D20 is starting on her list. Problem, while D17 knew her major, D20 does not. Just knows it will be some kind of science, leaning towards something where she can work outdoors. Started ADHD medication during sophomore year leading to increase in test scores and grades. Is diagnosed with dyslexic dysgraphia but currently has no accommodations.
ECs (I know these are not important for app, but are important for understanding her outlook): cross country running, swimming, Girl Scouts with emphasis on primitive backpacking and conservation, plans to apply for student conservation program next summer doing trail maintenance or other service in a national park for 4 weeks, lifeguards every summer.
AP’s so far:
9th
HUG 4
10th-
AP Euro 5
AP Comp Sci A 5
PSAT- 760 math, 700 verbal
Planned
11th-
AP Lang
AP Physics 1- C is not offered at our school, teacher has suggested she take the C mechanics test instead of 1, we had not thought of that but will consider
AP Calc AB
AP Chem
AP USH
Predict she will max at 760 again on the PSAT math and 800 or close on SAT. Hoping verbal goes up some. So 1500 to 1550 likely for SAT. Would expect 5’s in all AP’s except Lang.
12th is pretty wide open. No other AP Physics offered at our school. AP Bio, Environmental, BC, and both Econs (combined one year class) are all possible
Last year she spent spring break at St. A. Went to math and chem classes with sister. Like the classes (even understood a lot) but thought the town and university were too small for her.
Cambridge Natural Sciences seems ideal, but I know it is a long shot. Any other flexible programs for science? Other thoughts?
The most flexible programmes are in Scotland. Very little movement allowed at English universities. My son chose the US because he didn’t know what he wanted to study - especially at 17 when they are having to make that decision. Lots of his friends are at Glasgow and really love it. Not sure of your daughter’s grades as I really haven’t got a good handle on the US way. But for Cambridge (and St Andrews) you are looking at A*AA. That pretty much is the best you can do. If she is as good as your other daughter she will have a chance.
@Whistlingal, the NatSci programs allow flexibility to choose among several fields in science (and several non-science fields, in the case of Durham). The setup of each are all different, though.
Also look in to Arts& Sciences courses like UCL Art&Sciences.
As the OP knows, AP scores are the most important.
In her perfect world she would take chemistry, physics, math and comp sci classes, maybe geology and then narrow down. And never take another non-math or science class.again!
As I’ve mentioned previously I think Cambridge is somewhat skeptical of Americans and whether they would accept an offer. I would think about picking a college, contacting the director of studies and planning a visit next spring/summer to make your interest clear.
It’s also an interesting question of which college to pick (less competitive vs more competitive), since even though the standard is nominally the same, I’m somewhat doubtful that will always be the case. For a girl in science I would certainly consider picking a college with one of the highest male to female ratios: my college openly expressed concern in July that not enough girls were applying, which suggests IMO that being a girl could be a tiebreaker in your daughter’s favor.
Leeds and Lancaster both have interesting courses as does Reading with it’s physics of the environment. A quick look at the UCAS course search under the broad heading of physics yielded a few more as well.