<p>So, my sophomore year, my guidance counselor said it was school policy that sophomores couldn't take any AP classes.</p>
<p>Then, this year, I found this sophomore girl who was in like 3 of my AP classes, and she said that there was no such school policy, and that her counselor lets her take whatever she wants (we're assigned counselors).</p>
<p>Now, I only have 5 AP classes taken in my junior year, and I'll be taking 5 my senior year to make 10. But will colleges even see that I have 10 AP classes, or will I just be applying with just 5 under my belt??? </p>
<p>I got a score of 5 on four of the AP tests I took, if this helps.</p>
<p>I just can't get over the fact that none of this would have happened if my counselor hadn't lied to me. I hate him. The end.</p>
<p>Colleges will know you are still taking AP courses (your transcript will show current courses and usually you have to list courses you are taking senior year in your application). Having ten is generally more than enough to show any college that you are taking the most difficult courses.</p>
<p>Since it’s in the file readers’ best interest to know your qualifications, why do you suppose they would discount your entire Senior year schedule? Considering that about a third of most people’s AP classes are there – they’ll just look at you and assume zero? Does that sound sound?</p>
<p>Have you asked your guidance counselor why he lied to you? I would put it in writing to his boss, because if he lied to you he is probably lying to others. When it comes down to it, he could affect the future of students and potentially face a lawsuit if the right family wants to push the fact that he lies and doesn’t do his job properly.</p>
<p>Is it possible that your guidance counselor made a mistake? Even if not, it might be best to approach it from that angle so you seem less hostile even if you intend to and do get your GC in trouble.</p>
<p>No, he did not make a mistake. It has been like this for my entire time at school. I don’t want to say it’s race-related (I’m black), but I don’t know… maybe it’s just me?</p>
<p>He has always tried to get me to take easier classes, or has tried to keep me from taking extra classes (I take a class every summer of my own will, and I’ve always had to go through hell to sign up for them).I am in the top 10% of my class, do well on standardized tests, so there is not question I can handle hard work.</p>
<p>He even told me that I have little chance of getting into my dream college (I never asked his opinion) and recommended easier colleges that are, frankly, an insult to the hard work I’ve put in over the past few years. </p>
<p>But, thanks for the comments. I’ll try not to worry about it!</p>
<p>It also is possible that the school’s policy changed. If fact, it may have changed in part because you were such a pest about it with your GC and he told the policy makers that her was tired of having to say “No!!” all the time.</p>
<p>You may want to consider having you & parents talk with the Principal, explain what happened & ask to change counselors. Your GC will have to write a letter of rec. on the Common AP. & check if you’ve taken “the most rigorous” course schedule offered at your school. It doesn’t seem like you trust your GC to put you in the best light.</p>
<p>Hey dude I wouldn’t assume your counselor is being sleazy. I was told no APs in soph year but other kids took them. The truth is, the only people who get around the rules like that are kids whose parents complain and ***** the counselors into submission.</p>
<p>@Yan—No need to dwell on the fact that you are black and your GC gave you a hard time… because there is NOTHING you can do about it. I had an issue with my dd14 taking an AP class in her soph year. And yes, there had been others who were allowed to take AP’s in soph year in the past. I was told by her GC that she could not take the class and the only person who could approve it was the principal…Did I focus on that during my uncomfortable meeting with him? NO… what I did focus on was the lack of rigor in the school and how she deserved/needed more challenging classes! Her frosh year was filled with painfully easy classes where she waltzed through with straight A+'s… and yes, they were honors classes. I was told by her principal that she would fail and she would not be able to drop the class when she was flunking out. And that she better not come to him when she is in trouble… because she would have to deal with the consequences… and guess what??? Her final grade for the AP class was an A- and she recieved a 5 on the exam… unfortunately he retired this June, but I am sure he will get word through the grape vine… what matters is that dd14 had a kick a** teacher and worked her butt off all year… she said her final was much easier than the AP exam itself!!! That in in of itself is the best revenge… her success!!! </p>
<p>It would not be smart to alienate your GC… bottom line is, you need him! He will be the person who mails your transcripts etc to the schools when you apply to college. Your best revenge? Success… plain and simple. Let your college acceptances speak for themselves… Never ever show any type of hostility. It will only hurt you in the long run. You will get more bees with honey than you will with vinegar… </p>
<p>You should also involve a parent to ensure that all of your required materials get mailed to the colleges in a timely manner. You don’t want to risk him not sending out what is needed! Stay on top of things from early in your senior year/befriend him… Keep a calender and take responsibility for your apps!!! I am sure you can call/email the schools to make sure all required items have been recieved before the deadline. Don’t leave it up to him. This is YOUR future. Not his… Good luck to you…</p>
<p>Thank you very much. I actually am “friends” with him, in the sense that I made it my business to meet with him every three months from since freshman year.
The bottom line is there have been several incidences that have undermined my trust in him; it’s just that this last grievance (AP #) is what may affect my applications the most.
I think what I will do is to get another counselor to submit my apps for me…</p>
<p>Again, thanks so much to all who have answered!</p>
<p>@Ryancoleman1214: I think this could very well be the truth. Counselors and other administration are usually pretty stringent when it comes to students, but are quick to kowtow to parents. You only mentioned the one sophomore girl who got past the rules, so the thought of a guidance counselor bending the rules to please an angry mum or dad is not out of the question.</p>
<p>That being said, from your other posts it does seem like your guidance counselor is rather unhelpful. If you feel that your counselor really is truly not fond of you (instead of simply just unhelpful - remember that counselors sometimes deal with hundreds of kids so s/he may not be trying to be intentionally hostile), you can try switching.</p>