Classes Strength

Hello, I wanted to know if I am taking the right classes for highly selective and ivy league colleges.

9th grade I took:

  • AP Gov
  • Spanish 2
  • Honors Algebra 2
  • Biology 9 (requirement for school)
  • English 9 (requirement for school)
  • School Newspaper Publication
  • Art 9 (requirement for school)

10th grade I took:

  • AP Bio
  • AP US History
  • Honors Pre Calculus
  • Spanish 3
  • Honors Chemistry
  • Honors American Literature
  • Leadership

11th grade I am planning to take:

  • AP BC Calc
  • AP Computer Science
  • AP World History
  • Spanish 4
  • Honors Physics
  • Leadership
  • AND HERE IS MY DILEMMA: I am taking REGULAR English. I am a strong english student and my teacher recommend me for Honors English. The honors teachers have a reputation for being difficult teachers and I do not want to lose my grades in my other hard classes for that one english class. Is that a bad move? I am looking to major in computer science and business. I plan on self- studying for the AP Lang and AP Micro Macro courses as well. Is this a good load for highly selective colleges?

Thanks!

Yes it is fine. It is a smart move not to take the Honors English and jeopardize your GPA. If you want to do Engineering most schools won’t care whether or not you took honors english. Focus on your strengths(STEM).

Definitely very rigorous schedule.
Although, here’s the thing: even if you want to be a stem major, colleges always want to see strong writers. I totally understand worrying about your GPA, but is there a chance you could talk to the honors teacher and ask how to prepare for the class? Honors English will definitely help you with prepping for the AP Lang exam (i took my school’s 11th grade required english class and didn’t do any outside studying before 2-3 days prior to the exam and got a 5), and it would push you in English. Just my opinion though.

I was under the impression that selective schools don’t like seeing a student downgrade in a subject from year to year.

For example, going from Honors American Literature to a standard English isn’t a great thing.

But I’m just a kid and that’s what I heard. Maybe someone else can verify?