<p>I have a question about honor and AP courses vs. standard courses. My question is, is it better to be getting a C or D in higher level courses or an A in standard level courses. Of course the answer may seem apparent, but my situation is a little different. I’m currently a junior attending a public high school, and the environment in a public school is completely different from what I’m accustomed too! I was home schooled all my life and attending a public school has been a shock. Currently I’m doing horribly in my Honors Algebra II class and AP European History class, but I’m making A’s in every other class I’m taking. I want to attend an Ivy League University, but right now I definitely feel discouraged. I know it’s only the begging of the year and I can turn my grades around, but I rather drop out of the harder classes and make straight A’s than struggle academically in those courses :(. I have this goal of being a neurosurgeon and I definitely want to accomplish it, but I feel like I’m drowning. A lot has happened in my personal life and the added stresses of public school are suffocating me :(. I don’t want to rely on my race, gender, and income bracket to gain acceptance at an Ivy League. I rather meet their requirements as an individual separate from my unfortunate circumstances first.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if you considered that you’re going to be on a curve in classes with people who take full AP schedules and get strait A’s / finish first in their classes. </p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that you’re going through a rough time in your life but it seems that attending a school like Penn might be poor strategy for you, especially if you want to go to medical school. If you’re looking at C/D grades in honors courses at a public high school, you will not pass Penn’s biology and chemistry courses (required for medical school admission).</p>
<p>Perhaps you should take on-level courses, get A’s, attend your state school with scholarship/aid, and then have an easier admission into medical school? It would also take some stress off of you and help you sort other aspects of your life.</p>
<p>So an Ivy League school won’t accept me because I only took standard high school courses? What if I get a 2100 on the SAT and a 33/34 on the ACT? Would those scores make up for the fact I didn’t take all AP classes in high school? It’s not that I don’t want to take AP courses; it’s just too much for me right now.</p>
<p>Why would you want to go to an Ivy, where all of your classmates are as bright and accomplished as the ones in your AP and honors classes? Where the workload is as heavy?</p>
<p>If this is too much for you, drop back to regular classes. Do well. Find a school that teaches what you want to learn. Remember, 70 percent of applicants do get into their first choice colleges.</p>
<p>And consider the intense pressure in medical school and postgraduate training. There are tests and more tests, presentations for teachers who may focus only on your weaknesses, and long hours with little sleep. Does this sound like the kind of life you want?</p>
<p>You can find other medical occupations that offer much less stress with plenty of fulfillment and career satisfaction.</p>
<p>You don’t need a brand name diploma to be successful. And a brand name diploma certainly doesn’t guarantee success.</p>
<p>I dont think you quite understand where Im coming from. Im not saying Im not going to take AP courses. Im saying I probably cant for my junior year; however I will most definitely be taking all AP for my senior year. My mother died September of last year when I was 15, since then everything in my life changed abruptly. Being home schooled all your life then going to one of the largest public schools in your region isnt easy. Now that I think about it, I dont believe there is anything as difficult as what Ive been through. Yes there are things Im trying to adjust to, but Im not whining about anything. All I was asking was this, will an Ivy League University not accept me because I didnt take all AP courses 9th to 11th grade. Honestly, I dont think anyone one even knows the answer to that.</p>
<p>Although I also “do not even know” I can say this:
You will be considered in the application process. The fact that you did not take the most demanding AP courses will not be the best side of your application. Your excuse will also be considered. Although it is a very good excuse, it is still just that-an excuse. They understand its difficult. However, they also want to see that you overcame the difficulty, that you were able to move on and let it go and succeed anyway. </p>
<p>They will not be accepting students who, because of traumatic events that occurred in their lives, were unable to do well. They will understand that it has been very difficult for you, however, the reason you gave for not taking AP classes will not be seen as legitimate. There are plenty of people who have gone through terrible things and have still managed to take difficult classes. I am very very sorry for your loss, but it may not be fair, but it is the way it is.</p>
<p>I encourage you to apply anyway, you may be surprised.</p>
<p>toriart: it’s not that an Ivy league school won’t accept you without cause: it’s that you have to get an understanding of the types of kids you’re competing with.</p>
<p>Are you qualified? Maybe. Probably. But there are thousands upon thousands equally or more qualified – and perhaps more desirable. That’s just the numbers.</p>
<p>Quick update. I decided to stay in the honors mathematical course along with AP Euro. I received A’s as final semester grades in both courses. I basically left emotional issues home when leaving for school. I just wanted to post this update for anyone experiencing a similar situation, and encourage them to stay enrolled in difficult courses :D</p>
<p>See, life is all about resilience. You can’t let yourself get discouraged, just use your struggle as a motivation to succeed. Practice and persistence will reveal your true potential.
This quality will allow you much success in college and in life in general.</p>