<p>I go to a magnet public school (not charter) and so does my twin brother. We are juniors in HS. I am interested in the arts (Drama specifically) but not as a career path or college major. He is interested in STEM studies. In 8th grade, we both went through a rigorous process to apply, I auditioned, we both interviewed, wrote essays, et cetera. My school is nationally ranked as the ~80th best public school. On the other hand, my brother goes to a STEM Early College at a historically black college- we are white- but he has been doing amazingly.
His Accomplishments:
-Real World Design Challenge State Winner two years in a row (2013 &14)
-Intern at the Joint School for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
-Project Manager for an data-collecting experiment at the above institution
-2200 on the SAT
-Already taking college calculus III
-4.0 GPA
-Considered a college freshman. We are 16. </p>
<p>My accomplishments:
-3.9 GPA
-5.1 weighted
-AP World Student of the year
-Nearing fluent in Spanish, learning Mandarin
-Active in several clubs, president of Government Club
-Around 2000 on the SAT, Math is my difficulty, Perfect Score on CR
-Peer tutor for about 8 students in both Civics, AP World, and Spanish I and II
-International Thespian Society member
-National Honors Society (common, I know)
-Active in Model Congress
-Participated in Model UN in NYC
-Exchange student in Costa Rica
-Excellence in Acting Award from my state's theatre conference.
-4 AP Classes, plan on taking 5 next year
-Volunteer at local art center, immigrant school, and school for differently abled kids</p>
<p>I know my creds don't stand up to his in the long run. Anyways..with the given credentials and my twin and I's passion for academics, what are admissions' thoughts on Magnet school kids? I know my family has occasionally worried that we are focusing in too much-- he is focused on STEM, and I on the arts--but we try to stay well rounded. More specifically, is going to an arts school a no-no if you aren't planning on going into it? I still take AP classes and participate academically, but I spend long hours in rehearsal (usually until 9 each night). Will this be considered a viable EC? I also am applying to be a big sister with the YWCA, but NOT to fluff up app creds. I hate when people only engage in activities to do that. I'm hoping admissions officers will see the advantage of me staying committed to my EC.</p>
<p>With the exception of some mostly large universities that are strong and deep in both his and your interests, it is likely that you and he will have rather different application lists, just based on academic interests.</p>
<p>It is fine to be more advanced in some subjects compared to others, as long as one is at least up to the college-prep baseline in all subjects that is expected by the colleges being applied to. I.e. he should still take four years of English, three or four years of history and social studies, third or fourth year or equivalent level of proficiency of foreign language, and a year of art or music, while you should still take math through precalculus (calculus or statistics preferred if you complete precalculus before 12th grade) and all three of biology, chemistry, and physics.</p>
<p>My dd graduated from a magnet school in June & did very well in the admissions process. One her classmates is from an arts magnet here in the city. I read a newspaper article about him and he also did extremely in the admissions process. </p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I am taking 4 eng, 4 math, 5-6 social studies (I do online AP social studies courses at home in my own time) and 4 sciences. Also, I am not taking pre-cal, I’m taking AP Statistics. Does this change anything?</p>
<p>Magnet schools can differ widely. You should look at where kids are getting into colleges from your schools. Ask they use naviance, ask the GC, look for lists of where the grads go to college. That is the best indicator.</p>
<p>Hmmm, if the arts magnet expects students to go to college, why would it fail to offer all three of the main sciences?</p>
<p>While statistics is generally useful in a lot of areas (including in social studies), “four years of high school math” often includes the implied expectation of precalculus or higher. AP statistics is, at most, similar to a one semester non-calculus-based introductory statistics course in college. Some social studies majors may require a major-specific quantitative methods course rather than generalized statistics.</p>
<p>if your intended major may be economics or business, be aware that these typically require calculus, so you need to at least have precalculus in that case.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus I neglected to mention AP Earth and Enviro is offered, I took that soph. year.Physics, oddly, is rare in my county unless you’re IB- plenty of kids I know graduate and don’t take it. Also had a friend who graduated from my school in June and is currently going to Williams. He was also accepted to Middlebury and some other great schools. Another great friend I have is at Columbia right now. I also have plenty of friends at UNC-Chapel Hill. My school has 100% graduation rate and last year we achieved over $2 million in scholarships to a senior class of only 80. But they still don’t offer physics…
I’m currently taking discrete math, a similar course to pre-cal. It’s honors, but I am bad at math.
Planning on going into the humanities of some sort, maybe history, anthropology, or psychology.</p>
<p>Discrete math is different from precalculus.</p>
<p>Psychology and anthropology are generally considered social studies, rather than humanities. History may be seen as both humanities and social studies. None really requires calculus, unless perhaps you get to very advanced levels where calculus-based statistics may be used.</p>
<p>It is really odd that few high schools in your county offer physics at all.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is an issue with you going to an arts school as long as you’re still taking a regular college prep curriculum. I went to a college that focuses mostly on science and engineering, and I had classmates that went to arts schools.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus, At least at my high school, discrete math was essentially pre-calculus with a few calculus topics added at the end. The name had no relation to the material taught (I have no idea why).</p>
<p>@shravas that is the situation with my school in terms of discrete.
I am taking all honors and AP classes (no CP) and with advice from my counselor I’m on track to get into college in terms of course load. Thanks to all who have replied!! :)</p>
<p>As post 5 asked, does your Magnet use Naviance? If so, how do your dream schools compare with your school’s applications and admittances? You might also want to check Naviance for your local high school to see how they compare - you may be able to review their stats as a guest. I have 2 kids in a Magnet HS. The schools you and your twin will be applying to, whether they be STEM or LAC, should be knowledgeable of the rigor involved and the reputation of your school. I think you’d shine at many of those schools.</p>