<p>Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and I have a few questions.</p>
<p>I am currently in my junior year but I will be doing my senior year in 2 years so I have more time for AP and college level courses. My goal is to become a Politician and I haven't taken any AP courses however I am in college level History, English, Science and Bible courses. I was thinking (in the first year) U.S. History, U.S. Government, Economics (what is the difference between Macro/microeconomics?), and European History. I will be taking my ACT in June. The second year I would take English Language, English Literature, and World History. The schools I will be applying to are University of Chicago, Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford. I would love UChicago the most but how is their law school? What if politics doesn't work out? I have a love for America, writing, and history so any other possible jobs? What other things can I do in the next 2 years to increase my chances to get into a good university?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>ALSO, I will be taking my AP courses online along with a creative writing honors program and I run, play the guitar and banjolele for extra curricular and will start volunteering next spring. :)</p>
<p>It’s okay that you haven’t taken AP courses yet. Most regular school kids don’t take AP’s until junior or senior year. </p>
<p>The difference between Macro and Micro is quite simple. Macro covers the big parts of economics (government, world economies, GDP) and micro covers the smaller parts (supply, demand, how small choices affect largely). Of course courses may mix depending but your AP choices are solid. I’m not sure how UChicago’s law school may work, because UChicago may be more of an artsy school. </p>
<p>I don’t know your religious preference but Patrick Henry College is supposed to be good for homeschoolers. </p>
Hey @timelessr, I’m a homeschooler too. My parents are not the stereotypical homeschoolers. We are pretty liberal and un-religious about homeschooling, so I will likely go to the public Highschool next year. Currently I’m a Sophomore, so I can kind of relate to you. Some of my Homeschooling friends have gotten into top universities. From what they told me I have a general idea of what colleges look for when they admit homeschoolers.
For your schedule:
I highly recommend taking as many AP classes you can instead of CC or university classes. Although, you will get a great experience taking CC classes; the admission officers will not know how easy/difficult the course was. You may take for example, chemistry at a CC, and get an A. When you apply to colleges with that on your transcript the admission officer will not know if that class was as hard or harder than the AP classes other applicants will take. Obviously, if you want to go to a college in your state then you should take CC courses, and expect them to transfer. Hopefully because the admission officers might have seen previous applicants with from that CC.
If you want to take AP classes I recommend going to your local HS, or take the classes online. The Potters School (online) does a great job preparing kids for the AP tests. However, the teachers can be really intense and demanding, but most kids can get a 4 or 5. My AP econ teacher is awesome!
You said you want to go to top schools and maybe do a jd, and go into politics. I know several alumni from UChicago (law). They are super sharp! Besides that point, admission to any top school is brutal. Don’t just think about classes. Almost every jo-shmoe applying will have taken multiple AP’s, and have good SAT/ACT scores. Try finding things you like, and invest time in them (i.e… Youth Group, Instrument, Sport, Volunteer at Hospital, or fundraising…)
Hopefully you will enjoy your remaining years of HS.
Anyhow, best of luck!