<p>New to site--please excuse the "rookie" question. Where do I look on this site for advice for my sophomore son for planning his course work for his junior year in high school? Seems to me that this will be the most important year for the college admissions people to evaluate. I'd like for my son to start thinking and planning now for next year. Thanks!</p>
<p>I don't know if there is any place that deal with that directly, but if you post what your son has taken the last two years, you will get some feedback. It is smart that you are thinking to Junior year, although we are drilled at our school that F & S years are the most important because they lay the ground work for J & Sen Year. If your son has not prepared by taking the Pre-Req for the harder more "resume friendly" course work, he can't go back now. Post what he has taken and you will get feedback.</p>
<p>Generally colleges look for a student that takes the most aggressive classes that are available at his school, particularly in the area of the proposed major. Selective colleges want to see at least 5 classes taught at the AP level (whether or not they are called "AP" or "IB"), with at least 2 underway during Junior year. </p>
<p>But Flunking (getting Cs) is not good either. Find a balance, and keep in mind that there are over 4000 colleges; probably any 30 of which would be just fine.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a junior next year. I am planning to take 3 AP classes and self-studying 1 more. So toadstool, when you say "classes taught at the AP level", is the one AP I am self-studying included?</p>
<p>Since when is C flunking? Sure they're not pretty, but it's not like he'll reach a point-of-no return if he gets a C...</p>
<p>I would not call C's in an AP/IB class flunking at all. It's equivalent to a B in a normal class.</p>
<p>It honestly depends on exam scores. A C in an AP class coupled with a 5 on the exam (and a low class average rank) show that the student obviously had hell for a teacher, but also that he or she still learned the subject matter very well to get a 5. </p>
<p>The godliest thing you want to have is an "A" in an AP course, a 5 on the exam, and a very low class rank for that course you took. This will make colleges **** bricks.</p>
<p>Um, how could you have "a very low class rank for that course you took."</p>
<p>You don't get ranked in each course.</p>
<p>DC Parent- A thread post in this section (College Admissions) will definitiely bring responses. Just make sure to give enough background information (Fresh. and Soph. courses, average GPA) and people will help out. </p>
<p>Good Luck! :)</p>
<p>I meant low class rank as in the other students got B's and C's, but out of them you got an A.</p>
<p>Oh, yea, that'd be pretty godly. Of course, colleges don't see other students grades. But still: godly.</p>
<p>Colleges don't see class rank in individual classes? I thought they did...</p>
<p>
[quote]
It honestly depends on exam scores. A C in an AP class coupled with a 5 on the exam (and a low class average rank) show that the student obviously had hell for a teacher, but also that he or she still learned the subject matter very well to get a 5.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree, but it could also mean you slacked off all year, and used your avove avg brain to study for two weeks straight 7 hours a day before the AP exam, in which case it shows laziness, and having to push at the last minute. My friend did this.</p>
<p>I've been told to always risk the honors or AP class if you can get a "B", but not a "C" or even B-. </p>
<p>I've found that CC refers to selective schools as the top 30 or so..there are many more selective schools that you don't need a gazillion AP or even honors courses, just solid GPA and SATs.</p>
<p>Well, with the competitiveness of college admission these days, tell your son take as many AP classes as he can during junior and senior year as long as he or you believe that he can handle them. Make sure your son participates in ECs. And most importantly for next spring, get him ACT/ACT prep classes.</p>
<p>thank you so much for the advice---I will post his fresh/soph classes , gpa and what he plans to take next year</p>
<p>sorry to interrupt, but rather than starting a new thread, i figured that since i have the exact same question i would just post here.</p>
<p>my current GPA is about a 4.5...</p>
<p>Freshman Schedule:
English 11
Highlights of Western Civilization
Justice in American (civics course)
Biology 21
Geometry 21
Spanish 31
Concert Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble</p>
<p>Sophomore Schedule:
English 21
Modern Global Studies 21
Chemistry 31
Alegebra 31
Spanish 41
Concert Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble</p>
<p>Tentative Junior Year Schedule:
AP American Studies (APUSH + AP Lang. and Comp.)
Physics 41
Precalculus 41
Spanish 51
Symphonic Orchestra
Music Theory I + II
Chamber Orchestra
Jazz Ensemble</p>
<p>*At my school, the classes are leveled by the first number indicating the "year" that the class corresponds with (1=freshman, 2=sophomore, etc.) and the second number indicatives the difficulty of the course (1=honors, 2=standard).</p>
<p>Any suggestions/comments are welcome...</p>