AP Calc BC
AP Literature
AP Economics
AP Statistics*
Honors Physics
*If I can’t get into Statistics (due to scheduling concerns or max capacity numbers), I would take AP Psychology. So worst case scenario: BC, Lit, Econ, Pysch.
Is this rigorous enough for top schools?
During sophomore and junior year, I’ve taken: AP US History, AP Language and Composition, AP Calc AB, AP US Government, AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Environmental Science.
Any thoughts or comments on my senior year course load and my sophomore/junior course load would be much appreciated.
Honestly? Probably not as you have not really taken AP core sciences.
But even if you did, you would probably not get into an Ivy since they have such low acceptance rates.
What is your SAT/ACT?
But will you find a good college? YES!!!
Is my course load that soft? Now I’m debating on whether I should take AP Physics instead…I want to get perfect grades this semester but I’m afraid taking AP Physics could be very difficult
The opinion that matters most is that of your guidance counselor. You need to ask if with your schedule he/she will check off that you have taken the most rigorous schedule available at your high school in the guidance counselor recommendation. Most top tier schools expect that box to be checked.
As I tell everyone, I also strongly recommend that you expand your horizons past the Ivy schools which have ridiculously low acceptance rates. There are tons of amazing colleges and universities out there.
@happy1 Thanks for the response. Yes, I only put Ivies in the title to suggest what caliber schools I would be applying to. And good idea, I’ll talk to my GC as soon as I can.
Your schedule is definitely rigorous, but of course Ivy admissions are unpredictable and even applicants with perfect stats get rejected.
As to whether or not you need AP sciences, I of course can’t say for certain about Ivy admissions, but for a lot of highly selective colleges I have visited, the admissions officers have said they want you to challenge yourself “appropriately.” All of them have said they do not expect you to take every single AP/honors course available to you.
Yes, I do read CC and I do plan on applying to many other schools besides Ivies. As mentioned right above, I only put “for Ivies” in the title to suggest what caliber schools I would apply to. Maybe I should’ve put “Top Schools” instead.
I took APES last year and was one of 4 kids in my grade to get a 5. My APES teacher and I have a really good relationship - she is actually writing one of my letters of recommendations.
@happy1 talked to my guidance counselor today. She said my course load is the most rigorous at my high school. She made it seem that I didn’t need to take another AP Science as I wouldn’t be applying to a science/engineering program and because I’ve taken high level math.
It all depends on where you go to school, how many APs your school offers, your grades, and all other factors. I agree that it is best to talk to your guidance counselor about this. They will have the most experience with people from your school getting accepted to ivy-caliber schools. You also need to consider which courses will help you get the best grades and allow you enough time to work on your applications. Ivy admissions can be so crazy so it is all different. Good luck!
You are lacking foreign language, and 5 credits is lightweight, even though the courses you are taking are rigorous. Most hs students are taking at least 6, and ours take 7 or 8.
Yeah I am lacking a foreign language for senior year. I took a language for the past 3 years (self studied year 3 so I could jump from 2 to 4 and have it still “count” as 4 years of language taken). And I will actually have 6 credits - I just didn’t mention I’m taking Personal Finance. You think it’s worth doing AP Physics? I’m awful at the subject so it’s very possible I wouldn’t get an A in it. Ultimately I’m wondering whether getting an A in Honors Physics is better/worse than a potential A- or even B in AP Physics. Thanks for your comment!
First of all, how would you know you are awful at physics since you haven’t even taken a first physics course yet? Secondly, is your AP physics C or is it 1? C is significantly harder and I wouldn’t recommend that most students jump straight into it. 1 is meant to be a first physics course. But if you aren’t interested in physics, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to stick with honors.
I’ve done physics in my math classes and I’ve seen my classmates physics work. It’s AP Physics 1. I just don’t want any admissions officer to take points off because I didn’t take AP Bio, Chem or Physics. So I’m probably going to enroll in the class and hope for the best
As two points of reference, senior year my kids took 6 and 7 AP’s respectively and both completed the math through AP Calc BC as well as AP bio, physics, and chemistry. Both were accepted by their first choice elite schools.