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<p>I, too, am interested in knowing of this “overachieving barrier”</p>
<p>Some of the people on this thread are absurd. As far as academics, just get onto the advanced track for your high school and do well in all of your classes. If you aren’t capable of all advanced classes, drop down in a few subjects. Honestly, I don’t think that any colleges will care whether you’ve reached Calc BC by sophomore year, I won’t even reach it by my senior year. Fill your elective spots with things that you enjoy and honestly think will benefit you in some way. What will ultimately affect what college you get into (assuming your grades/SATs are in the schools’ ranges) will be your ECs. Start doing something completely unique and learn to do it amazingly. It can be totally unrelated to your intended major, it doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>And don’t forget to have fun, it’s only high school, and you’re only a freshman. It’s not too soon to start planning ahead, but it’s too soon to start obsessing. THAT is why some people, including me, recommend that people stay off this site until they are juniors. College Confidential is the quickest route to intense college-related stress, and freshman year is too early for that.</p>
<p>Wimpy math class. 
I took precalc in 9th. :D</p>
<p>^and yet you can’t get above 800 on SAT math. </p>
<p>There is a CC overachieving barrier, but… </p>
<p>In theory: It can not be reached. Ever. Because if it were attained, then the laws explaining the universe would be broken. Kinda like absolute zero. You can get close, but never attain it. But when the universe was still defining its laws (aka when CC first came into existence) then it was reached. Because then there was always someone better. </p>
<p>In practice: it still will never be reached, because there are amazing people who have set precedents here. IMO? CC has them. Presidential scholar? Pff. 100 people get that- nothing special for CC. Ten AP classes in a year? It’s been done. Emmy? No one cares. Highest IQ? Unlike someone a couple years back with a slightly lower IQ, you’ve never been laid. </p>
<p>I think there is still plenty of room for expansion of CC demographics in the other direction. There is no limit to stupidity.</p>
<p>Your classes sound fine but you really should do something so that you’re in calculus by 11th grade. In our school we did adv. geo in one semester and adv. Alg2 in the second semester of 9th grade, then adv. pre-calc 10th grade. Talk to your guidance counselor, and if you can’t figure it out with your school, take a class over the summer.
The rest of your classes are okay, try to pick up APs next year.
It’s your freshman year, relax, have fun, the real stress kick in until later :)</p>
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<p>Since every school is different, it’s folly to try to compare 2 like that. I took BC Calc in 10th grade - does this mean you should have found a way to have done so?</p>
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<p>Eh, I don’t really think about it. The SAT math is based completely on luck… A chimpanzee could get an 800 on the test with a little bit of luck. Someone who comes out of a coma after 50 years can get an 800. A person who is in a vegetative state can get an 800. It doesn’t mean anything, honestly.</p>
<p>Your classes suck, try this:
Geometry -> AP Calc BC
Spanish II -> AP Spanish
Advanced English -> AP English Lit
PE 9 -> W T F who takes PE, tell your gym teacher to shove it
Biology -> AP Biology
Photography (Elective) - > AP Studio Art</p>
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<p>You forgot the ‘r’ and ‘s’. Well anyway, no electives are not important, if you end up taking electives and get a B or A- you’re just end up making a thread two years from now b1tching about how that grade brought down your GPA and are now ranked third or even sal and how everyone above you fails at life</p>
<p>^^Haha, I hope you are joking smilemyonly about the schedule. You’re right though about the electives.</p>
<p>smilemyonly, that’s hilarious, especially
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<p>I whole heartedly agree with smilemyonly.</p>
<p>Make sure your sophomore schedule is twice as rigorous as that.</p>
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<p>story of many hsl posters’ lives</p>
<p>I’ll assume your purpose in posting this is to get into a good college. If that is the case, I can safely say that you can disregard several posts on this thread.</p>
<p>Math. Classes. All of this stuff is based on your school. At my school, intense sophomores take 4 APs. So I did that. I will, therefore, ultimately get my “most rigorous schedule” box checked. If it takes you 1 AP to get that checked, kudos to you. If it takes 6 – ouch. Do what is necessary. Don’t be afraid to push yourself; this is the beauty of college applications. Had I never known that leadership positions, commitment to various facets of life and winning awards in things I am passionate about, I would never have done all the things I did in high school. Really put yourself out there and do the things you want to do. Just try to do them well and beyond the ability of others – that is what colleges are looking for. So what if you’re not in Multivariable Calculus/Calc III? I really doubt the statements made in this thread are even true. “Most” people who make HYPS have taken Calc III? It’s certainly not impossible but that’s beside the point. If what you have is Pre-Calculus as the hardest class anyone in your school can get to, then that’s just the case. There’s a reason SATs don’t test Calculus. Because you cannot be expected to take college-level courses while in high school. </p>
<p>Look. Schools that have emphasis on numbers (GPA, SAT, etc.) are relatively easy to get into. You keep your grades up with the top kids in your graduating class; you get a good SAT score. BAMBAMSHAZAM. You’re in. But if you’re looking into the Ivies and other schools of such an echelon, then the point is having great grades and hard classes (compared to the people around you) and being awesome in whatever extra-curriculars you participate in. The secret isn’t to take Calc III, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations though doing so would not hurt. Especially when they are out of your reach. It is much easier for colleges to just pick a winner in whatever field than guess at how good you are because you got some A’s in some community college classes that anyone can eventually do anyways. Unless you’re like 12 and taking Multivariable, it’s really not all that special. </p>
<p>Take this year and relax. Digest what I’ve said and adjust your ECs and grades starting in 10th grade if you care about college so much. It only really counts then, anyway. That is all the practical knowledge I’ve assembled in the last 2 years. Good luck.</p>
<p>arya, I hope you can tell the difference between who’s ■■■■■■■■ and who’s not here … don’t be offended, it’s just CC humor. :P</p>
<p>Anyways I think your schedule looks fine. Personally I didn’t take any AP classes my Freshman year… I didn’t even know CC existed … and I’m doing fine. Freshman year is supposed to be the year where you try out different classes and figure out which area you like the best. So don’t worry about taking a bajillion AP classes or even self studying for any (you’ll probably just end up not doing very well) Instead enjoy what you’re taking- if you decide you love math, then take an extra class over the summer to be ahead one step by soph year. If you like English, then take an extra english class next summer to be in an AP Lit/Lang class soph year.
Your schedule looks fine, so calm down.</p>
<p>^I disagree. Self study 3-8 APs, it’ll do you good to get experienced with higher level coursework, since most freshman classes are jokes.</p>
<p>Focus on your ECs and building leadership positions/working on your passion, self study 3-8 APs and do homework in your free time, do this while taking 6 APs freshman year. Don’t let your GPA fall below 3.9</p>
<p>Also, don’t join NHS for whatever reason except to become president. Don’t join a club unless you plan on becoming President/Board chair/etc. If it is your passion, start an organization outside of school and recruit students/members nationally instead of just from your school.</p>
<p>I also suggest starting a nonprofit and/or business, it takes some time to get that stuff started, especially in this recession.</p>
<p>You’re lucky to have such advice so early in your high school career.
I would also highly suggest studying for one of the olympiads, making Finals/International sophomore year is a good thing.</p>
<p>Perhaps work on a science research project as a hobby, make sure it wins top 5% at ISEF.</p>
<p>Note that these are only extremely basic things that can be done freshman year.
Junior/Sophomore year is the time to win top 10 awards nationally/internationally/follow your passion extensively.</p>
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<p>yea i hope arya does too bc i was pretty serious. i took 7 APs freshman year and self studied for 4. im such a freaking genius.</p>