<p>Hi, I'm new here. I just finished freshman year and would like to ask some questions. I really would like to attend to go to Berkeley (hopefully Haas or even undeclared) USC (preferably the Marshall school). This year I've had:</p>
<p>Spanish 1: A+
P.E.: A
Biology: A+
Geometry: A+ (A second semester)
Computer Repair ROP: A+
English 1h: A</p>
<p>I only took one honors class this year and would like to know if this is a really bad thing, as I applied for 2 and didn't get the other one in my schedule. Other than this, I've done 20 hours of community service and plan on doing 50 more at various locations this summer, and I'm taking Tennis this summer. I plan on taking all honors (except chem) and AP Euro next year (since I'm taking W. History in summer school, and AP Art History if it's being offered), as well as joining many, many more extracurriculars. In Junior and Senior year, I plan on interning for a large business as well as being in many other extracurricular/things to show leadership, , and to take every AP class offered except Physics and Chem. </p>
<p>USC or Berkeley have been where I've wanted to go since I was 11 or 12, so will the classes I took this year be a huge disappointment to the admissions boards?</p>
<p>Yah you look fine and should be far from fretting. I didn’t take AP/honors classes until I was a junior and even than i only took 2 and took the other 7 my senior. But it seems like they only like it when people get an A+ in PE.</p>
<p>hahah JK you need to chill because unless you get a C or D you have nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>I remember when I was a little freshmen worried over a B. I WONT GET INTO BERKELEY NOW!!! I suggest you start taking some honors courses… I question the rigor of your courses since A+ isn’t easy to get in most schools. If you are getting A+s, why aren’t you taking them in honors level?</p>
<p>When possible, take AP classes. It will definitely boost your GPA if you earn As in them.
Also, as much as you focus on your grades, start volunteering or becoming involved in extra curricular activities at your school. </p>
<p>thanks so much! I’m taking these classes sophomore year
AP Euro
AP Art History
Algebra 2H
English 2H
Spanish 2H
P.E.
Chemistry (normal)</p>
<p>Should I take honors chem? I don’t think I can handle 6 honors/AP with tennis, SAT classes and other extracurriculars… plus I don;t want to major in anything science related</p>
<p>thanks again lol I was so worried me not being in honors classes in freshman year would make Berkeley hate me…</p>
<p>The schedule looks fine. I had to ap’s during sophomore year as well. see how it works out for you this year, and if you think you can handle more AP’s, then increase the load to 3-4 next year. plus, the rising & striving to do better trend will look good :)</p>
<p>When you’re in your last year of high school, you’ll look at your transcript filled with A’s and possibly B’s and C’s and you’ll think to yourself about why you ever cared about taking one more AP class or choosing this class instead of that class…enjoy high school and do your best. have fun, find your interests, and try out new things.</p>
<p>Yeah, don’t worry. During my senior year my counselor recommended I take more AP classes because I only had 1. I decided not to do them because I didn’t want to force myself to take a class I didn’t want to take. In the end, I still got in the schools I wanted. Just take the classes you are interested in taking and don’t do things solely because they “look good” on applications.</p>
<p>Yeah, I got in with 3 APs, with a 4.5 gpa (straight As). I don’t think it’s a matter of how many you take, but how well you do in them. I have friends who took more APs than me and got Bs and Cs who are now going to CSUs and lower tier UCs. I have friends who took around 5 APs, got mostly As in them and are going to Berkeley. Of course, there are a lot of people with around 8 APs with near perfect grades so you could be at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Forgot to add:
Realize that the # of AP classes is only one factor in admissions. So it’s not just about grades and course rigor (though that makes up a big part).</p>
I was so worried me not being in honors classes in freshman year would make Berkeley hate me…</p>