English- placed into English Honors
Math- placed into Precalculus Honors
Science- Physics (required)
History- placed into Rhetoric
Religion- Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (required)
Foundations Visual Art
Intro to Computer Science elective
How are your classes…for what?
If these make you on track to graduate HS with all,your required courses…fine.
No foreign language?
Sorry, Foreign Language: Spanish 1
I’m just asking if these classes are good as a freshmen and on par for a top college
Seems reasonable (though "rhetoric: does not seem like “history”, though it should be an academic course more like another English course that is slightly off the beaten track of literary analysis). Looks like you are at a religious school with required religion courses. Presumably, you will follow these courses with:
- English: 3 more years
- Math: calculus... will you then take more advanced math at a local college?
- Science: biology and chemistry
- History and social studies: 2-3 more years (preferably 3 more years for the most selective colleges)
- Spanish: through level 3-4 (preferably level 4 for the most selective colleges)
- more academic electives
If you want to apply to the most selective colleges, choose the more rigorous options (e.g. honors, AP, as offered) when you can. The most selective colleges prefer applicants who earn A grades in the hard courses.
So far, you are on track for admission for the following colleges:
Pace University
Seton Hall University
University of Texas Arlington
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Northridge
Cal State Bakersfield
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
High match:
Arizona State University
Oregon State University
Temple University
Low reach:
Penn State
Ohio State
High reach:
St. Olaf College
Smith
Vassar
Hamilton
Pomona
Claremont McKenna
Grinnell
Middlebury
Williams
Cornell
@Studious99: How in the world can you say that? You have no idea of his grades or other activities.
Right now there is nothing in the OP’s schedule that precludes the most selective colleges in the country. He’s at least two years advanced from the standard math track. He(or she) is taking honors classes. The vast majority of the high schools in the country don’t offer AP classes to freshmen. He’s fine.
If a kid is very good in math and science, and prefers to spend his time doing these courses, is it necessary for them to take AP history or english classes if they hope to have a shot at “top colleges”? Is it ok to take honors instead of the AP version?
Short answer is “It depends.” Colleges don’t always care what a student “prefers” and certainly if other applicants from the HS present applications with a more balanced schedule, the STEM-focused kid may be at a disadvantage. Additionally, some AP courses have other benefits. AP English Language helps the student become a more effective writer, which will be invaluable when writing college admissions essays, not to mention a key life skill.
On the flip side, no student needs to take every single AP that a school offers, either. As long as the schedule is balanced across core subjects and the GC rates it as “most rigorous,” then in many instances, opting for an honors class instead of an AP makes sense.
Your classes are looking great.
Seems you want to show everyone what an impressive (oppressive?) workload you’re carrying as a freshman. Mission accomplished.
They’re good. Rhetoric isn’t really history though.
Rhetoric is English (speech and communication). Ask what History class you could take instead or in addition to that schedule. Does your school offer Spanish 1H? Otherwise, you’re fine.
No AP’s or Spanish 1 Honors are offered.