<p>Hi, thanks for your help in advanced. I am a rising junior in a Canadian high school, and in our school board, most schools offer pre AP courses in grade 11 then actual AP courses in grade 12. I'd like to try to get into an Ivy league school, but I'm reading everywhere that at least 6 AP courses are recommended.
The problem is I really can't take more than one AP during junior year because the only course that lines up in the way where I can take the pre AP first semester, then grade 12 AP second semester is English, and all other subjects either have the grade 12 AP course first semester (won't be able to take the prerequisite first) or the prerequisite grade 11 course is in semester 2.
At best, I'd be able to take 2 AP sciences, 2 AP math, and AP economics. That would be 1 AP exam before applications, and 5 (at the very most, and only if the schedule fits. and they are definitely not all taking place before applications)
Will this really hurt my chances? I have heard that universities take into account limitations due to what your school offers, but I don't know how accurate that is or if it even applies to the Ivy schools.
Also, aside from my grade 10 English mark, I have gotten an A in everything, so would it be wise to retake it (remedial summer class) since I've heard American schools are heavy on GPAs?
And should I be taking AP prep classes outside of class? They cost a lot and they don't seem to be worth it to me, what do you think?
Any help would be highly appreciated, thanks!</p>
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<p>According to just about all sources, admissions committees look at what classes you have taken in the context of what your school offers. So I would not worry about it. If you are concerned, discuss your aspirations with your GC and ask him/her to make it clear that you have taken the most advanced courses available to you. What they want to see is evidence that you have challenged yourself academically. There are many ways to do so other than by taking APs.</p>
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<p>No, it would not be wise to retake a HS course, unless you failed it. It sounds like your grades are fine.</p>
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<p>No, especially since the results of the AP exams you take senior year will not matter to admissions, there are much better things to do with your time and money.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have the kind of grades you need for elite admissions. Now you need excellent SATs and SATIIs, ECs, essays, and recommendations, and something that makes you stand out.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice!
If I can ask you one more thing - I had some timetable changes today and now I am taking:
-gr 12 Canadian and World Studies (geography)
-gr 12 AP Economics
-gr 11 Accounting
-gr 11 pre AP English
Then semester 2:
-pre AP biology
-gr 12 AP English
-pre AP functions
-French
and my other 2 science in night school because they won’t fit with the grade 12 AP courses added.
I initially wanted to take the history course (gr 11) but it is only available during the gr 12 AP Economics time slot and it is full. I like history, but I also remember one or more Ivy Leagues looking for 4 years of history courses, is this the case and should I take the grade 11 World History instead of the grade 12 AP Economics should a spot open up? I appreciate the help, thanks!</p>
<p>In general, all highly selective colleges prefer to see four years each of the typical HS curriculum: math, science, Eng, history, foreign language. So try to schedule accordingly.</p>
<p>btw: Accounting is a vocational-style class, and is not much value for a liberal arts college like Dartmouth. AP Econ, is a so-called, AP Lite.</p>
<p>I agree with bluebayou on all counts. I don’t know what is available to you, but I would recommend 4 years of English, 3 or 4 years of History, 4 or more years of a language, math through calculus, the full sequence of sciences (Bio, Chem, and Physics), all taken at the highest level available, as the basic schedule for the most selective schools in the US. If you can go beyond this, so much the better.</p>
<p>So do you recommend dropping Accounting and taking grade 11 History online instead or dropping AP Economics and taking grade 11 History in school? I’d like to drop Accounting because it’s easy and boring but the only other courses are Law or Philosophy, which do you think I should take?
As for math, I won’t be able to take two maths in grade 11 if I want them to the AP level because the pre AP requisite is in semester two. I could take the regular U course and have grade 12 functions by the end of the year but no AP. And if I do take AP, I won’t have AP calculus until after applications because AP functions is a prerequisite that I can’t take until semester one of senior year.</p>
<p>This is too confusing for me. :)</p>
<p>You can imagine the headache I have lol</p>