Soon, I will be a Senior in High School being on the daily grind to put the cherry on top of my grades and extracurriclars for college applications. I’m taking on a few big projects both inside and outside my school, and am in numerous leadership positions.
My SAT scores are in need of serious improvement before I send them off to colleges so I plan to do extensive studying in the upcoming semester.
My class schedule is pretty standard with one wierd exception, I’m sharing two classes a period, Philosophy and AP US History. It was no mistake, my school is very small, therefore I’m seriously limited with what I can take and when I can take it. I was with my counselor, trying to make the most rigorous schedule podsible, and I was only able to get three AP classes including US. I have a 4.3 GPA, only took 3 so far in my high school career. I want to apply to schools like Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, Cornell, Pomona, etc., so I want to be the most competitive.
I am very invested in Philosophy, I started a club and a team around ethics and philosophy at my school, being one of the few pushing for the course. I wanted to take APUSH last year but it wasnt available. I already took regular history but I’m still interested in APUSH.
If I gut APUSH and keep philosophy, I can focus on boosting my SAT and work on my projects, but I miss a chance to boost GPA. Or I could keep APUSH and philosophy which could help my GPA if I succeed, but could be too much and separate me from other important activities. Above all I want to get a great SAT score (trying to go up about 120 points) and get those projects done because I think they will greatly help my application more than a slightly higher GPA. Any thoughts?
It doesn’t look as if you see school as an opportunity for learning and self-improvement, but as an object to be conquered on your way to some distant finish line. If you were my own kid I’d suggest the philosophy class which might be good for you. (In any case, If you don’t get into Stanford it isn’t going to be because of one class choice.)
Can you describe the nature of these projects you want to complete? They seem like time wasters that will steal valuable SAT study time.
How could you attempt to take two classes in one period? That sounds crazy and may be some kind of red flag with admissions officers?? Pick one and drop the other.
Please share your test scores so we can help you prioritize.
I’d pick Philosophy. First it’s part of what you want to major in (possibly) and will reinforce your academic profile. Second, it’s more unusual than APUSH and you already took us history last year. Third, your gpa is 4.3, at that point one class isn’t going to make a huge difference. Fourth, what’s the point of APUSH if you don’t have time to do a good job on your college applications?
Do not take two classes in one period – that is a recipe for disaster. Philosophy sounds like it makes sense for your interests. Speak to your guidance counselor. If you keep philosophy is he/she willing to: 1) check the box on your college recommendation saying you have taken the most rigorous schedule available at your HS (which does not mean the most APs)? The guidance counselor might also be note in the recommendation that APUSH was not offered last year and that you had a scheduling conflict this year. Also keep in mind that by the time senior year GPA is calculated you will already be in a college so I don’t think that should be a huge factor in your decision.
And unsolicited advice – the schools you listed are reaches for everyone. I hope you take the time to create an application list that includes reach, match and safety schools that appear affordable and that you will be happy to attend.
I’m going to try to answer a few of your questions.
I have a 1300 on my SAT and am aiming for a 1400+.
I want to apply to 15 schools (a lot I know), and yes I do have safety schools on that list.
Some of the projects I’m working include a teen news program for my city, an administration of a study packet for lower level promotion exams (I go to a military school), a competition program that further incorporates and spreads drill at my school and implanting recycle recepticals in our city’s newest park. On top of that I’m Link Crew Commissioner at my school, Seargent major S3 at the regimental level at my school, have founded and led a BSU and an Ethics/Philosphy Club and am Captain of our ethics team, revamped schools volleyball team and will be Captain of that team. I’ve got more but I’ll stop there.
It’s not that I see it as a stepping stone, I really want to take both, but I think I should only choose one so I can focus on other parts of my application.
The schools I’m applying to are mostly reach and out of reach schools. Stanford, Pomona, Yale, Columbia are a few that are really selective and UC Davis, UC San Diego, NYU, and UVA are some that are more of a reach.
A list full of reaches is a recipe for disaster. Find some matches and safeties and narrow down your reaches to your favorite three or four.
You need to get your SAT in range as soon as you can so you can finalize your list. You don’t get all of senior year to improve them. Did you write your essays this summer? It’s going to be tough to get schoolwork, projects, and essays done while prepping for the November or December SATs. Count all your essays and lay out the deadlines on a calendar.
For selective college admissions purposes, your senior year is over by January or so, when the last applications are due and your counselor uploads the midyear report. They’ll check your final transcript before enrolling you to make sure you didn’t completely slack off, but the decisions are otherwise made by March.
If you already took regular US History, don’t take APUSH.
“Do not take two classes in one period – that is a recipe for disaster.”
I agree. Calm down, take a reasonable course load, and you will get into multiple very good schools.
I do agree with doing SAT preparation and trying to get your scores up. SAT (or ACT) preparation is one of the best ways to significantly improve your applications with a relatively modest investment of time and effort.
APUSH and AP Euro are huge time commitments that to me are just not worth it unless you LOVE history. Actually I do love history and I still feel that they are not worth it. I would dump APUSH and concentrate on Philosophy. It will be plenty of work on its own, and does have a “I took what I was interested in” sort of individualistic look which I think is good.