Hey, all.
So it turns out I can only fit 6 AP classes into my high school resume, three during junior year and three during senior year. (AP US History, AP English Lang, AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Engish Lit, and AP US Govt and Politics.)
My remaining period in the day is filled by chorus, which counts as an honors credit. All of my other classes are honors as well.
Because I can’t take any AP classes in the fall, I’ll be taking probably nine or so community college classes in total by the time of graduation.
I’ve spoken to my counselor about this, and she told me that I need to have at least 7-8 AP classes to even be “considered” for admission into UNC Chapel Hill and Duke. (I am an in-state applicant.)
Does her statement have any legitimacy? It’s been really eating away at me for the past several days and I need some second opinions.
It kind of seems like a load of bull to me, but again, my own opinion is not exactly the most qualified.
If it makes any difference at all, I made a 32 on my PACT and am involved in several academic clubs (Like Science Olympiad, for an example, where I’ve earned two medals so far.)
No. But there is a disconnect in the following statements:
So how would the GC propose more if you can’t fit them in? And are the CC classes counted toward your HS requirements?
The law of diminishing returns kicks in after 6-8 AP classes (or equivalent). My concern for you is that the GC may not mark your schedule as “most demanding” nor has s/he (although admittedly we only have one side) provided you with a game plan of achieving “most demanding.”
The question is really about will you get the most demanding or not. The school certainly doesn’t have a minimum. My DS HS sends many students to T20. This is what is on their school profile.
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
• Advanced Placement courses are ordinarily available ONLY TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS. Select freshmen are placed in AP World History. Admission to these courses is competitive and is based upon past performance/testing, and, in all cases, approval of the Instructor.
• Due to schedule requirements, MOST JUNIORS CAN ACCOMMODATE ONLY AP BIOLOGY and/or AP U.S. HISTORY in their schedule.
• Even the most rigorous senior schedule would rarely include more than 3-4 AP courses
“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’
@skieurope
I could, in theory, fit in more if I dropped out of chorus and took an AP in that period, instead. But I really don’t want to have to do that.
I also could have potentially taken Latin III the fall semester of Junior year and took an AP this spring instead. I didn’t realize that until just recently, however.
I could certainly ask her about how rigorous she finds my schedule. But at this point, there’s not much I can change about it anyway.
@Eeyore123
I, personally, think my schedule will be plenty demanding. I’m just hoping that the universities I apply to will think so as well.
I guess you’re right about different high schools offering different courses. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
@bopper
That’s actually quite relieving, thank you! I’ll have to save the link to that blog.
@FlowerCrown Keep chorus if it is something you love. My son did Show Choir all 4 years even when it was technically hurting his GPA and he still managed a number 1 ranking. If the CC classes you are taking are true college level and are transferable they should be look upon similarly as AP classes.