Ask about Stevens

<p>Thanks! Feel pretty sure he will get in, but want to get an idea of when he will have all his ducks in a row so he can start making some decisions… really ready for this whole phase of the college journey to be OVER. ;)</p>

<p>Financial awards arrive separately.</p>

<p>I posted almost same question on High school but no one has responded yet. I am going to be a junior in September and I know this is an important year for classes. I am trying to finalize my schedule and I am contemplating taking an AP history class or honors class. Everyone says its really hard and if its my focus is on math and science should I just take regular honors and shoot for an A then possible due poorly in AP history. Does Stevens look at the history as much. By graduation I will have AP lang, AP lit, AP calculus, AP physics and possibly if schedule allows AP bio. I just don’t want to screw up my GPA for junior year. Any advice?</p>

<p>Personally, and my 3 sons would agree, I would not take AP History just for the heck of it. It tends to be an extremely writing intensive course and you really have to like it!</p>

<p>Concentrate on your math, especially. Do all the SAT practice tests you can and just keep doing well in your other classes. Good luck!</p>

<p>My son was a top hs student and he still took regular english (vs honors) his senior year because he was just done with that subject. He didn’t take AP History, either. Just regular. He concentrated his efforts in math and science. He had an excellent GPA and SAT, with long term ecs. He got a very nice scholarship and Stevens Scholars.</p>

<p>The only thing I might add is a computer programming course-if your school doesn’t offer one, maybe take it at a community college.</p>

<p>I wholeheartedly agree with rualum!!</p>

<p>My son took APWH and APUS. Both classes gave him his lowest grades and was the only reason his GPA fell to 3.83.</p>

<p>My son took these classes on the ill advice of his guidance counselors. The counselors in our school just push all the bright kids into every stinkin’ AP class they can. It’s ridiculous. </p>

<p>I’m going to digress here and just say that I have no respect for counselors when it comes to preparing for college and college searches. Their time is so obviously taken up by other school issues and problems. It is a disservice for them to imply they can provide the level of advice a concerned parent and bright child need.</p>

<p>OK, off soapbox.</p>

<p>After speaking with admissions at several STEM schools during my son’s search, they all said his other APs (without History and English) would have been more than good enough and they actually didn’t give a hoot between honors or AP English and History… no matter the grade.</p>

<p>It sounds like you’re set with your APs, but don’t take anyone’s word here on it. ;-)</p>

<p>I highly recommend you call the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in and ask them for advice. It’s a great way to establish a relationship with the recruiter for your area and you’ll get the “low down”… real data.</p>

<p>And always make the school you’re talking to feel like they are the school for you. Even if you don’t think so at the moment. You never know. They might give an offer you simply can’t refuse, and in that case they WILL be your favorite school. So act the part from the start everywhere you go.</p>

<p>thank you. I didn’t take the AP history and decided on Intro to Computer Programming (honors). I was going to call but thought they would not take as much interest in me since I am only a sophomore. I might wait till I get my results from my SAT I took in case they ask.</p>

<p>We started looking at colleges when our son was a sophomore. You should call and make those connections now. This is exactly time you should reach out for advice from them!</p>