<p>So I read that some of you are trying to decide on AP vs IB? IB is great if you’re planning on going outside of the US. However, you’re very restricted as to the classes you can take. (At least, that’s how it is in my HS.) If you go with AP, you decide (for the most part) what courses to take. Obviously, there’s required classes, but it’s a lot less restrictive. American colleges view AP and IB as the same for the most part. So, if there’s any possibility that you’re going abroad for college, do IB, if not, stick with AP. </p>
<p>No, I don’t really have a dream school. I’m kind of just focusing on making a smooth transition into high school (socially, that is) and getting good grades. I’ve been really interested in Penn for about a year and a half, but I’m a young adolescent - my mind changes all the time.</p>
<p>I didn’t either until the end of Freshman year. Just take challenging courses so that you don’t accidentally close any doors on yourself. Your grades freshman year are only import for class rank and GPA. Even then, you still have time to raise it. Try to start high so you don’t have to worry about it though. Plus it’s easier to maintain your rank and GPA. </p>
<p>Yeah. I do have a question about summer activities and stuff, though. Is it basically an unspoken rule that you should do something over the summer, be it taking a class, volunteering, or doing some program? I’m kind of lazy and summer is just my time to sleep like a cat.</p>
<p>I’m a junior (almost senior) and I don’t even have a dream school. I think I win.</p>
<p>Enjoy your summer. Hang out with friends. Be a kid. I did nothing (nothing productive at least) summer going into 9th and 10th and I don’t regret it.</p>
<p>Pretty much. You don’t have to overdo it, but try to get involved. Since you’re only a 8th grader/freshman, you don’t need to do too much. Just do a couple of volunteer activities or maybe a summer job. You could even take an online course or a class at your local community colleg</p>
<p>I chose my classes in February and get my schedule in July/August. I’m so anxious to see it. I’ve been lurking on the teachers’ pages on the school website and looking at the homework and stuff, and it doesn’t seem too hard. I’m in all honors except for spanish. Judging from the study guides on the website, honors algebra I is what I learned last year/is learning this year, so I’m kind of happy I can get a bit of a break in math.</p>
<p>In 18 days I’m graduating in a class of 21 people, and next year there will be over 300 freshmen. I go to a Catholic K-8th grade school and there aren’t even 200 kids in the entire school, so it’s a huge change. My biggest concern is handling the workload, though.</p>
<p>Is anyone else going from tiny to huge schools?</p>
<p>I’m not exactly going from a tiny to huge school, but my high school is pretty big. My current grade has >450 kids and next year there will be about 850 kids in the freshman class.</p>
<p>@Kimm: I went from a class of 8 to a class of 800. My middle school was a little smaller than yours. It’s an adjustment. It’s not too bad though. It’s easier to make friends because you’re not limited to that same group of people. It wasn’t bad at all. I actually like the big school atmosphere better. </p>
<p>Also, you’ll all notice that your class size loses about 50 or so kids. At the beginning of the freshman year we had ~850 kids, now we have roughly ~660. Those kids dropped out because of pregnancy, drugs, criminality, etc. Some of them transferred. </p>
<p>Thanks. I guess my main concern is getting to my classes on time and shoving through crowds of people to get there. I’ve never had to worry about that kind of stuff before.</p>
<p>And I got my summer work packet for Honors Algebra I today. Kind of panicking. Most of it is just more complicated versions of what I’m learning this year, but some of it I have absolutely no clue how to figure out, like literal equations. I did buy some books and stuff to help me, though, so I guess we’ll see how it goes. The packet is definitely making me more worried for algebra though.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, kimm. I took Honors Algebra I in seventh grade and it wasn’t hard at all. In sixth grade, we basically reviewed multiplication and division the entire year. You’ll be fine. And besides, if you need any help next year you could always PM me. :)</p>
<p>@fascination: Thank you so much! I’m probably going to spend the summer trying to learn some of this stuff before the fall, so I’ll definitely let you know. Thanks again for offering to help :)</p>
<p>Hey guys, what do you consider the minimum amount of time summer school should last? I was thinking to take algebra 2 over the summer, until I found out the course lasts three weeks -_- and apparently the counselors “strongly suggest you * don’t take a core class over the summer.”</p>
<p>Hey everyone rising senior here, just a word of advice, don’t get SUPER caught up in the posts you see on CC as in " I’m taking 7 AP classes this year" yes challenging yourself is important but don’t over extend yourself just because you are convinced it’ll look good. As for summers volunteer once a week maybe or get a job, no need to spend the WHOLE summer taking a class, you guys are kids- everyone on this forum is and its important to not let that get away. </p>
<p>At kimm my school has 4k kids in it and I make it to class on time, the first few days will bf tough trying to navigate classes and stuff, but a lot of the time there is an orientation after you get your finalized schedule and before the start of school, a lot of the.people I know mapped out their classes and important locations, I.e bathrooms, nurse, main office, security office, gym and lunch room. </p>
<p>Again if anyone needs help I’m more then happy to help.</p>
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