<p>So I'll just sum up my situation in a nutshell. I guess I consider myself a slightly above average student, if at all above what is considered "average," and I am one of those "turnaround" cases who shaped up junior year. Here's a brief overview of my academic history:</p>
<p>SAT I: 2040 (retaking this Oct. projecting 2100+)
SAT IIs: Math IIC- 800, Korean- 800, Physics- 750
ACT: 31 (retaking this Sept. projecting 32-33)
APs: Calc AB - 5, Eng Lang - 4</p>
<p>Sufficient ECs, but won't be listing.</p>
<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Physics B
AP Poli Sci
AP Economics
AP Statistics
AP Eng Lit
AP Spanish
(Varsity Track)</p>
<p>My question is: Based on my rigorous senior courseload, do I gain a much better chance of admission to colleges when they see that I am challenging myself and see the upward trend in grades? I am really hoping that it is worth taking all these difficult classes, in terms of increasing my chances in admission to the colleges I am applying to. Any input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>And just for kicks, here are the colleges I am applying to:
- Cornell (AEM)
- NYU (Stern)
- Northwestern
- Georgetown (McDonough)
- USC (Marshall)
- U Michigan
- Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)
- UCLA
- Boston College (Carroll)
- Wash U, St. Louis (Olin)
- Villanova (VSB)
- UCI (Paul Merage)</p>
<p>what would colleges do if say you had a rigorous senior schedule the first semester but after the granted you admission you dropped a few of the courses?</p>
<p>Your admission is always contingent on your continuing your coursework and keeping your grades up (a small drop second semester is OK). Once the school sees your final transcript, they'll write you a letter saying "OK, what happened?" Unless they're satisfied with your answer, they'll rescind your admission.</p>
<p>Doing what you propose, without prior notification to the school(s) that you intend to do this, is one of the more dangerous paths you can take.</p>
<p>So I guess what I'm really trying to ask is: Would my senior classes (and doing well in those classes) make up for my otherwise mediocre stats?</p>
<p>Let's say there was a student with identical stats as me but with a 4.0, and decides to take a lighter senior courseload of, let's say, 2 APs. Would my 6 APs help in having the admissions officers view me on par with the 4.0 student? I am just really afraid they will look negatively upon my freshman and sophomore years, when really, my junior year is what truly reflects my academic ability and work ethic.</p>
<p>Btw, I know this is the wrong place for chances, but it would be great if someone can comment on how I'm looking for the schools on my list, especially the highly selective ones.</p>
<p>All you can do is try. None of our valedictorians got into their first choice. They had a rigorous schedule, extracurriculars, National Merit finalists, etc. If luck is on your side you'll get in or fate has determined your path and what school you are meant to attend. Good luck!</p>
<p>kMz: with respect to UCLA, UC Irvine, or any other UC -- I have read here, and it makes sense, that the UCs place more emphasis on past results. Sure, rigor plays a large role in that, but it is more a risk than with some schools.</p>
<p>What is your UC GPA? That is, academic only (no PE, no Art, etc.) courses taken between July after Freshman year thru August after Junior Year? You might well have 4.0+ UC GPA, which allows for eight semesters (and no more) of qualifying Honors/AP extra point classes.</p>
<p>The average GPA at Berkeley and UCLA this past fall were about 4.15 UC GPA. It looks like you might be a little below that. For UC Irvine, I think you will be above their average UC GPA.</p>
<p>All that to say -- I think UC gives a little less credit for really tough courses than do schools that have more time to draw a gestaltic impression of an applicant's strength.</p>
<p>P.S. Admissions officers most definitely notice junior year most, followed by rigor of Sr. year, followed by sophomore year. I don't believe they but much if any weight on freshman year.</p>
<p>Generally an upward trend reflects well. For example, another applicant who ended up with the same final GPA as you, but had a downward spiral since freshman year, wouldn't do quite as well.</p>
<p>DunninLA:
[quote]
Admissions officers most definitely notice junior year most, followed by rigor of Sr. year, followed by sophomore year. I don't believe they but much if any weight on freshman year.
[/quote]
How do you know this? I sincerely hope it's true, since I was slacking off sophomore year. <em>crosses fingers</em></p>
<p>rosinyangster -- from reading a few books on admissions, and posts on this forum -- some from adcoms. It is common sense, if you think about it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Would my senior classes (and doing well in those classes) make up for my otherwise mediocre stats?</p>
<p>Let's say there was a student with identical stats as me but with a 4.0, and decides to take a lighter senior courseload of, let's say, 2 APs. Would my 6 APs help in having the admissions officers view me on par with the 4.0 student?
[/quote]
No. It would not put you on a par with a 4.0 student. Your previous grades are the most important, followed by the rigor of your senior year schedule. Six senior year APs cannot make up for a poor junior year.</p>
<p>Ouch, that schedule for senior year looks brutal...not even I'm that balling (I'm taking more AP's in total senior year, but only 4 are classes, and 4 are self-study...adding a class makes an AP a million times harder, otherwise AP's are easy)</p>
<p>Good luck with your senior year! I'm sure colleges will be very impressed that you are grinding yourself to academics on that - much better than having all easy classes and free blocks, lol.</p>
<p>p.s., i'm applying to stern and aem too! lol gd luck</p>