I am a currently a Sophomore in high school with a 4.0 GPA, and hopefully by the end of this year it will be a 4.2. Is this a good enough GPA? I know that it is not horrible, but being surrounded by some students with a 4.2 coming out of Freshman year is intimidating. I attend a competitive high school where class rank is not released, but i’d see myself atleast in the Top 8-10%. This year I am taking AP US History I, Honors English, Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology, Spanish CP and Pre-Calc CP. My extracurriculars include lacrosse, debate team, Officer of a domestic violence club (2nd largest club at my school), Founder/President of a human rights organization at school consisting of over 80 members, awards in Interscholastic tournaments, and 120 volunteer hours.
For Junior year I plan on taking:
AP Environmental Science
AP Macroeconomics
AP United States History (its a 2 year course)
Honors English
Honors Organic Chemistry
Honors Spanish 3
Calculus CP (i have maintained A’s in math but it is not my best subject so I am waiting until senior year to take Calc AB or BC…)
Although I am taking advanced classes, does it look bad that some of My APs are considered on the easier side (such as Enviro)? I go to a competitive highschool where some kids are going to take 5 AP’s but I know I dont have time to maintain straight A’s with 5 APs. Should I be taking more than 3 APs, and switch organic chemistry for an AP class like Psych or Microeconomics? I am worried that my courses may not look competitive enough especially since its junior year, but I do not know what colleges are exactly looking for in regards to how many APs/what kind of APs a student should be taking.
Lastly, I want to major in biology and be Pre-Med at schools like Princeton, UCLA, and BC. Would they frown upon my decision of taking AP Bio as a senior and not junior? Would it also be detrimental to my application if I took Physics over the summer and not during the schoolyear? It is not a mandatory class at my school however I feel like my application as a science major will suffer from having no physics.
Please let me know ASAP what changes I should make to my junior year schedule and if it is competitive enough! any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Nowhere near heavy enough. I would add a weights class. Do you even lift bro?
But seriously, it looks fine. You are the best judge of your own abilities, so don’t try to take a course load you can’t handle to impress colleges. The only thing I might suggest is switching out OChem for a physics class if you haven’t taken one yet. I would say you will be fine with taking AP Bio senior year.
I’m a current junior, and I’m also looking into pre-med etc, but not on the level you’re aiming for. I was actually signed up for 5-6 AP classes, but I cut it down to 3 before the start of the year, so I could work in some EC’s around my job.
It seems that you are a pretty busy guyal, with a lot going on in and out of school. I’m sure if you keep everything up, you’ll have a shot at what you want… But I think you may be overthinking a little (takes a thief to catch a thief): I don’t know how Princeton and Co. assess applicants, but I’m sure 1 or 2 extra AP classes won’t significantly affect your odds, and vice versa.
On the other hand, you could probably use the freed-up homework time to explore your passions (ECs). For example, I’m taking an EMT course at my local community college (It’s a night class, and I wouldn’t have been able to had I kept my schedule). It’s loads of fun, and I definitely think I made the right choice.
I agree with @Dax123 here. I think the consensus here is that colleges want to see motivated, talented, students. Pick something that will fit your desire to work/ability to handle the work, and enjoy the last few years of freedom
@cloudy1001 You appear to be a very motivated person and it is good you recognize where your tipping point might be and not push yourself to take more APs than you think you can handle.
When my son asked me to help him with his junior year schedule, my suggestion to him was to put it all on the line junior year. Meaning, challenge yourself junior year, without pushing yourself over the edge, of course. My rationale for this is because when you apply to colleges EA, they will see your grades through junior year. They will receive a list of classes you take senior year but they have no grades to associate with them. They can see if you are taking a course in each of the 5 subject areas and move on. When you apply to schools RD, the transcript and mid-year report will be sent which basically means the schools will probably get how you are doing at the end of mid-terms and the grade for the end of the semester (some close variation of this depending on whether you are on a trimester or semester schedule).
Next thing to consider is fall of senior year will have the added activity of college apps. To put forth your best app, it will be time consuming. If math is one you need to focus extra attention on, I would consider taking Calc AB junior year. Or consider taking it over the summer rather than taking physics over the summer? That way you can focus all of your attention on the one class? Will the courses you take over the summer appear on your transcript? Where were you thinking of taking the physics class? Many colleges want to see bio, chem and physics. AP Enviro is considered an easy AP so I would take physics in lieu of AP Enviro. Pre-med students usually don’t have AP Enviro on their transcript because of the other options of taking higher level bio or chem. Does your school have a higher level bio or chem they offer after the introductory/ standard course?
With regard to APUSH, does your school require the 2 years for graduation? I’m assuming that one year satisfies your graduation requirement? I’d consider not taking the second year (you aren’t interested in history as a college major) and you are going to take AP Econ and take something that puts you out of your comfort zone such as Calc AB.
Do not concern yourself with what other students at your school are doing. Lacrosse and Debate are very time consuming ECs. You want your courses to be those that are required and others that you are interested in. Don’t shove courses into your schedule to try to play the AP numbers game.
Does your school college counselor go over schedules with students? I would speak to the college counselor about your goals, what your school offers and which courses will be best for you.
