<p>I just finished my sophomore year and I am in the IB program. So far, I have taken all MYP (Honors) classes and 5 AP/AICE Classes. Next year I will be taking all AP Classes. I am signed up to take both AP Macroeconomics and AP Environmental Science over the summer, but, if I'm being completely honest, I am only taking these classes to improve/ retain my class rank (I am currently ranked 10 out of about 500 in my grade) and to get to have the classes on my transcripts. Pretty much all the students at my school in the top 10 at least are dual enrolling or taking classes over the summer to get ahead, so if I don't take these classes, my rank will most likely increase. Will colleges actually care if I have these extra classes on my transcripts or if I am ranked in the top 20 instead of 10? Is it actually worth it to work all summer for these reasons?</p>
<p>In short, no. Be a kid. You don’t get summers off forever. And class rank is a lot less important than you realize, particularly if accompanied by substantial rigor. There is no rank above “most rigorous” or “most academically qualified”. Do something fun and interesting.</p>
<p>Colleges want people to have a life. They want more than just good test scores and stats. They want to see that the student they accept will be a real person and have real passions for activities and subjects. They won’t be impressed by a student enrolling in all those classes just to get more AP classes. As long as you take the hardest level classes that your school offers and you do well in them, you will be fine. Class rank doesn’t matter as much. They’d rather see you be a real person. </p>
<p>Do something interesting this summer. Maybe do an independent study on something you are passionate about. Try to learn a new language. Do community service projects. Raise money for a foundation. Just do something in your free time- this will give you something to write about later on. The people who get into the top schools have good stats, but they are more than just a robot with perfect statistics. </p>