Most Demanding vs. Very Demanding

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I talked with my Guidance Counselor for like 10 seconds today regarding whether I would be considered Most Demanding or Very demanding in terms of courseload. He responded by saying off the top of his head "probably very demanding". </p>

<p>Here's the problem. He's new, as in he's never done college apps before. Second, I DEFINITELY have (one of) the HARDEST courseload at my MAGNET high school. My sschool runs on a special schedule where basically ppl have free time scattered throughout the day. I have NO time free including NO lunch in my schedule. I've also taken 8 AP/IB courses, the maximum possible being 9 which I don't think anyone has. Also, I was one of 10 students selected to be placed into a grade higher math curriculum at an already accelerated math sequence (took BC Calc Sophmore year, multi junior, lin alg senior year)</p>

<p>So basically how should I address my concern to him to make sure it reflects my courseload accurately? Any advice or anyone deal with this before? Also do colleges tend to "know" exactly how demanding a courseload is from the transcript?- or do they rely on the counselor recc (he's new)?. Thx, please respond!</p>

2

<p>From my conversations with admissions officers, the transcript is what they study the most about any application. They'll think about it in context with other applications received from your school. I don't think any one designation by a GC is going to make much of a difference.</p>

<p>As with everything else in this process, stress less about it.</p>

3

<p>Along with the transcript goes a school profile that summarizes the courses your high school offers along with other info such as how many kids go on to 4 year schools, 2 year community colleges, ACT scores as a class, how GPA is computed, etc. The universities can look at this course listing to see that you've taken the hardest classes. Columbia has a supplemental info section...........maybe you could write up something how you scheduled all your advanced classes. </p>

<p>momoffive</p>