Okay so I go to a top 5 hs (in NYC)
Here is my sophomore workload:
AP WH
Honors Algebra II/Trig
European Literature
Honors Chemistry (SAT-level)
Spanish II
Math Team
Comp Sci
How good is this for Ivy leagues and other T20 schools?
I am in no way qualified to say if your schedule is rigorous enough for a T20 or Ivy League school, but I’m a sophomore at a top ~ 5-10 hs in MN and here’s my schedule:
Honors Biology
Engineering 1
Honors English 10
Christ’s Mission (Mandated religion class)
AP Human Geo (first year offered at my school)
Spanish 3
AP Calc AB
Both of you seem to be in good shape. You’ve both got rigorous classes and you’ve captured all the cores. How well you do in these classes is the next piece of the puzzle.
Beyond that, it’s tough to chance a sophomore. You don’t have test scores yet, and you’re probably (hopefully) developing in your ECs. But good luck to you both!
Both of you are good wet rigor.
Make sure you have 4 units of English and social science/history, foreign language through level 4 or AP, math through calculus (or Precalculus+ AP stats if applying for art/humanities), bio, chem, physics + one of these AP.
Total APs should be 6-8, indicating what you’re interested in (ie., 4 in the above core subjects and 2-3 in what you’re interested in.)
Also, what are some good ECs?
Find one or two activities. Reach national level or have a deep impact through them.
How can I reach national level?
Certain competitive clubs attend regional, then state, then national competitions, anything from science Olympiads to cyberpatriot competitions. There are a lot of them in all kinds of areas of interest from STEM to fine arts. Your GC can tell you what clubs at your school might participate. Each school can only offer so many choices, though, so if none of them interest you, it’s perfectly fine to chart your own path by participating in things that you are more passionate about, but showing progression in level of challenge, leadership and/or skill as you move up through high school.
Note that for those students who have to help support their families and don’t have time or money for competitive clubs, progressing in challenge, leadership, and skill can apply to babysitting or part time jobs too.
FIRST Robotics, DECA, Science Olympiads, Science Fair/Siemens…