<p>I've been researching the schools I want to go to but they all state that course rigor is the most important factor.If it were up to me I would have taken a full load of Honors/AP but I couldn't. The reason is I was in foster care my sophomore year. When I moved schools they did not care what classes they gave me and refused to give me credits. When I moved again it was too late to sign up for junior year advanced classes. The only AP class I'm taking is English(after begging my counselor) and Honors Pre-calc. I really wish I could be taking more because I feel so unchallenged in the rest of my classes. Next year I am definitely going to take a full course load of AP's. Do I still have a chance of getting into schools with 25-50% admit rate?</p>
<p>Yes.
Work hard on your ACT/SAT.
Write an awesome essay.
Take classes in the summer?
My school always APs in the summer.</p>
<p>*allows</p>
<p>Sorry, typing on phone.</p>
<p>Thanks that gives me hope:) Unfortunately my school doesn’t offer AP’s in the summer…what if I take classes at a community college will that look as good as AP?</p>
<p>They will look at the course load of your senior year. Many HS only limit AP classes to senior anyway. Nevertheless, you will compare your class schedule with the school profile to determine if it is rigorous enough. Anyway, you should not worry. In a holistic review, course rigorous is just one of the multiple factors.</p>
<p>I don’t see how you could be penalized at all when you had no choice in the matter…this is different from someone who failed to sign up for honors classes because they were lazy or something.</p>
<p>Make sure your guidance counselor explains your history in his/her recommendation. This will be vital.</p>
<p>Those classes would look good.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You shouldn’t assume that schools that reject 50-75% of applicants are automatically better than those that accept a higher percentage. There are some pretty good state schools that have very high acceptance rates.</p></li>
<li><p>Even though your classes aren’t APs, you should be doing as well as you possibly can in the ones you do have. The only time APs really come into the mix is if you’ve got a 4.0 in easier classes - then a college will wonder how well you would have done in the tougher class. It’s a pretty safe assumption that if you aren’t aceing lower level classes you’d be getting even lower grades in tougher classes. It’s not a matter of just taking APs, it’s a matter of taking APs and getting good grades in them. No one is impressed by a student who takes five APs and gets all Cs.</p></li>
<li><p>Take the SAT or ACT ASAP so you can get a read on how you stack up against everyone else. Your scores should give you a reasonable range of schools you might qualify for. If you aren’t scoring say a 27+ on the ACT, the exclusive schools aren’t for you anyway.</p></li>
<li><p>If you do happen to blow away the ACT/SAT, start letting your college guidance counselor know you’re interested in more elite schools. Let them know your story so they can pass it on to admissions officers. Some of them are going to take an interest in you, if you show potential, regardless of what courses you took. Schools love to admit people with potential who have done everything they can within the limited circumstances they’ve been given - you’ll just need to connect with the right set of people.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>“The reason is I was in foster care my sophomore year.”</p>
<p>Are you, or have you been at any time since you turned 13, in a court-ordered legal guardianship? If you are/were, be sure to get the details of the paperwork. It will make you an independent student for financial aid purposes, and could make a huge difference in your aid packages.</p>
<p>@MrMom I realize that school’s with lower acceptance rates aren’t necessarily better. But when it comes down to getting the best possible education and opportunities, as well as financial aid, the more selective colleges tend to offer the best. I am doing very well in all of my classes. A lot of my teacher’s have told me my work and motivation is impressive, and I have gotten 100% in almost all of my classes I’ve attended. I have taken some practice tests and I am confident my SAT will be in the 2000+ range. I have talked to my GC about it but he hasn’t said anything about talking to colleges, he just said he’ll help me write my personal statement.</p>
<p>@happymomof1 yes I was a ward of the court for about 9 months when I was 15. I thought you only received extra financial aid if you were 16 when taken into the court system?</p>
<p>If your college counselor doesn’t seem like he’s going to be of much help, then you might want to contact the schools you’re interested in directly. They’ll let you know what you need to do to convey your story. You handling it yourself could also be seen as another plus factor.</p>
<p>2000+ will get you in some pretty good schools, and in your case, maybe even some of the top ones, but they can be tough. Ordinarily your qualifications wouldn’t crack the Ivies, but depending on the specifics of your story, you might find a sympathetic ear. You’ll know it when you hear it.</p>