I am going into my junior year this august and my report is pretty awful to be bluntly honest. It’s a 2.65625 cumulative I believe with several shortcomings, and even a F and that in the easiest class available, Success 101 in freshman year. But it is highlighted by instantaneous resurgences like As in AP World History and Algebra II. But for next year, I am taking 3 AP classes (lang, chem, and us). I guess the question I want to ask is whether I should go on and self study for more AP classes and what should be recommended (in terms of resources). I am thinking about self studying for Macro and Micro econ which just seem very interesting as well as physics 1 since want to pursue a engineering career. Not sure about physics 2 but I am considering the first. Should I take caution and play it safe? Or should I go all out and take them for a chance to get into State University to do mechanical engineering? Additionally what prep books are recommended for econ, physics, and especially chem ( 5 steps to a 5 vs. Princeton review). And also should I really be worrying about the latest editions or just do with 2020? Would appreciate any response! Thx!
" F and that in the easiest class available, Success 101 in freshman year." Was there a reason?
Can you clarify what you mean by “instantaneous resurgences”? Did something happen that made you get really high grades after not such great grades? Is it something that a guidance counselor should address in the letter of recommendation?
If your school offers AP classes, colleges are most impressed by high grades in those classes. Self studied APs don’t count for much and can be frowned upon if it seems that the student is just trying to impress. If you want to take AP exams for credit or placement, go for it. But don’t expect it to make up for low grades.
On the other hand, if your school offers very few APs, and the subject is interesting to you, there’s no real harm in self studying IF it doesn’t interfere with your grades and other activities. Just don’t expect a big payoff if you try to self study for a lot of them.
Grades in HS courses are much, much, much (did I say much) more important in the admissions process than AP scores. I’ve been told by more than one admissions officer that they don’t even use them for admissions (they’re “placement” tests - that’s what they’re used for).
Focus on coursework and get the best grades you can.
I would agree with this, but “if it doesn’t interfere” is a huge caveat. Your GPA indicates to me that it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Yes. I guess we can all unanimously agree that GRADES are definitely the top most priority (followed by extracurriculars and test scores) . And like I have said I am trying to focus on ones that can actually help with credits in my major later on and actually correspond to what I am trying showcase my strengths in for the most part. Otherwise, I am also trying to take caution since I don’t want to be that guy who takes a ton just because and gets overconfident and ends up with tons of twos. My school does offer plenty of AP classes, probably above average. But not that many in STEM majors, it offers Chemistry, Calculus AB and BC, and lately Statistics and Biology have been removed ( I think not enough people took Biology including me and they couldn’t get a teacher for some reason after the old one left just the year I was about to take it for Statistics). Otherwise it’s all good since colleges also consider what you make of resources available. Thx for response.
By instantaneous resurgences, I mean I just got much much better grades in specific courses like AP World History and Algebra 2 while simultaneously get lower grades in other classes like Spanish. Perhaps it might be something for my counselor to mention. I didn’t know we can really dictate or tell them about something to write down. Also I can’t really make up excuses for my shortcomings in success 101. Let’s just say my freshman year was a pretty down year for me. Thanks!