<p>I know there have been numerous posts about course-load rigor, but I am still somewhat confused about this issue. Does a "most demanding" course selection mean I have taken every possible AP course available to me? Or does it mean I have taken harder courses in comparison with my peers? </p>
<p>In 11th grade, I took four AP classes, yet I did not take an AP science class (I took honors instead), and I took an accounting elective. Does this hurt my rigor level because I didn't take another AP when it was available? </p>
<p>I am a senior now and I am taking 5 AP's and an advanced multivariable/linear algebra class that only 3 other students from my school are taking. Once again, are colleges going to look at my schedule unfavorably because I took an easy (but genuinely interesting) 7th elective? </p>
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<li><p>I wouldn’t worry if I were you. I know, I’m not you, and you are worrying. You should stop, though; it’s not good for your health, and it’s not going to help anything.</p></li>
<li><p>If you want to be constructive, ask your guidance counselor. He or she is the one who has to check the box on the GC form characterizing your curriculum as Insaaaaane or merely A Little Nuts. If the GC tells you that you haven’t dialed it up far enough to be called Insaaaane, you have a chance to argue about it, or to take him hostage and have a police standoff, and that may make him or her re-evaluate. If (as I expect), the GC already thinks you are Insaaaane, no problem.</p></li>
<li><p>Even if someone were to decide that your curriculum wasn’t “Most Demanding”, you have erred in precisely the right ways for a place like Chicago – you have pursued stuff that interested you, and gone beyond AP-level where you could. So really, don’t make this one of your worries. I am pretty certain that if you don’t get into Chicago, it will be based on some other flaw, not this one.</p></li>
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<p>I agree with pretty much everything JHS said, except for “it will be based on some other flaw.” Really, it’s not about flaws, but it’s about how you fit in. I have good reason to believe that your academic choices will help you in the Chicago EA process, so don’t worry about them.</p>
<p>^^ I say that they admit the very very very top, reject the very very very bottom, and have a drunken darts game with the rest of the applicants.</p>
<p>You’re obviously qualified for that darts game. Good luck!</p>
<p>You will also learn (though you don’t believe me now, for sure) that you are who you are, and the college you attend can’t make you more or less than that.</p>
<p>I didn’t take 3 AP classes that I could have…took honors instead because I thought the subject matter in honors was much more interesting and focused (esp for US History) than the AP ones. I also took an English elective that I didn’t have to. If that ends up hurting me then I’m going to be fairly disappointed.</p>
<p>^^ Totally agree with you unalove. But I also know I’ll feel damn good (at least for a few days) if I get in where I hope. I think we are all working for those initial moments of ecstasy. Then we go to the college, forget all about why we celebrated, and dive headlong into picture-less textbooks. Life…</p>
<p>Will post this in hopes of making some of you happy: After S2 had his on-campus admissions interview on Saturday, he headed over to the Chicago-CMU football game, where he was delighted to report that the stadium was filled, there were tailgaters with BBQ grills, kegs and coolers, and the Maroons were victorious.</p>
<p>This is not info his brother, a current second-year, would ever know, much less share. S2 was happy there’s a whole 'nuther side to life there than just the one his brother lives.</p>
<p>Schools do not expect you to take every AP available. Heck, one of my kids got into MIT before he ever took an AP science exam! (he did take one senior year) </p>
<p>Taking a class you are interested in vs. the AP chase is a GOOD THING.</p>
<p>In our case, S2 is younger son, polar opposite from older brother (current UChicago second year) who is also very interested in Chicago, though for totally different reasons than his older brother!</p>
<p>I think it depends on the years you received those grades. Hopefully, you’ve grown over your high school years (rather than grades becoming progressively worse). The C may not be favorable, but I’d say if you got A’s in the rest of your courses then you should be okay. Your course load seems challenging so thats a plus.</p>