I am currently and high school sophomore and I am aiming to attend an ivy league school. I was wondering if my schedule is okay. (I want to major in psychology)
This summer: (I will hopefully go to Harvard’s Secondary School Program to take these courses: I was already accepted and I have already enrolled in these classes, hopefully HSSP won’t be cancelled) Physics: Mechanics and Psychology
Junior Year:
AP Language and Composition
AP U.S. History
AP Calc BC
Chinese 4
Orchestra
Water polo & Swim
+
Self-Study for AP Spanish Language
Summer: (Hopefully at Harvard’s Secondary Program) Physics: EM and another Psychology class + a high school government class
Senior Year:
AP Literature and Composition
AP BIO
AP Stats
Water polo (I am not sure if I want to continue with swim my senior year because it is very time consuming.)
+
AP Spanish Lit (self-study) (Even though it would be a class that I would take online, and not in school, my school would put it on my transcript, because they don’t offer this class.)
Orchestra
The classes you take aren’t what gets you into ivies. Everyone can take tons of AP classes if they want. You have to do well in almost all if not all, of the classes you take. Moreover, what classes you take is just one of many factors considered by colleges so asking “will my schedule get me into an ivy” isn’t really a great question.
They’re also ridiculously competitive with <15% admit rates, mostly under 10%, making your chances of acceptance really low no matter what you do, unless you have a hook. That being said, your schedule does look competitive, provided you do well in those courses, but keep in mind that grades alone are nowhere near enough to get you into an ivy.
Keep in mind there is simply no list of specific classes, extra curricular’s etc that are guaranteed to give admission. Take competitive classes (you are), focus on extra curricular’s that you are passionate about or need to do (work) etc, and find some non ivy schools you will be happy at and can afford since not everyone no matter how good of a student will get into ivy league. Basically continue to aim for ivy but don’t forget other options.
Any elite college (with acceptance rates often in the single digits) should be considered a reach for any unhooked applicant. IMO too many people focus only on the Ivy and equivalent schools when there are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there.
When the time comes to create a college application list certainly include some Ivy/Ivy equivalent schools (assuming you have the academics to get a serious look) but also be sure to search out a group of match and safety schools that appear affordable (run net price calculators) and that you would be excited to attend.
You have the same chances as any other applicant at an Ivy League…pathetic. They’re hyper-competitive reach schools. Just be sure you keep an open mind and apply to a wide variety of affordable target and safety schools you’re serious about.
Thank you all for responding! I’ll definitely keep an open mind and apply to many other schools as well. Also, one of my aunts is getting her PhD at Harvard, would that possibly help my chances or being accepted there?
Q: Are my chances of admission enhanced if a relative has attended Harvard?
A: The application process is the same for all candidates. Among a group of similarly distinguished applicants, the daughters and sons of Harvard College alumni/ae may receive an additional look.