<p>I am a high school freshman and am wondering if my high school plan is rigorous enough for possible acceptance to the Ivy Leagues, Princeton University, in particular. Here it is:</p>
<p>Grade 9:</p>
<pre><code> -Honors Biology with Lab.
-English 9 Honors.
-Global History and Geography 9 Honors.
-Spanish II.
-Drawing and Design for Production.
-Financial Planning (Semester)
-Banking and Credit (Semester)
-Regents Geometry.
</code></pre>
<p>Grade 10:</p>
<pre><code> -Regents Chemistry with Lab.
-English 10 Honors.
-AP European History.
-Spanish III.
-Regents Algebra II / Trigonometry
-College Business Math
-Accounting I
</code></pre>
<p>Grade 11:</p>
<pre><code> -AP Biology
-AP Language and Composition
-College American History
-College Spanish IV
-College Algebra and Trigonometry (Precalc.)
-College Micro-Economics
-Health
-Business Computer Applications
</code></pre>
<p>Grade 12:</p>
<pre><code> -Regents Physics with Lab
-AP Literature and Composition
-AP Government and Politics: US
-College Spanish V
-College Calculus I and II
-College Financial Accounting I
-Theory of Knowledge
</code></pre>
<p>This plan is, of course, tentative, as I am only a high school freshman enrolled in the Grade 9 classes. As far as I know, this is the most rigorous possible curriculum in my high school. We predominantly offer dual-enrollment courses through Orange County Community College in New York, but some are through SUNY Albany and Sullivan CC. My high school offers limited AP courses, I would be taking almost all of them (not taking Studio Art).</p>
<p>Also, I will be taking the corresponding AP tests for the college-level courses I take, those being: US History; Spanish Language; Micro-Economics (Macro self-study); and Calculus BC.</p>
<p>Let me know if this is rigorous enough, and post your high school plan for comparison. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think your schedule is definitely rigorous enough. I’m a freshman too, and my schedule looks pretty much like yours, I’m just in Honors Physics and Honors Algebra 2 instead of your science and math courses, respectively. Don’t stress about rigorous schedules, though, because in the end, your unweighted GPA is the product of those classes, which matters more than your schedule. It’s definitely rigorous enough, but remember that your schedule is the least important part of your college application. Colleges just want to see if you are challenging yourself, which you definitely are! :)</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m just afraid that the small number of AP courses I will be taking due to our limited selection will hurt me. Also, do you live in New York? Physics can only be taken here after Chemistry, Living Environment (Biology), and Earth Science. My high school is very limiting, and the teachers that challenge you are few and far between.</p>
<p>Are your “college” courses at the AP level or above? If so, then I think your academic rigor is good enough for the Ivies and other high-ranked colleges. However, as a freshman, you should come to realize ASAP that it’s not all about taking another AP class or joining another club if you really want to make it to high-ranked schools such as the Ivies. Honestly, from the viewpoint of a junior that will be applying to colleges this fall, it’s about dedication and persistence in a few (3-4) activities, where you have leadership positions, awards, recommendations from teachers backing you up, etc. Of course, you should maintain high grades, take challenging courses, and get great SAT scores. However, if you really want to set yourself apart from the thousands of Ivy applicants, choose a few activities you enjoy RIGHT NOW and get involved. Just my 2 cents… =D</p>
<p>Thank you so much! Yes, the “college-level” courses I listed are at or above AP level, especially American History, Calculus and Financial Accounting. They are taught by very difficult teachers, but everyone I know who has gone through them left saying they were very challenged. </p>
<p>Along with all of the courses I am in now, where I have a 97 GPA weighted, I also hold a leadership position in our Academy of Finance (School Store Manager), participate in the Student Senate as my Social Studies class representative, and I volunteer at the local elementary school with a second grade teacher. I am currently on my third year doing that, and I go two days a week for an hour.</p>
<p>I am also in the process of searching for a part-time job, despite the shape of the economy. Another extra-curricular would be ideal too, as I feel I am kind of bare at the moment in that area. </p>
<p>My PSAT score was a 172 (53 CR, 53 M, and 66 W), which of course needs major improvement, but as a freshman my guidance counselor said it was great. Let me know on that one.</p>
<p>I live in CA. Don’t worry, the colleges look at only how many AP’s your school offers, and how many of those you took. For instance, my school offers 25 AP classes, so if I took 6-10 AP’s or more then that would look great on my application. If your school offers maybe 6 AP’s and you took 3, then that looks great as well!</p>
<p>@IvyLeague2020: I slightly disagree. Colleges do not in any way look only at how many AP classes you took. Yes, your course rigor does play a role in how college admissions officers look at you, but I wouldn’t say it is the only aspect of your application that they look at. All I’m trying to say is that having leadership and awards in one extracurricular activity that is meaningful far exceeds taking one more AP class. You are still a freshman, so planning out your courses for the next 4 years of your high school life might not be a bad idea, but also be open to changing your schedule somewhat.</p>
<p>Of course, which is why I said “tentative” in my original post. </p>
<p>I spoke with my guidance counselor today and she told me of the option to completely bypass my high school senior year and attend Orange County Community College, which would provide me with >30 Credits for college. At the same time, this would satisfy any remaining requirements for high school, but I may not have the schedule to continue participating in the after-school activities I currently do.</p>
<p>What advice would you have for me in this scenario. It would only cost me ~$4,000 for the >30 credits, according to my guidance counselor, a great deal for two semesters worth of credits. But I understand Princeton does not accept dual-enrollment credits. Would this still be a good option, IF I were able to continue with my extra-curriculars?</p>
<p>EVERY student is judged in the context of their school. It DOES NOT matter what another student at a different high school is rated, as your guidance counselor is required to fill out a Supplemental School Report (SSR) on your behalf. The SSR specifically asks for the guidance counselor to:</p>
<p>(1) list the number of AP’s offer at your high school
(2) Indicate whether a student is limited in the number of AP’s they can take each year
(3) Rate the rigor of your course load, as compared to all other college bound seniors at your high school as (a) most demanding, (b) demanding, (c) demanding, (d) average, (e) below average. Princeton, and ALL selective colleges, are seeking students who have taken the MOST DEMANDING course load at your school.
(4) Rate the students academic, extracurricular and personal qualities as top 10%, top 5 %, or top 1%. Princeton, and ALL selective colleges are seeking students who are rated in the top 1%, top 5%, or top 10%.</p>
<p>How does Princeton regard college courses taken during high school? Do college credits transfer to Princeton?</p>
<p>Taking college courses while you are a high school student indicates to us that you seek out academic challenges, but we do not expect students to have taken college courses before they apply. Applicants who have taken college courses are most often at high schools not offering many advanced courses such as advanced placement or International Baccalaureate.</p>
<p>Princeton does not offer credit toward degree requirements for college or university courses taken before you enroll. However, you can take SAT Subject Tests, AP exams or placement exams offered by some academic departments at Princeton to demonstrate your knowledge in a subject, which may permit you to skip the introductory-level course in that area.</p>