<p>I plan on applying to Penn (College) next year, but I’m genuinely concerned about my courseload compared to other applicants. By graduation, I’ll have taken 3 AP classes and 7 honors classes. A lot of people I see on CC applied with WAY more APs/honors than that, so I’m freaking out. Also, I’m NOT a science or math person at all, and I don’t plan on majoring in anything math/science related, so I stayed away from any APs/honors in those subjects (except for one honors math course freshman year). I’ve only taken earth science, bio, chem and physics. Will this affect my chances drastically??</p>
<p>CC is not really what you should compare yourself to, set your own goals, and believe in yourself :) have confidence.</p>
<p>bio, chem, and physics....what else is there? if you've taken all three, you should be ok. I've taken all three at AP/IB level, and I heard that admissions reps are particularly fond of the "triplet science" load. Yea. Don't try to measure yourself up to CC...it'll drive you insane. Best of luck. :)</p>
<p>I hate to "wreck" your post, but I'm confused about subject tests since I'm a Junior. I've taken three, which included the writing, since the writing will be on the new, should I take another subject test??? The site doesn't say much about it.</p>
<p>Catch, how did you have time to take ap physics, chem, and bio? Didn't you need to take regular honors in each first?</p>
<p>back on topic</p>
<p>I guess it depends on how you are ranked at your school, and I can only speak about my school, but I have only taken 5 "level 2" non honors/ap classes (frosh english which is only level2, senior english, frosh history which is only lvl2, graphic design for my art req, and health which is only level 2), which is probably similar to the other acceptees from my school. </p>
<p>We need more information about the difference between regular and honors classes at your school</p>
<p>yeaaaah. o.0</p>
<p>It's my school. I took Bio Honors freshman year, AP Physics(tested in) and Chem Honors sophomore year, IB Chem and IB/AP Bio Junior Year, now finishing up IB Higher Level Chemistry Senior year. We don't have a "regular" first policy at my school: you need to talk to the teachers and then you have to get an okay from the teacher and your counselor.</p>
<p>hm. same here, bio and chem H frosh and soph yr. i just wanted AP Bio first and couldn't fit it in JR yr so they didn't give me any AP science. o well. too late now.</p>
<p>The thing is, you need to have certain averages to get into AP/honors classes in my school. Like, if you got less than a 90 something in bio, they don't let you into honors chem, etc. Most of my friends at other schools just sign up for the AP/honors classes that they want to take, and they get in, but at my school, it's really hard to be eligible for a lot of those classes. Also, sometimes a lot of people ARE eligible for an AP, but they only have a certain amount of spots so they resort to a lottery drawing... therefore a lot of eligible kids can't take that AP class.</p>
<p>I don't want Penn to think I was slacking off or anything because I only took 3 APs (2 of which I will be taking my senior year)... it's just because of eligibility requirements and class sizes, I haven't been able to take any others.</p>
<p>Hmm... let's assess it a little more. How many AP's are offered at your school? Which ones?</p>
<p>12... APUSH, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics B, AP Calc AB, AP Art History, AP Music Theory, AP English Lit, AP Spanish Language, AP Environmental Studies, AP Art Studio, AP Psych.</p>
<p>I'm taking APUSH, AP English Lit and AP Art History.</p>
<p>Ok, I think you should get some of the seniors this year to tell you what they think. But personally, I have high standards for myself and even though I'm absolutely hate western history (I prefer the Asian studies that I took last year more), I'll still be taking AP USHis and AP AmGovt because 1.) I like challenges (even if I don't like the course) and 2.) If the school offers it, it's an opportunity. </p>
<p>Now I do not know what standards you set for yourself, but I think that I am fairly accurate in saying that competitive colleges like applicants who take the most rigorous courses available. It is understandable for some students to take 1 or 2 APs because that's how many their school offers but I think that if your school offers all those APs, I'd say take a few more because you will be up against people who may have had 12 APs or more in their transcripts.</p>