I’m currently a high school sophomore, and I’m taking 6 honors courses (including chorus) and APUSH. The only AP courses offered to sophomores at my school are USH and US gov&pol. I got all A’s in all honors courses freshmen year, and so far have all A’s this year except for APUSH, one of the most difficult APs at my school, in which I have an A-. All of this being said, I was hoping to take a few more AP classes next year, but if I continue to be in chorus (I’m in the highest select choir in the school), my schedule will only allow me to take 2 APs. I’m concerned that this won’t be enough for the super selective colleges. I was wondering if you all think that admissions boards will put more weight on the fact that I have a passion and am pursuing that through choir or if they’d prefer me to take another AP. Some kids I know tested out of sciences or maths and will be able to take 6 APs next year, and I’m worried that, even if I keep my grades up and do well on the SAT, I won’t get a very impressive class rank and will fall to the wayside when it comes to top schools.
I think when it all comes down to it, there is no way I’m dropping choir to take an AP course that I’m not super interested in, but I’d still like to hear what you all think. Thanks!
For context, a few other things about me:
The choir I’m in requires me to also be in the normal, all-level concert choir at my school, and rehearses after school.
I’ve been doing musical theater since the third grade, and although I won’t be majoring in it, I love it and partake in around 4 full scale productions a year, 2 of which are outside of school theatre. I also take voice lessons weekly.
Last summer I interned with a children’s theatre company, and I will most likely being working for them the next three summers.
I write for the school newspaper and, on several occasions, have been told that I have true talent as a writer. Next year, I plan to take another writing elective (I took journalism this year) and do more writing outside of school, hopefully in some sort of class or workshop. I absolutely love it and am leaning towards an English major.
I played freshmen soccer last year, ran varsity cross country this year, and am planning to continue cross country through the rest of high school.
I think when it all comes down to it, there is no way I’m dropping choir to take an AP course that I’m not super interested in, but I’d still like to hear what you all think. I’m sorry if this sounds super cocky! Thanks!
There is a law of diminishing returning after 6-8 AP’s over the course of your HS career, meaning, that after that number, add’l AP’s will not move the needle appreciably for your college application. So if your plan is to take add’l AP’s to impress colleges, your strategy is flawed - they won’t be impressed.
So it really comes down to your own goals. Are you really passionate about music? If so, continue choir. In the same vein, if choir is not doing it for you, don’t do it just for college applications. Either way, you should read [url=<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17560325%5Dthis%5B/url”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17560325]this[/url] and view [url=<a href=“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVxA0J5g28%5Dthis%5B/url”>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVxA0J5g28]this[/url] before you make your final decision.
Great links skieurope. @mtsoccer11 you seem like a smart young person. I am very sure you will go to a great college and do well without taking on an extra source of stress. As adult, I can tell you that you will have many many stresses in your adult life. Take advantage of enjoying being young. Do things you enjoy. One AP class more won’t make a difference, and why do yu care about top colleges? You should really care about a college where you will fit in, and I think with what you currently do, you will go far and do well. You are already in track to get inot selective colleges. Keep singing!