<p>I was wondering if this hypothetical junior year schedule (assuming I do well in all of the classes) would be rigorous enough to get into HYP when I apply:</p>
<p>AP Physics C
AP Economics
AP Art History
English Honors
Spanish V honors
Math at local college</p>
<p>Most serious students in junior year at my school will be taking AP Biology, AP English, AP US History, and an AP Math, so I realize my transcript will appear different from others in my year</p>
<p>Would my junior schedule still be realistic for a top Ivy league school or would it appear significantly different or weaker in any way whatsoever?</p>
<p>Please be as honest as possible so I can consider changing my schedule ASAP if necessary.</p>
<p>There are some initiatives you can take. Nothing is “inexcusable” as far as HYP is concerned; you’ll have a more challenging transcript if you could take that extra AP english. If I were you, I’d go ahead and challenge the AP english exam even though you’re taking honors. It’ll show initiative, and you could even make a statement in next year’s common app.</p>
<p>Thanks, that seems like a good idea (I was thinking about it too).</p>
<p>However, I was still wondering if the lack of AP English would still end up hurting me (even despite the excuse)?</p>
<p>Also, would my other APs seem rigorous enough for HYP (especially Art History and Economics)? Would it actually be better if I dropped the math at the local college and went ahead with a more “normal” schedule (including AP English, AP US History, AP Biology, etc.)?</p>
<p>It depends. If you really enjoy mathematics, keep the college-level course. </p>
<p>I think your schedule is very rigorous. Especially if you combine it with ECs, stunning test scores, leadership, volunteering, etc. It’s tough to note your chances at HYP, but challenging AP exams is what got one of my high school alumni through to MIT/Harvard/Yale (he doubled his AP count by challenging) recently.</p>
<p>I am still concerned about having AP Art History and AP Economics on my junior year schedule, though. While these courses might be easier to do well in (grade-wise), would college admissions folks see these courses as less challenging and thus diminish my chances of admission to a top-school, especially considering what other APs most of my classmates are taking?</p>
<p>Would I be better off without the college math and pursuing harder APs at my own high school?</p>
<p>You’re absolutely back on track with your post #5. Stay in the mainstream and take the most rigorous program for core courses offered at your high school. The availability of a course at a local college is a distraction, especially for your junior year. Focus on core courses in English, History, Lab Science, History/Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Leave the electives for college. Take AP English, APUSH and AP Biology – absolutely. What will you do for math senior year? Perhaps then you can consider a college course – but frankly I doubt that taking such courses (outside of the high school curriculum) has much significance for college applications.</p>
<p>I recently researched a similar issue with my daughter’s senior year schedule–it is a difficult schedule, but atypical because she has already taken all the high-level courses (one honors course and three APs) in a core subject. Without an explanation on the Common App, her schedule choices could appear odd. </p>
<p>It seems that your choice is between a typical schedule that includes no math, or an atypical schedule that is still challenging but includes math at a local college. I would not eliminate math your junior year. If you are concerned about how your schedule will look, you can ask your guidance counselor to explain what happened in her recommendation letter to colleges, or you can explain it in the supplemental information section of the Common App.</p>
<p>You might get a little more perspective and advice if you would include your projected senior year schedule as well. Do you expect to be able to take AP English Language or Lit your senior year?</p>
<p>I will definitely be planning to take AP English, AP US History, and AP Bio senior year, but I am afraid that having them missing in junior year could significantly affect my chances at top schools. Is this true?</p>
<p>^I know, but what if they can’t fit into my schedule. Should I just drop the college math altogether and go for the high school APs?</p>
<p>It’s a bit late now, especially to do summer assignments and prepare for them, but if they answer is definitely yes (to get inyo HYP) I will do it.</p>
<p>When I visited Duke University, the admissions counselor specifically said he’d rather see AP’s then college courses. I’m not exactly sure if HYP views things the same way though. </p>
<p>However, if you are really interested in math (and I’m guessing you are if you’re taking Physics C and have gone through all the math courses offered at your school) and you end up taking the college course, then I would try to really play that up as something you’re passionate about on your application. </p>
<p>In my opinion, as long as you’re taking the other AP’s your senior year, I’m not quite sure that the order you take them is that important.</p>