@BucketsUCSC Grades are very important, but your grades alone can’t get you into college. For example, student A has a 4.0 GPA unweighted with few credentials. Student A applies to the same school as student B. Student B has a 3.7 GPA unweighted but has outstanding credentials. Student B gets in and Student A doesn’t. Do you know why? It is because colleges want a well-rounded student who will benefit their school and not just spend all their time in the schools’ library studying.
@aspringgirl That is true, but some schools look for students who are really good in a specific subject area. Take Caltech for example. They look for students who are outstanding in the STEM fields and, usually, the STEM fields alone. Harvard, on the other hand, looks for students who are well-rounded in multiple subject areas. Usually colleges want well rounded students, but, sometimes, that isn’t the case.
@cxprus whats IB Survival?
Yes, but I personally think they mostly look for students in STEM fields because they are a school of technology. That is specified in their name. California Institute of TECHNOLOGY. I hope I don’t sound too contrary.
Very true, very true. It isn’t the California Institute of Avocados. lol
It isn’t?! I’ve spent my whole life growing, eating, and living out of avocados.
true i agree it is also based on strength of schedule Ec’s Essay and Standardized test scores. However, GPA is generally the biggest factor
What science classes are you guys taking next year?
@aspiringgirl haha!
@raffie I am taking either Honors or AP Chemistry (probably Honors) and Introduction to Astronomy.
Human Anatomy & Physiology and either AP Environmental Science or AP Chem
@raffie I’ll most likely be taking Anatomy & Physiology Honors.
@TrainerGary IBSurvival is a forum.
@raffie I’m planning on taking IB Bio SL and IB Chem SL over the next two years, but I’m not exactly sure how they are going to fit in. I really wanted to take HL Bio, but my school has stupid rules that won’t allow me to take it and HL Math, which I decided to chose over it because the credit transfers better and the class is undeniably considered more rigorous at my school. I am going to take the AP Bio and Chem tests though, so I can have at least the scores there if I can use them at what ever college I go to.
@raffie If I’m able to pass the chemistry exam for acceleration, then I’ll be taking AP Chem next year. If that’s not the case, then I’ll be signed up for pre-AP Chem.
Oh cool! I just realized that there are sooo many sciences offered after bio and chem! I am debating on taking AP Chem, Physics, AP Environmental Science, or AP Psychology haha, I definitely need to narrow it down.
Woah, I just looked at the Parents of HS C/O 2018… it’s so weird to me for some reason
I’m either taking Physics or Anatomy taking Honors Chem this year
@raffie I’m taking AP Chem and AP Pysch (…does Pysch count?). Seinor year I’m taking AP Bio and Anatomy & Physiology
@raffie You should definitely take Physics next year! A lot of colleges recommend that you have one year of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics each. You could also double up with another science class too. And to answer your other comment, I just feel creeped out by some of the parents on here. They care way too much about whether their kid gets into Harvard or not.
Edit: I actually just took a look at the parent’s forum and finally understand how some people live completely through their children. Just, wow.
@Madeline25 Well, next here I am supposed to be taking APUSH so wish me luck. I hear it is a lot of reading, but History is one of my better subjects.
@frazzledazzle I suppose it does.
I have a friend who is taking four AP’s, Calc AB, APUSH, AP CHEM, and AP Lang. He handles it so well though it is crazy.