<p>Let's say for the first 2 years of high school I didn't take very challenging courses (most honors, 1 standard per year, and 1 completely wasted semester of soccer....and a not so wasted semester of weight lifting, and no APs), and got straight A's in everything. Then in junior and senior year I have 3 or 4 AP classes and the rest all honors or music classes (I'm focusing on music in my application, sending in the music supplement and stuff) but still get all A's.
You think the adcoms will see this as me "realizing my true potential" or something and having a positive trend, I mean after all I've shown that I can handle the hardest course load and I guess this shows improvement and a newfound dedication......or do you think they'll look at my fresh/soph classes and be like "Nope, loser, should have taken harder classes them first two years!" ?</p>
<p>Keep in mind that college admissions is a complex and subjective process. It is very difficult to guess what the admissions officers will think. Although college admissions officers do like to see improvements in your academic rigor and grades, remember that there are many high school students who took the most challenging classes during every year of their 4 years of high school. However, it appears that you are selling yourself short… you say you took honors classes, and they are supposed to be the most challenging classes that can be taken during freshman and sophomore years. Most schools, mine included, don’t allow students to take APs before their junior year unless they are accelerated in math or foreign language. </p>
<p>At this point, don’t worry about your past… think about the present. Focus your efforts on your Common App and Duke essays. Don’t worry about your past academic class rigor… it appears you took very challenging classes in high school. Good luck… and RELAX! Everything is going to turn out all right in the end (even if you don’t get into Duke)… I wish I realized that when I was in this stage of the admissions process.</p>
<p>Yes they will see that chance. However, you have to know that there are people who has taken the most rigorous course all 4 years. I don’t think that admissions will reject you solely on that. They will question why you decided to not take the hardest courses possible but they won’t think you are totally a slacker since you got all A’s.</p>
<p>The most important year that most (not all) admissions offices look at is junior year, I believe. I don’t think having an easier first two years will harm you too much; most students don’t know what they want to do until junior year. In addition, some high school don’t even offer honors or AP to freshmen and sophomores. (My high school only offered one AP class to sophomores, none to freshmen, and a handful of honors classes to both.)</p>
<p>Focus on your essay; it’s the most important part of your applications. Sell yourself there well enough to where they won’t think about any shortcomings.</p>