<p>I'm a rising freshman and I was hoping that you guys could help me with my freshman schedule. In 8th grade, I took all regular classes including Algebra 1 part 2 (about 80% of my grade takes this class). This year, I will most likely be taking the following classes:</p>
<p>Honors Biology
Honors Geometry
US History
English
French 3 accelerated
PE
Studio Arts
Ethics</p>
<p>My school does not offer honors English or History in freshman year.</p>
<p>So I understand that this is a pretty average schedule, but I am trying to get into a top college in the future, what can I do to add a little color to my freshman year? </p>
<p>In addition to my academics, I play girl's lacrosse, I am signing up as a volunteer for the EMT squad this summer and I plan on joining a couple clubs this year. Oh and I will be going to Princeton Public High School in New Jersey, if that helps. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Oh and one last thing, do you think that transitioning from regular Algebra 1 to Honors Geometry will be a challenge (most of the students in that class took Algebra 2 last year)?</p>
<p>Dang your taking US history freshmen year? My school its a 11th grade class but there is AP US History. Do they offer AP US History in your school? If they don’t then even Honors US History will be better.</p>
<p>Geometry for me what some sort of a challenge but you will get use to it but I must admit its alot of work. You can bump down to regular Geometry if you want. </p>
Given that goal, understand that top colleges don’t look for breadth in ECs, they look for depth. So if you’re joining a bunch of clubs and then plan on choosing one or two to focus on in the future once you see what appeals to you that’s fine, but if you think that strong ECs involve a long list of clubs and the like you are wrong. Think leadership and/or accomplishment is a small number of areas. As Stanford says in a FAQ
<p>US history is often a freshman course, followed by World History sophomore year. Most of the time the sophomore World History course can be taken AP, but freshman US History is usually regular/honors. </p>
<p>However French 3 freshman year is very impressive. Keep going through with your foreign language to the end.</p>
<p>Freshman year classes at my school are Math I (Integration of Algebra and Geometry…weird), sometimes Math II, Earth Science, Communication Skills, English I, and World History along with any elective you take.</p>
<p>It’s interesting on how our schools are different.</p>
<p>In my school, EVERY Freshman student must take the same English class and History class; there aren’t any honors or AP classes. My first choice college is Johns Hopkins, I live in Princeton so in a couple years I assume that I will be applying there too (everyone does in my town, not sure of my chances - I doubt that they are very high haha). I have my sights set on JHU though… If anyone has any knowledge of what it looks for, please feel free to share it :)</p>
<p>Oh, and do colleges take into consideration your Freshman year…? I’ve heard that they look right passed it and they are more interested in your Junior and Senior year.</p>