Easier Freshmen Courses In The Long Run

Applying to College
1

Hello all!

I am part of the class of 2021, and I have been exploring college options. It’s been a long and tiring journey, but I’ve found a few colleges which I think would accept me, although I have one concern: my freshman year.

I highly regret the courses I took, but as one who struggled in middle school, I had no choice. I took a standard math, science, and language arts course as opposed to an AP or honor. The following years i took several honors, squeezing them in wherever I could. I was able to take one AP and one college course this year (junior year), and have a very intense and rigorous course lined up for senior year.

I excelled in all of my courses, difficult or not, and am hoping the colleges would notice that. One college I have reservations about is University of Michigan; I have above a 4.0 however and an SAT score within the range along with numerous ECs and other beneficial qualities.

So, what do you guys think? Will my freshman year forfeit my hopes or do I have as good a chance as most others?

2

Course rigor is important. I don’t think freshman year is going to derail you but only 1 AP by junior year could be an issue. At this point there is nothing you can do to change that so be sure you have a good mix of schools on your list. You may want to focus on applying RD to most schools so you have first semester senior year grades to show.

3

My school only offers them beginning in junior year. I haven’t thought of applying RD. I’ll have 3 more in my senior year and I suppose that’ll help, right?

4

What AP’s? They’re not all created equal in the eyes of admission officers.
What percentage students go to college (4-year college)?
Is 4 APs considered “most rigorous” at your school?
What’s your parents’ budget?
If you haven’t discussed it yet, you should, and run the NPC (net price calculator) on your state’s public universities, as well as Lewis&Clark College, Muhlenberg, St Olaf (three colleges that “meet need”)