<p>I'm a freshman in high school and I really want to go to a top engineering/technology school. I love math and science but I'm not the biggest English/history fan, and I know for a fact I will never pursue either of them in college or my career. I am, however, currently in all honors classes (including English and history), and I was recommended for AP European history for sophomore year (only about 20 kids were recommended out of 350). I'm already set to take honors precalculus, honors chemistry, honors Spanish, and honors English, and I'm not sure whether to take AP Euro. </p>
<p>Colleges always say to do what you love and not to only try to impress them. The only reason I would take AP Euro would be to impress colleges. I have absolutely no interest in it (in fact I would dread taking it), and I would rather not have the extra work if I can avoid it. I would much rather take the non-honors government and Middle Eastern studies semester courses instead. </p>
<p>My guidance counselor told me that not taking AP Euro as a sophomore would significantly reduce my chances of getting into a top engineering school, even if I take other English/history AP's throughout my junior and senior years. A family friend who got into a top engineering school (out of my high school) last year said he chose to take neither AP Euro nor honors English sophomore year, even though he could have taken both. Another family friend asked the head of admissions at his school (Wharton), who said that I should definitely take it.</p>
<p>I'm getting mixed messages from all around and I'm very confused. Assuming that my grades are up to the standards of the top schools, and that I take many other AP classes later in high school, can I afford to not take AP Euro as a sophomore? I would greatly appreciate any advice.</p>
<p>There are plenty of students that don’t take AP classes as sophomores - a lot of schools even forbid it - and the majority that want to go to a top school still do. One AP class isn’t going to make a big difference in admissions, especially since you already have a rigorous schedule with all honors and plan to take math/science AP classes in future years.</p>
<p>The only way it might affect you is if your counselor checks the “very rigorous” box vs the “most rigorous” box when filling out the forms for applications if necessary. And that won’t make or break you as long as you have good grades in the AP classes you do take.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to take AP Euro - don’t. It’s not going to help you much, one extra AP doesn’t make a big difference, and many sophomores aren’t allowed AP classes so an admissions officer that sees an all honors sophomore year schedule won’t be concerned. Just take the classes you want.</p>
<p>I agree with the above poster that not taking AP Euro as a sophomore likely won’t have a significant impact on your admissions, since you are taking a rigorous schedule. However, something you may want to consider is if schools you might want to go to accept the AP Euro test for credit or not. If it can knock out a requirement during college, it may be worth it to get it over with now (but this will depend on the college and the major). Especially if it’s not something you enjoy, it may be easier to do it now and then you get to take more classes that you’re interested in in college.</p>
<p>The majority of people have been telling me exactly what these first two replies say. However, I’m still troubled by the fact that my guidance counselor and the Wharton head of admissions both said that not taking AP Euro would hurt me. Why would they say that? Do you agree with them?</p>
<p>I’d rather not take it if I don’t have to. I’ve never been a big fan of history, and I had a horrible teacher this year. However, I do want to go to a top engineering school and I will do what I have to to get there. </p>
<p>I mean, would MIT or Caltech really care if I took a single non-honors history course my sophomore year?</p>
<p>Well, that one AP class can affect your rank and gpa and it tells colleges if you can really handle it: remember: take the most rigorous courses possible. I’m taking it this year and its worth a try. Just do it!!!</p>