<p>I am a senior applying to colleges this fall and I am uncertain which courses should take that are most appealing to colleges.</p>
<p>I noticed that Harvard recommends 4 years of science, but I have only taken 3 and I cannot fit a 4th into my schedule. Is this a major application issue at Harvard and other prestigious schools such as Northwestern, Columbia, UPenn, or Stanford?</p>
<p>(I am interested in a double major in tv/film and either business or economics.)</p>
<p><a href=“I%20am%20interested%20in%20a%20double%20major%20in%20tv/film%20and%20either%20business%20or%20economics.”>quote</a>
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<p>That’s much more of a problem for an application to Harvard. Have you checked whether Harvard offers the major programs you seek?</p>
<p>Well I would make an exception and just focus on economics if I got into Harvard, haha.</p>
<p>I could possibly take a 4th year of science, but that would require that I drop AP Microeconomics. As somebody planning to major in economics, wouldn’t you think that Harvard rather I take that instead of a 4th year of science that I will never use?</p>
<p>Perhaps try taking a class at your local community college?</p>
<p>Usually it is part of some sort of special high school “challenge” program. Make sure you have all the prerequisites, show your SATs, and have everything prepared.</p>
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<p>No, I think H would like to see someone with well rounded academics, just like they are asking for in their course recommendations. They really don’t care what you plan to major in (most students change their majors once in college anyway), unless you’re already very accomplished in your field.</p>
<p>You can fit another class in your schedule if you self-study or do a distance learning class.</p>
<p>Well I’m currently in Multivariable Calculus at my high school (I took BC calc as a soph and ap stats as a junior) so I could potentially drop that course, but then I wouldn’t have a math class my senior year.
Plus, I think such an advanced class like Multivariable Calculus will look a lot better to Harvard than a 4th year of science.</p>
<p>I could take a non-AP level 1-semester class such as Medical Microbiology or Pathophysiology in the second semester of my senior year however.
This would give me 3.5 years of science.</p>
<p>Would a school like Harvard like 3.5 years of science with one of those courses? And is taking 4 years of science really that essential to Harvard?</p>
<p>Hard to answer a moving target.</p>
<p>jimpagels, you have looked up the Harvard course recommendations. You know what Harvard recommends. Now you are saying that you, jimpagels, know more about what Harvard would “like” than the Harvard Admissions department?</p>
<p>Harvard has very clearly stated what they “like.”</p>
<p>I just wrote this FAQ for another thread today: </p>
<p>HARVARD COURSE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS </p>
<p>There are no strict high school curriculum requirements at Harvard, only recommendations. (That’s clear if you look at Common Data Set answers for Harvard, e.g. </p>
<p>[College</a> Search - Harvard College - Admission](<a href=“http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=1251&profileId=1]College”>http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=1251&profileId=1) </p>
<p>or the U.S. News guidebook.) So nothing is strictly required, but, yes, some students applying to Harvard will have high school records with all of the recommended courses. See Harvard’s webpage </p>
<p>[Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: Prospective Students](<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/college_prep/index.html]Harvard”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/prospective/applying/college_prep/index.html) </p>
<p>about high school courses for a longer answer reflecting Harvard’s perspective on this issue. Do what you are able to do in your local high school context to challenge yourself and prepare well for college, and then don’t worry about it.</p>