Is this really enough?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>So basically, I'm trying to get into those top schools like Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc.</p>

<p>Am I doing enough?
I'm a Freshman right now.</p>

<p>4-year plan:</p>

<p>9th grade:
Honors biology
Honors Algebra 3-4
Honors english
Spanish 5-6
PE
Health/Digital Media 1</p>

<p>10th grade:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP European Civilization
AP Calculus AB
AP Spanish
Honors Humanities</p>

<p>11th grade:
AP Physics C Mechanics
AP Calculus BC
AP United States History
AP Art History
AP Statistics
AP English Language</p>

<p>12th grade:
AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism
AP English Literature
AP Environmental Science
AP US Government and Politics
A different school in my area offers a College level Calculus CD (called Calc 3) class, so I'll be taking that
TA </p>

<p>The TA is because there aren't any more AP classes that my school offers. They are talking about adding an AP Psychology, so if they do, then TA will be replaced with AP Psychology. Any more AP that they offer I will take... </p>

<p>Somewhere in 11th or 12th grade I will be taking the SAT in Hebrew (I'm a native speaker. I will probably study through a class or with my parents in order to get my skills up to par with what the exam requires).
I am going to do a summer SAT prep class, and I will be retaking it until I get 2350 + </p>

<p>Any AP's that I can't take that are worth self-studying for?
The other ones (that aren't languages - I don't think I could learn a language just for the AP Exam, nor that I would want to) are:</p>

<p>Computer Science A
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Comparative Government and Politics
Human Geography
Physics B
World History
Psychology
Spanish Literature
Is Spanish Literature difficult?</p>

<p>I think I could self-study World History, Human Geography, and Comparative Government and Politics (I'm very good at memorization), and Physics B (especially after Physics C both years. If anyone has taken both exams, could you tell me which is harder/will I be prepared for Physics B after I take one or two years of Physics C?) Could you tell me which AP's are easy enough to self-study for?</p>

<p>I swim competitively and I'm on varsity as a freshman. During the year, I swim on a club, and then I swim for my high school during the season. Next year, I am going to stop swimming for a season and do water polo. I have a secured water polo varsity position because those who are on varsity swim are automatically on varsity water polo.</p>

<p>I am part of:</p>

<p>Key Club
Science Olympiad
Academic League
Quiz Bowl (AL and QB are jeopardy-like academic trivia games. QB is nation-wide, AL is just in my area)
Volunteer at synagogue
California Scholarship Foundation
in 11th grade I can start NHS, National Honors Society</p>

<p>During the summer, I will be either interning or traveling abroad to study in England - I haven't decided yet. I plan on doing a program or interning / studying abroad throughout my summers. If I make it, then next year there is a high-school age Junior Olympics held in Israel which I will go to if I'm good enough.</p>

<p>If I maintain all A's and actively participate in those clubs and secure officer positions in a few of them, and keep swimming, and get 4's and mostly 5's on my AP Exams, coupled with an awesome interview and essay and letter of recommendation, will I have a good chance for the Ivy League schools?</p>

<p>Thanks for those of you who have read the whole post!</p>

<p>Thanks in advance and all help is appreciated :)</p>

2

<p>you’re missing a few AP’s</p>

3

<p>No you’ll end up going to Community College. I’m sorry.</p>

<p>Both parts of Physics C are way more difficult than Physics B. What do you plan on going into anyway?</p>

<p>I have to say, this is a VERY rigorous schedule, especially during Sophomore year, and take care on that note.</p>

<p>Another note, Top University admissions are crapshoots. It’s hard to determine, but your schedule does have the rigor factor.</p>

4

<p>-Facepalm-</p>

5

<p>Just a note, you’re going to die.</p>

6

<p>I plan on going into Engineering or Medicine. Something to do with math or science. I know it’s rigorous but I think I can handle it. Most of the teachers at my school post the whole week’s homework during the weekend (so on Saturday and Sunday I already know what’s due on Tuesday or Wednesday), so most of my homework is done on the weekends to free up time for my activities.
@MIThopeful16, I know, it’s my hardest year. I have all A’s right now and I have a bunch of free time. </p>

<p>Thanks for everyone who has replied so far!</p>

7

<p>Engineering or medicine… alright. You have good courses for those fields. </p>

<p>I may also suggest Computer Science A.</p>

8

<p>you’re a freshman. stop thinking about college and enjoy yourself.</p>

9

<p>my school doesn’t offer Computer Science A. From browsing these forums I hear that it has a reputation of being easy… Would it be good to try and self-study it and take the AP Test?</p>

<p>@Nervous Breakdown, I’m in high school, i need to start thinking about these things. if i dont get into the right classes now then i wont be in the right classes next year, year after, etc.</p>

10

<p>Please stop thinking about college until at least your sophomore year. Just do what you love. Makes for less stress and a happier life. Trust me, it’s worth it. I did what I love - history and government - and I have a fine application to “top colleges” for what it’s worth. Doing activities just to get into colleges won’t get you in.</p>

11

<p>i only do activities that i enjoy, but i dont see a point in taking a non-AP class. and what if i actually enjoy computer science and through taking that test i come to discover a passion for it?</p>

12

<p>I am in a very similar situation to you, except I’m a sophomore, and am self studying 9 AP’s this year, but a key difference is that when you take it in class you are stuck with the nuances like studying for tests, writing long essays and reports, and also while some AP’s like Comparitive Government only take 2 months to self study, it would be a year’s worth of circullum (spel)</p>

<p>Don’t take Physics B AFTER you take Physics C, that’s outright malicious resume padding, and I am taking SAT 2 Math 2, Calc BC this year, that means I will never take Calc AB or SAT 2 one, since I obviously exceeded well beyond that level. </p>

<p>Also, they’d rather see you take AP’s that are your passion, and you clearly don’t care for most of them on the list, they’d rather see you take 5 AP’s and then do college preparatory work, in the same area, e.g. if I am done with Chemistry they;d like to see me continue organic chemistry on my own (college level)</p>

<p>Anyone and many just hoard on AP’s which is a problem. </p>

<p>and 2, don’t worry too much about 3 years ahead of you, have an idea, but you’ll do what you like as you, worry about this year, and after freshman year you’ll see if you like it or not, you have no position to say whether you’ll enjoy calculus (and physics as result), because nothing in your past experience will be anything similar to what they do, you may love it, no one here including you knows.</p>

13

<p>You do realize you’ll end up being a completely anti-social person with absolutely no life? I mean, that came out a lot harsher than I meant, but seriously, with that schedule, good luck trying to breathe.
Don’t worry too much right now. But yes, this is way more than enough…</p>

14

<p>[Cal</a> Newport – Author: How to Be a High School Superstar, How to Become a Straight-A Student, How to Win at College](<a href=“http://www.calnewport.com/books/howtowin.html]Cal”>Cal Newport, New York Times Bestselling Author of Seven Books)</p>

15

<p>FRESHMAN!!!</p>

<p>Look man, i too was a freshy and, i will tell you that your 9th grade schedule is child’s play compared to what you’re planning to take. I took AP human in 9th grade and i can tell you that it’s alot harder than an honors class. I can tell you’re one of those kids that wants to go to Harvard not because you want to be a scholar but because you think it will look good on your diploma. Kid you’re going to ruin your life and alienate yourself from your friends if you go down this path and, if you really want to go to med school, you don’t have to go to an ivy league. My cousin went to UGA and now he’s a surgeon. Alas, it’s your choice and i don’t care if you want to stress yourself beyond belief. </p>

<p>Take the advice from someone who’s experienced it.</p>

16

<p>aww you’re only in ninth grade kiddo, enjoy it! Also, you can’t really accurately project your grades for the next 3 years so a person can not exactly make an educated guess about your possiblee chances</p>

17

<p>Only on CC</p>

18

<p>" i will tell you that your 9th grade schedule is child’s play compared to what you’re planning to take."</p>

<p>What?</p>

19

<p>Good luck.</p>

20

<p>^^ Gosh you’re an idiot. It’s a metaphor look it up. </p>

<p>Look, all i’m saying is that AP classes are 10x harder than regular advanced classes. I also resent the fact that you took adv. biology. (you did it since it would look good on a college resume) I opted down and stuck with advanced physics which is way more interesting than bio. </p>

<p>Only on CC</p>