Hi D is junior. Got class rank as 45 out of 796, had taken some classes that she explored her interests in even tho they were 4’s so her rank suffered. Has Unweighted GPA of 3.95 with weighted at 4.59. She has a SAT score of 2370 and got a 1500/1520 on her PSAT so am hoping she can be national merit semi finalist. She has already taken 2 AP classes Comp Sci and World History with a 5 in both. Below is her Junior and Senior year schedule.
Junior Year Schedule
AP Physics, AP Spanish 4, AP English Lang, Pre AP Calculus, AP US History, AP Psychology, Speech, Choir.
Current Senior Year Schedule
AP Chemistry, AP European History, AP Economics, AP Government, AP English Literature, AP Calculus BC, AP Human Geography, Health, Choir
The question is about AP European History. She has only one spot and she is debating between AP Spanish V or AP Music Theory or AP European History or Pre AP Computer Science III.
She has taken Spanish I through IV from eighth grade onwards , computer science I & II. She loves Choir and was thinking of using Music Theory to explore her love for choir and could also be used as an elective for college. Could folks offer some suggestions on what they think the best route would be. She plans to do Computer Science or Bio Medical engineering but plans to continue choir in college. Thank You for any insight.
Since she already did 4 years of Spanish and has tried many history classes, Comp Sci lll or Music History make more sense. Now between these two, Comp Sci would make more sense if she wants to major in it. However, let her decide or she’ll regret not having the decision power.
I’d advise she drop AP Human Geography , [which is known to be a wimpy AP class] and take AP Music Theory and Comp Sci. instead.
Agreed. Human Geo is a freshman course in our area.
Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately Health is required in their school to graduate and since that is half semester the only other half semester option was AP Human Geo or Study Hall. She is planning to do Summer School so cannot do health online in the summer which would other wise open up the space in her schedule to drop Human Geo and choose one of the other options.
Is it possible to fulfill health requirement by CBE(credit by exam)?
Then have her do study hall. She will have , in addition to all those classes what amounts to a part time job- the whole college applications process , which takes up a LOT of time during the first Semester of Sr year. Many Srs have NO idea how time consuming it can be. So insist that she give her self a break during this all important first semester.
Taking easy AP classes for the sake of filling up a schedule will not impress ANY admissions office. Trust me.
She can make much better use of her time with study hall- to fill out applications, write and re writeessays, as well as study , or do homework for classes so her first semester grades dont DROP.
That is another option and it would lighten up her load but I wonder if colleges see it favorably or unfavorably. Our counselors say that some colleges prefer a B grade over study hall or office aid to fill up your schedule.
@menloparkmom : Thank You. I will have her do that.
@WorryHurry411 : Not sure if that is an option. Will have her look into it and if it is not will follow advice from menloparkmom and have her do study hall instead.
That will leave the debate between Spanish V or Music Theory or Comp Sci III which is Pre AP and from what we are hearing the teacher is not really putting effort in that one. So basically that leaves the choice between Spanish and Music Theory. Should she continue Spanish for the continuity and foreign language on her resume or would Music Theory or Spanish not make too much of a difference. Thank you for all of your insights.
I think AP Music Theory will set her apart from other students. And bring her joy.
And AP comp science III will help her in college more than she knows, regardless of the teacher.
She will need computing and coding skills sooner than she realizes, and would be well advised to learn them sooner than later.
@menloparkmom : Thank You for your insights. Will give the various options to her , thank you again very much.
@WorryHurry411 : Thank You for your time and your insight today.
No problem. Best of luck to your daughter.
You DO realize [I hope ] that if she is a NMF there are LOTS of colleges that will pay her to go to college??
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/
@menloparkmom : Yes, I do realize that. That is a topic for another day. I know some folks on this site have had their kids choose not to go to Ivies and save the money with going to one of these colleges instead. Will look into that through the threads. We have seen one thread about Alabama and their CBH honors program. Will look at the various threads on that and I am sure will post some questions for the great community on this site for help. Thanks again.
FYI, USC[ Southern Calif] #25 UNSWR offers 1/2 tuition scholarships to NMFs who are accepted and declare USC to be their first choice. .
They also offer 150 full tuition scholarships each year[ those are as hard to get as admissions to S or H]
DS had stats like your DD and although he was accepted at 10 top 20 U’s, he decided to go to USC, and is now at Caltech getting his PhD.
If saving that kind of $$ is of interest to you , have her finish her application to USC by their Dec 1 deadline in order to be eligible for scholarship consideration.
@menloparkmom : Thank You for that information. I did not realize that USC had that. Yes, we are middle class so basically make too much for any aid, though we have tried to save and ensure we will have enough to take care of any college she wishes to go to. That would still be substantial savings for us taken away if she goes to Ivy without aid. If she can get into something like this that would be substantial savings for us which she can use towards her masters. If you do not mind can you share how many universities he had applied to and how he came up with his list. What are the criteria both of you used to come up with his list. Would you also mind sharing his list if it is okay with you. Also, we have not called or visited any colleges, did it make a difference that we need to call or visit before applying so college things we are interested. Thanks again for all of your help .