It is true that English classes will be very difficult in college! Not looking forward to it!
I didn’t mean college English classes. I literally meant ALL your gen ed classes in college will involve extensive writing. You need to work very hard starting now to improve it.
@indialover1999:
That’s a decent set of planned courses, even with the suggested modifications.
However, for the schools you’ll be applying to, courses like that are necessary but not sufficient. Most of the others you’re competing against for an acceptance spot will also have similar courses.
What is it about you that will make the adcoms at a given school read your application and think: “Gee. This person is interesting and would make a good addition to our incoming freshman class.”?
At the level of schools you’re applying to, the answer isn’t a long list of ECs, simply to “check the box” to show you’ve done them.
What makes you tick?
What will make the adcoms like and want to have you on campus?
Hey OP! So you’ve already gotten some great advice–you definitely have to add a foreign-to-you language–and my thoughts, re: AP English: you have two years before you have to set your senior schedule. It’s completely understandable that you’re not 100% comfortable with English composition right now, but don’t decide unilaterally that AP English isn’t for you. As others mention, you’ll have to do a lot of essay writing in college, so I would use the next two years to get comfortable and practice a lot–maybe even work one-on-one with your sophomore English teacher to improve your composition skills.
So, beyond academics, my advice is to get acclimated in your new home and explore your interests. ECs are very important for US college admissions, though they have to be organic. Are there any clubs at school you’d like to join? Usually there are clubs that center around volunteering, so if that’s your interest area, look into that. Is there a photography club at school?
The other piece of advice will to start studying for your SATs/ACTs after sophomore year/at the start of junior year. You may want to opt for the ACT, where the writing section is optional. And then: don’t solely shoot for Ivies/the tippy-top public schools (I’m assuming you mean UCB, UVA, etc.). Do the best you can over the next few years–strong grades, ECs that you enjoy/demonstrate your interests, good test scores–and keep an open mind. When the time comes, build a balanced list of reach, match and safeties, and focus on fit–where you’d be happy and thrive academically. A lot of factors will influence your college admissions, and in junior year when you have your GPA + test scores, CC can give you further advice. For example, are you going to be applying as an Indian citizen or a U.S. citizen? Can your parents afford to pay 50-70K a year for university? These things will effect your list. BUT that stuff comes later. Right now, just focus on acclimating and doing well in school. Good luck!
I am applying as a U.S citizen. I agree with the advice that all of you gave me. I will try to implement and hope it works! Thanks a lot for the help!