Most rigorous courses, is it worth it?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Do you guys ever wonder if it is worth it to take the most rigorous course load offered at your school? I mean, I'm sure that most of us can agree that our primary goal is to get into a great, highly selective college. The only way to do this is to take a very advanced course load throughout high school.</p>

<p>My Senior year is approaching and I am currently planning my schedule. I will have 5 APs next year and sometimes I wonder about what will happen if I do not get into my dream schools and end up going to a school with a high acceptance rate. If this happens, why did I waste all of my time in high school taking all of the most advanced classes when others with less rigorous schedules can get into these schools that have high acceptance rates? </p>

<p>Do you guys believe that it is worth it to go through high school taking a difficult schedule if, in the end, you may not even get accepted to your top tier schools and may end up going to a school where people who didn't take the hardest HS schedule go? </p>

<p>A part of me is saying it is your last year of high school, finish strong! The other part of me is saying to not take 5 APs because I may not even get accepted to the schools that expect to see students with such a rigorous schedules. </p>

<p>I think the problem is that there is such a huge difference in terms of students' HS schedule rigor when dealing with first-second tier colleges and then colleges third tier and below. First-second tier colleges seem to expect kids to take the most rigorous HS schedule (all honors classes and a good amount of AP classes), while third tier and below seem to be fine with just a high SAT score and a moderate schedule (nothing more than 1-2 AP classes). </p>

<p>It is frightening to put such a hard schedule on my shoulders senior year when I could be taking only 1-2 difficult classes and getting through the year stress-free and easily. I guess my main fear is ending up going to a school with students who did not work as hard as I did in HS. Anyone else share these same thoughts? Any opinions?</p>

2

<p>All right, first of all, if you do end up going to a lower tier school, and if you have done a lot of work–there are some major scholarship opportunities. Plus, you may feel better about applying to grad school with a more rigorous highschool schedule (it probably won’t influence your chances of acceptance, but it could make you feel better).</p>

<p>However, you need to make sure you have the capacity to get through a challenging courseload without a ridiculous amount of trouble. Any college would rather see an A in Honors Bio than a 2 on the AP exam, regardless of how “hard you worked.” </p>

<p>Your scores are also important–if they’re low, it may be necessary to do well in difficult classes to show that you are in fact smart (I know for a fact that some people do exceptionally well in class, yet fail miserably when a big test shows up). If they are high, however, you have a bit more cushion.</p>

<p>Many people would disagree with this, but I would recommend that you take at least one blowoff class. As a freshman at a rigorous highschool, I plan on having one blowoff each year. In my honest opinion, this lets you relax a little, and is nice to have a block that you can just cool down. But–I would only do this if you do choose the route of a challenging schedule. Otherwise, you won’t need a block to relax in. </p>

<p>Other things you might not have thought of that you may consider to be very important or completely irrelevant–</p>

<p>You’ll be taking some time off to visit schools, possibly.</p>

<p>This is the last year you have to experience highschool. (Don’t know which direction that makes you want to take)</p>

<p>If you have a job, that may influence your decision.</p>

<p>Hope this helps, and good luck getting into your dream school!</p>

3

<p>It’s better to put your best foot forward for admissions officers and take the chance. You may feel resentful for taking hard courses your senior year and end up in a college you didn’t want to go but there is that chance your hard work will have paid off and you reach that place you’ve dreamed of. Don’t end up regretting that maybe if you had taken those courses you might have been accepted by your dream school. As s second semester senior, senioritis has hit me hard and I’m behind a few classes. It’s overrated. I know you want to chill it senior year as I did, but dont let it be the only thing you want to do. Focus on your classes and enjoy your last year at the same time. Fix your schedule so you have time for schoolwork, but always remain relaxed.if plans come up where you can have fun with friends, put that first during your senior year and then make up your work. Senior year should be free of stress but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your brain stimulated.</p>

4

<p>why plan for the worst? also, if you do end up going to a school with a higher acceptance rate, there’s a better chance that school will take lots of ap credit. you could potentially graduate early, or take that extra time off to study abroad or pursue an internship of some sort. graduating early could also just save you some $. i think it’s a win-win situation.</p>

5

<p>I got waitlisted to Wash U after working my butt off in high school and chances are looking pretty slim right now… I wish I had settled for my state school back in freshman year, to save myself some stress.</p>

6

<p>Yes, it is worth it to take the more rigorous course load. </p>

<p>Don’t be stupid and overload, but take the best courses.</p>

<p>And take the tough courses that interest you, or lean toward your desire or potential major.</p>

7

<p>If the most rigorous courseload at your school is manageable, than taking it is a good idea. But there is a point where it isn’t worth the stress. I took 5 honors classes my freshman year at a very competitive public high school. Although I handled the work ok, I had some pretty bad stress, mainly showing through daily headaches. I didn’t realize how bad things had been until sophomore year (taking 4 honors and 1 accelerated, the plan I’ve stuck with for the rest of high school) when I realized I didn’t go to the nurse 3 times a week for advil anymore. I still have a 4.3 GPA, well in the top 10% for my school, and this way I’m not totally stressed, even though I still have to do a lot. It’s all about finding balance, taking on the most rigorous courseload that won’t ruin your life.</p>