<p>My school allows high school students to take courses at Princeton University (a regular undergraduate course). I was thinking about doing that, as that seems pretty interesting. However, as interesting as it seems, I do not want to affect my chances of getting into my university of choice (Vagelos program at UPenn...crosses fingers). By taking a course there, I need to provide transportation there and back. Because of scheduling conflicts, if I end up taking one course there, it will fill up 3 blocks in my schedule (equivalent to three courses). Is one course at Princeton more impressive than three potential (likely AP) courses at my high school? Maybe if I take two courses at Princeton I can still only lose out on three blocks, but then again is it still worth it? Especially considering that getting an A in a course at Princeton will be exponentially harder than getting one in a course at my high school. I was looking at their molecular bio, orgo chem, and math courses specifically. I would really like to take a business-related course there, but I'm not sure if I can do that.</p>
<p>I would not sacrifice 3 AP's just to take one course at Princeton.</p>
<p>I wouldn't take an intro class at Princeton.</p>
<p>I'm not sure. I'm taking a full AP courseload at my school and taking an intro class at another Ivy. I probably wouldn't sacrifice the AP classes for a college class, but thats just me.</p>
<p>I would do it if they're post-AP courses.</p>
<p>If you can handle it and it challenges you...then why not?</p>
<p>It honestly won't look bad on a college application later on.</p>
<p>They're not intro classes. They're the classes an undergraduate would take after the introduction. For example, while the first class an undergrad would take in chem there would be Gen Chem or its equivalent, I will likely skip that. I would take the more in depth classes. I am not willing to go there for a worthless regurgitation of knowledge I already have. If that is the case, does it make it any more worth it? Also keeping in mind that I might be able to impress the professor there and get a future college rec...</p>
<p>As a student doing something similar (not at an ivy though but still a good school) id say go for it.</p>
<p>if you have a good school the AP class could be more encompassing so choose that. My teacher actuallly called some schools that wouldn't accept the statistics and multivariable credit and they admitted we covered more but still wouldn't accept credit. and they've also accepted credit for some people but not ohters (MIT, Dartmouth)</p>
<p>You probably should understand the Princeton grade deflation policy before you decide. Then consider that all the students in those classes will be the ones from the top of their HS curve. At the same time the Penn program only takes about 30 or so world wide so, you may be better off spending your time doing something else that would enhance you value to such a program.</p>
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[quote]
You probably should understand the Princeton grade deflation policy before you decide. Then consider that all the students in those classes will be the ones from the top of their HS curve. At the same time the Penn program only takes about 30 or so world wide so, you may be better off spending your time doing something else that would enhance you value to such a program.
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I believe they have a separate grading policy for high-schoolers. Because I know many people who have done that and all have gotten A's. All of them were definitely not Ivy-caliber.</p>
<p>haha DUDE. i take mat 215 analysis in a single variable at PU right now as a high school senior.. it takes up 3 out of 9 periods in my schedule (only 3 days a week. the other 3 days i have off)
here is my recommendation:
do it, but make sure you are choosing the right course. my friend and i were so excited about this whole thing, but now we HATE it (and aren't doing well, but then again, it's considered a hard course even by pton kids). the material is this crazy theoretical math that mainly only math majors take. make sure you look into the course topics before you choose!!!!! i can't stress that point enough. even talk to people who may have taken the course (on this site, at your school etc.). and if you feel like you made a mistake after the course begins, promptly switch before it's too late.
and the deflation is an issue, at least in our course. idk about any separate grading policy for high schoolers...</p>
<p>vagelos is one of my top choices too!!
i'm a somewhat zelda fan! haha</p>
<p>the other TWO days i have off*</p>