<p>I have two options for high school....an average public school with no AP courses, and no IB program. In addition to attending this school...I would take online AP courses..probably three a year. Then, there is the other school. A good [above average] public school that offers the full IB diploma program. The obvious decision is to go with IB...but I've heard it's difficult to get 7s, and that you have A TON of homework....and tht doesn't appeal to me at all. So, which school? Incredibly high GPA, tons of ecs, and online ap courses [which shows initiative] at the first school.....or IB at the second. Just for the record, I'm a grade eight student in Mississauga, Ontario....and I'm in a regional gifted program...and have a 90+ average. </p>
<p>btw, i play competitive sports [hockey and lacrosse, looking to take up rowing], and I have dynamic personality and like writing and giving oral presentations.</p>
<p>obviously the latter. and as DwightEisenhower said, if you want to attend Harvard, you must get used to doing a lot of work and loving the fact that you have to do a lot of work. btw, i have not taken the IBs before so i do not know anything about it. but then i’m certain that AP tests are not that hard, and the difficulty of AP classes vary depending on the teacher; usually AP classes are just a bit harder than regular high school classes. on a second thought, if the school is good enough, certainly they will prepare you well enough for the test. don’t worry, just study, and good luck!</p>
<p>Harvard admissions strives to weed out people who try to fill out a formula. They are looking for people who really push themselves out of genuine desire. </p>
<p>You have a lot of changing to do if you’re even going to be remotely viable for a college like Harvard.</p>
<p>Thx for the first two replies! T26e4…stop being so…superlilicious…how do you know what the admissions people do? And also…I can do lots of work…he’ll my grade eight teacher gives us three projects a week along with five or six tests. It’s just that I want time to do ecs. And also…one of my friends went to a mediocre public school and got accepted to Yale.</p>
<p>from an interview with Jeffrey Brenzel, Yale’s admissions dean:</p>
<p>Quote:
“A few of our applicants shoot themselves in the foot. What concerns me more are the number of high achieving students whose lives are governed by what they, or perhaps more often their parents, imagine is going to improve in some slight way their chances of admission to this or that particular school. Exploration and growth serve a student best for the long run, both in education and life, not the construction of a perfect resume. We try as best we can to distinguish the one from the other.”</p>
<p>Harvard and Yale look for similar qualities, I think you’ll agree. The second school’s distance is an issue. However, top students can shine anywhere. Perhaps it’s your nearby school. Your friend is a good example. I’ve seen these “diamonds in the rough” in my 20 years recruiting for an HYP as well. For you, perhaps stop trying to find “the formula”; go out and do something. </p>
<p>I would say this emphatically: only top scholars are viable candidates. Your aversion to “lots of homework” is an anchor around your neck and speaks volumes to your gap now and that of a viable Harvard applicant later. Try to throw that off or alter your Harvard aspirations.</p>
<p>Sorry if I come off as “supercilious” – not my intention. Best of luck to you. You have a tough choice to make. If you were my kid, I’d try to make it happen for you to go to the 2nd school – if that’s really what you want.</p>
<p>You’re right…my apologies. Also, perhaps my impression of the IB program is wrong…is it really an insane workload? The thing is…as I said…I am in grade eight now, and its not uncommon for me to have two hours of homework a night…I’m a very driven student…but I like playing sports as well</p>
<p>Having re-evaluated my original post…I have to say…its the difficulty level that turns me off…not the work. Is it VERY hard to get a 7…would an elite university prefer a 4.0+ gpa in a regular school with online ap courses and extra classes… or possible 6’s in the IB program.</p>
<p>Do you use ellipses as prolifically in your “writing comps” as you do here? </p>
<p>But seriously, to echo what everyone else has said, I’d pick the second school. Also, colleges don’t regard awards received before freshman year, I think.</p>