<p>Ok, I am a high school sophmore in a large public high school. I love researching colleges and thinking about what courses I can take to strengthen my schedule. Rather than feeling inspired or pushed by teachers, I feel as though they are questioning my ability to succeed. I do fine in school, ending this semester with a 3.7 GPA, but my schedule is full of almost all standard classes. Throughout high school when I ask teachers if they would recommend me for higher classes, I always get the same response-"you are an invested student and a hard worker, but I don't feel that course would be a good choise for you." As I am picking courses for junior year, I feel as though it is too late to take on a heavy course load. There are no honors classes next year, just standard and AP. Since I have not taken many honors classes, it would be too big of a jump to an AP course. Next year I plan to take AP US and all standard classes. </p>
<p>I am really worried about how this will affect my college search. Obviously, I am not looking towards the Ivies or even top schools. My dream is to attend Boston University, but now I'm thinking this dream is too far fetched. If you have any insight or recommendations on what I should do, I would greatly appreciate it! I LOVE CC!</p>
<p>Are you saying that you haven’t been in any honors courses so far, and now that you are looking at junior year, the choices are only regular and AP, and you’d like to take more than just AP history?</p>
<p>What other AP course or courses would you like to take? Did you receive As in the same subjects this year? I don’t see why an AP in a subject you do well in would be too big of a jump. Just don’t overdo it. You’re already taking one-- maybe you could talk to your counsellor about signing up for one more in a subject that really interests you. Then in your senior year, you could try for three.
Don’t be discouraged. There are many good schools out there that will be happy to accept a hard worker who does well and who looks for challenges. I don’t know enough about Boston U, but if your grades are excellent and you have other things to bring to the school, it’s probably not out of the question. </p>
<p>I have another suggestion, and that is to get to know your high school counsellor or advisor now, while you’re still a sophomore. You can make an appointment to talk with her or him- you do have a real question that they can help you with right now- and that will pave the way for future encounters. If your counsellor can get to know you now, that will help when it’s time to apply to colleges. They probably have a lot of information about schools they can share with you, and if they know your goals, they may be able to steer you in the right direction.<br>
Test scores will matter, also. You might pick up a copy of a PSAT practice test in their office, or a book at the library and look it over. If you haven’t taken a timed test like this, I’d recommend taking a practice one at home, timed, and see how you do. Then you’ll be prepared to take it next year. If you think you’ll need extra help in bringing up your scores for the SAT when the time comes, it might be good to put a little extra effort in that way in over the summer when you have time. </p>
<p>And finally, be sure you’re involved with something at high school that you really enjoy. Don’t do extra stuff just because others are doing it, or because you want to look good to colleges. Find one or two activites that makes you want to get up in the morning and throw yourself into them. Colleges really like to see sustained interest and growth in an interest over time, but even more importantly, it will make you happy and make school more fun.</p>