As you can see, Tufts is ok with you not having 1 class from every area, as long as you have 5 core classes. I think your schedule looks good.
Keep everything and replace AP Stats with a “fun” class, yes, even a joke class. Considering the overall strength of your schedule, it will NOT be counted against you but rather as an indication you aren’t part of the “everything but the kitchen sink” approach-to-AP trend, which will be refreshing and will help you stand out by showing what you learn when you learn for fun (and colleges love kids who “learn stuff for fun”.)
That could be choir or photography = willingness to step out of comfort zone and explore/ Current Events = interested in the rest of the world, especially good if you have a debate/speech/MUN type EC/ shop, carpentry, home economics = willingness to explore different skills and step outside of typical HS boundaries, etc., etc.
What are the “joke” elective classes? There’s something to be said about taking such courses. Often they stretch the student in unexpected ways.
I tried to talk my daughter into taking Theater or Photo Dig her senior year. She ended up being a (Tech Ed) teacher aide for a period. It filled her schedule but provided a breather and she got to do some interesting (and boring) things.
So my advice to you is similar. Keep your current schedule (I like the Spanish practicum) but drop AP Stats and do something that is light but out of your comfort zone…
I liked the use of the word “wacky” in the Tufts link above. I think that, or “quirky,” is probably a better choice of words. Regardless, I agree that a quirky course is a viable option.
@MYOS1634 and @SlackerMomMD My school in particular doesn’t really offer much variety in class choices. Either the classes are challenging or not. The other electives (besides AP Bio which I am taking, AP Chem, AP Stats. and AP Environmental) are not stimulating. Quite honestly, I know taking a load of APs just to take them looks bad, but I genuinely feel as if I really can’t choose, you know?
I know that taking AP Stats might not be the best thing to do, but I really have no choice. I agree with all of your suggestions and sincerely appreciate them, but its difficult to choose courses that will benefit me. @lia1998 The tufts article in particular really opened my eyes with this, thank you.
Here are the electives that my school offers. Take a look and see if any seem interesting, because none do (to me, at least.) They won’t benefit me, as I see it.
-AP Biology (am taking)
-AP Chemistry (bad teacher; not risking a 2)
-AP Environmental Science (bad teacher; not risking a 2)
-AP Statistics
-AP Art Studio 2D (can’t draw for my life lolol)
-Dry Media Art Studio
-Modern Novel (its a very easy English class)
-Interior Design (not interested)
-Applied Botany
-Modern Physics
-Forensic Science (already took Sophomore year, got an A)
-Introduction to Law
-21st Century History
-Economics
-Atlantic History (its a new class so I know nothing about it)
-Anthropology
-Personal Trainer (for those who want to go into Sports Medicine and training and such)
-Financial Management
-A Capella
-Orchestra
I’m not really into singing or playing instruments all that much, and feel that not taking challenging courses will hurt me. You always hear from GCs and Admissions Officers to “challenge yourself within the context of your high school.”
In addition, I am involved in some constant ECs. I am a Student-Patient Liaison volunteer at my local hospital, an NHS Tutor for Math, English, and Science, and I teach hymns and serve at my church almost every weekend, and am passionate about it.
@SlackerMomMD Since I’m assuming you are a Physician (from your username), did you encourage your daughter to undertake medicine and take hard courses as well? Will courses like these help me in the future?
since you havent had any physics so far [ unless I miss read your posts] , why not modern physics?
You WILL have to take a year of college Physics classes ,if you stay on the premed tract, and if you havent had any physics before it could be really hard to get a good grade,
@menloparkmom No you’re right, I didn’t take any physics before. Thing is though, Modern Physics deals with chaos theory and fluid dynamics, and on top of that, its not even a lab science. The course isn’t your classic Physics class, and doesn’t really pertain to the things I’ll do in College and what’s on the MCAT.
I understand where your notion is coming from though.
I dont think the fact that modern physics is not a lab class is reason enough to not consider it.
unless it is designed only for students who have taken a introductory physics class already.
ANY kind of physics class is going to be better for you than no physics at all.
I agree- any kind of physics class will be better than not having taken any.
Take the classes you want. Simple as that.
That Financial Management class on your list up there – take it if you end up considering any of those. If it’s anything like the personal finance class I took last year, you’ll be glad you did, because you learn about life things they don’t normally teach you in school, like how to do your taxes, budgeting, insurance, how credit cards can be evil, investing, etc. It’s not difficult or rigorous by any means but it helped me /so/ much.