drop. I would not self study APs unless you really want the credit. Spend that time on extracurriculars that you are really passionate about. If I were you, I would focus on the AP classes that interest you. After all, high school shouldn’t be all stress and no fun.

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The vast majority of freshman do not take AP classes. After all, AP classes are designed to be college-level classes, and there are very few 14 y/o’s ready to take college classes.

6-8 AP classes or at that level or beyond. Post-BC Calculus falls into that bucket. Don’t get focused on just the AP label.

You will earn no brownie points for this. Colleges prefer when you take an actual class; self studying does not impress them.

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take the classes that interest you.
And ignore what other HS students tell you.
This is the place to get valid information.

this is what Stanford says about what they are looking for and the rat race to take AP classes for their own sake-
Use is as a general guide to choosing the classes you wish to take.
There is NO recipe for getting into Stanford or any top college.

“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”

“We want to be clear that this is not a case of “whoever has the most APs wins.” Instead, we look for thoughtful, eager and highly engaged students who will make a difference at Stanford and in the world beyond. We expect that these students have taken high school course loads of reasonable and appropriate challenge in the context of their schools.”

http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html

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@menloparkmom It says clearly “most demanding courses available at school.”. My school does not offer AP classes, so it is up to myself for studying for the AP Exams, and preparing for SATs, Subject Tests etc. The courses that I will be taking that are considered AP courses, is AP Calc BC, AP Honors Bio, AP Advanced Computer Science, and AP Latin Level 4. I also plan to take Environmental Sciences as this will be strong on the application for me wanting to major in BioEngineering.

@skieurope Taking microeconomics as a self study will show that I am driven, and that I was able to study and pass the AP course on my own. As a self study, their are mentors and teachers to help me out when topics become difficult. Microeconomics uses lots of math, this would show the strong side of engineering, and combining that with Bio and comp sci will show well that I desire to major in bioengineering.

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@TheTennisNinja My school does not offer AP courses, but as recognized by multiple colleges, their are 11 courses at my school that are considered at AP level; meaning if a student were to take it, then he or she has a high chance of passing the exam.

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@TheTennisNinja @menloparkmom @skieurope
According to Indiana University: “Bioengineering is not part of the traditional engineering education and requires not only an above average ability in math and science but also a willingness to embrace these other areas due to the interdisciplinary nature of Biomedical Engineering.”

My interests are strong science and math, and I have achieved A-'s in both of those subjects this year. However, I truly need to show my ability in those subjects, and so that is why I want to take AP exams/courses I have listed above. But, I also want to take courses that are unique such as Group Theory, Jazz Styles, and Computer Science with the real world. I am torn between this, I want to show my interest in these topics, but at the same time I need show that I am smart and good in these topics; its the only way I can really make it to my dream colleges.

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There is no expectation from any college that a student needs to self study AP’s if the HS does not offer them. It’s fine if you want to do so, but it will not enhance your college application.

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It reads "most demanding courses available AT SCHOOL "
not MOST DEMANDING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
Just at YOUR SCHOOL.
That is why I have copied it again . And why I have emphasized the most important words in capital letters.

If you want the chance to get into great colleges, you will need to develop the skill and patience to read more carefully.
So get great grades in the classes AVAILABLE to you, impress your teachers with your intelligence- their LORs are critical to your college applications, take other classes that interest you AT YOUR SCHOOL, participate in outside interests, and do your best.
PLEASE read this, which is at the bottom of the same web page I linked earlier- i added caps for emphasis.

" AP scores that are reported are acknowledged but RARELY play a significant role in the evaluation of an application. GRADES earned over the course of a term, or a year, and EVALUATIONS from instructors who can comment on classroom engagement provide us with the MOST detailed insight into a student’s readiness for the academic rigors of Stanford.

If Stanford wanted kids to take AP tests for outside self studied classes, they would say so.

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And in fact, Stanford said “don’t.” When I was going through the admissions process, I went to an Exploring College Options event, which had reps from Harvard, Stanford, Penn, Duke, and Georgetown, among others. During the Q&A, someone asked, “What do you think of applicants who self-study for additional AP’s over and above the AP classes they take?” One rep responded, “Please don’t do that. We’re not impressed by that.” The other reps all nodded.

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High school isn’t a race for APs. Seriously. Chill. If you don’t get 6-8 APs by the end of high school, don’t worry. Take the classes you WANT to take and don’t self-study APs to try to improve your odds. It isn’t going to happen. Plus, you don’t need to go to some school with sub-10% acceptance rates to be successful in your career. Just try your best in high school, engage in activities you enjoy (including classes that may not be AP level), and enjoy it. Don’t dictate your life on college admissions.

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Colleges want you to take the most challenging classes at your school, which may or may not mean taking AP classes. If your school doesn’t offer AP classes, there’s no reason to self-study the exams unless you want college credit. Just focus on succeeding in the classes your school does offer, in addition to studying for the SAT/ACT and working on your extracurriculars.

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@menloparkmom thank you for the insight. Thank you all for such clarity. @skieurope @halcyonheather @Muufeen

I believe I have found my answer in this discussion and I appreciate you all for commenting.

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That’s what we’re here for! We do appreciate getting feedback from those we try to help. Best of luck to you!