Our school is currently in the middle of finalizing senior year schedules. By the end of junior year I will have completed 7 AP classes: AP Gov (5), AP Bio (3), AP Lang (5), AP Macro (5), AP Physics C, AP Calc BC, and AP Lit.
I have a 4.325 weighted GPA (4.37 by end of junior year), a 34 ACT (will improve score in June), and I haven’t taken the SAT but I have a 1490 out of 1520 on my PSAT (likely NMSF) so I’m predicting mid to high 1500s when I take it in April. My ECs are good but nothing earth-shattering or super duper impressive.
I have AP Spanish, AP Psych, AP Stats, AP Chem, orchestra and an English course currently for next year, for a total of 11 APs.
How would replacing AP Stats with a dual enrollment multivariable calculus course affect my chances of being admitted to top schools? It would likely require a double block so I’d have to drop AP Stats and another course (even though I want to keep all my current courses!). The schedule at my local college isn’t final so I might miss some extracurriculars like student government.
To me, it seems like dual enrolling won’t be worth it, but I’m just here to see what you all think because if it could make or break admissions I want to try to make it work. Thanks.
I don’t think the change to the dual enrollment course would make or break any admissions decision. It looks like you have a rigorous courseload as is.
Any particular reason why you are taking the test again? 34 is a top notch score and getting to a 35 or 36 will not increase your chances. Frankly, you should focus your energy on the SAT if you really want to be a NMF.
I don’t see a need to dual enroll. It will just be a drain in maintaining high grades in your other classes.
@Lindagaf 8 times as many students earn a 34 compared to a 36 so I think a 36 has more weight. I scored a 34 without any preparation. If I’m aiming for top schools I should work to perfect as much as my app as possible. I strongly believe I can earn a 35 or 36 with just a little bit of prep. I only need an SAT score high enough to confirm my PSAT, score so I should be fine there.
Anway, right now I am SAT prepping until the April test date and then after AP exams I will be focusing on SAT IIs and the ACT in the month between May and the June test date. Now I am leaning towards not dual enrolling. Thanks.
I have to agree with Lindagaf. A 34 is no different than a 35 or 36 at a top school. You’d just be wasting time you could be putting into something else, like EC’s.
If it were just a one for one swap between AP statistics and college multivariable calculus, the latter would be more useful if you go into engineering, physical science, math, statistics, or (pre-PhD or quantitative) economics in terms of your college major. However, if you do not need or intend to take any more math or statistics in college, then knowledge of statistics at the AP statistics level may be more useful in general.
However, if multivariable calculus would displace other things in addition to AP statistics, then the choice becomes less obvious (in the case where it would more useful).
OP, use your time wisely. Harvard, for example, only rates test scores as “considered”. If your ECs aren’t that earth-shattering, and you are potentially aiming for a college with a 95% rejection rate, and your test score is already outstanding, are you sure prepping for yet another test is the best use of time? Those colleges aren’t looking for perfection, as many a perfect rejected applicant can attest.
@Postmodern , I have the most recent ACT prep guide in front of me. It says “the raw score is converted to a scaled score to enhance score interpretation and allow comparability across different forms.” Hope that answers your question:-)