Should I switch?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hello, next year I'm taking three AP classes (English Lit, Psycology, and US History). The people I've asked said US History is pretty tough, but I like all three of those classes, those are interesting subjects to me. The only classes I really struggle in are Math and Science, the latter of which I had an easy teacher for this year so I easily got an A. However, I've taken Honors math classes since 9th grade, and have only been able to get a C every semester. Not to mention I hardly understand anything. I'm just not a math person.</p>

<p>Should I go with regular Math Analysis for next year? I can probably get an A or a B, and the work load would be easier, allowing me more time to focus on APs. Or would that look worse on college apps?</p>

2

<p>The opinions here might not be of much value; curriculum differs greatly throughout different schools, and some people here easily take 6-8 APs in one year.</p>

3

<p>Oh yes, my school is on block schedule, and it's a six-period year. And how do APs affect one's GPA?</p>

4

<p>APs are usually weighted more than standard and Honors classes.</p>

5

<p>I've always heard take they would rather see a B in a more rigorous class than an A in an easier class. My D put that to the test and got into Vandy with a low 3.-something UW gpa.</p>

6

<p>Colleges will understand if you get a bunch of Bs in AP classes, as long as you pass the AP test.</p>

7

<p>I don't even know that passing the AP test is a pre-requisite. D scored a 2 on the Chemistry exam. Ironically enough she is a rising ChE major.</p>

8

<p>I heard that a lot of the best colleges don't take Chemistry scores for some reason.</p>

9

<p>Could be. All I know is it is one of her better subjects and she flamed out on the AP test.</p>

10

<p>I tend to flame on essays and I can't get the 8 on the essay like I normally get on practice tests in class.</p>

11

<p>Some things to consider:</p>

<p>While colleges do want you to take the hardest possible courseload, they also want the best grades. Kids who take the hardest class in every subject and don't maintain good grades (mostly A's, maybe a few B's in subjects clearly outside a student's bounds of interest) are less attractive than those who have maintained A's and only a B here-and-there with <em>slightly</em> less intense workloads. Your workload looks good already.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind that an honors math class, especially if you genuinely don't understand the material (new math builds on the old, so if you've never really understood, it only gets harder), will detract time away from your AP's. No need to sacrifice the subject material you love for a math class that only looks good if you get an A or B. </p>

<p>Think of it this way: If you have a focus in the humanities and have exhibited that with EC's, adcoms start to see a person emerging from the page, someone with pursuits and passions. They will be impressed (well, it takes a lot to <em>impress</em> the adcoms, but they still notice) by your AP's in those subjects. On the other hand, if you stretch yourself across an honors class, barely a step up from standard, get a C in that and lose out on A's in your AP's because of stress, you seem like you're less capable of handling a heavy workload. I know a girl who got into Williams and took IB Math Studies, the lowest level. Like you, she just really sucks at math, doesn't get it. Not stressing about maintaining a halfway decent grade in Math Methods or Calc, she was able to take AP electives and focus on her love of theater and art, which she pursued outside of school as well as in. She's also val because of her grades, something that wouldn't have happened with the other math track.</p>

<p>Be a person, not an admissions machine. For some reason, that seems to be the track most appealing to both adcoms and to you--good luck!</p>