<p>I'm 14 years old and in middle school, I get mostly A's and some B's(i am a high honour roll student), got advanced on both my math and reading 4sights(used to test us for PSSA and determines what classes are for next year) I'm really worried about college because, I want to goto penn(philly), my brother went to temple and he's the most inspirational person to me and works in philly. I'm interested in buisness and they have a great buisness program; I want to know what I need to do to get in.</p>
<p>I've spoken to my guidance counselor and he says i'm doing pretty well, but i'm not in algebra 1(advanced) but i'm the top 3 of my pre algebra class and next year I have to take alegbra 1 and I can take geometry the next semester, is it going to affect my chances? It's a requirement to know it but do selective colleges care? Any tip or helpful ideas will be greatful thanks.</p>
<p>You’re already worrying about what classes you’re taking? Relax a little. </p>
<p>Colleges don’t even see your middle school grades. Just try to get accepted into an alright or decent high school that offers a good variety of extracurriculars and AP classes or IB program to expand your horizons. </p>
<p>If whatever high school you end up going to offers calculus for juniors or seniors, then it should be okay. Some people get into Wharton even when their high school doesn’t offer calculus.</p>
<p>I goto public school, and speaking with my guidance counselor he said we will be picking our classes in april or may when the high school counselors come over, but what i’m worried about is taking regular classes(not honours because freshman don’t have AP) is gonna ruin my chances of getting in when they look at my record. Yeah i’m very anxious about my future, like my parents were both immigrants and they grew up poor and never went to school, I want to do better than my brother cause I heard even after graduating temple his job is hard.
thanks</p>
<p>No, taking regular classes won’t ruin your chances because that is only what your school offers for freshman. Colleges will be aware that advanced classes aren’t offered to freshman at your school, and they can’t fault you for what your school doesn’t provide. </p>
<p>For instance in my high school, we are not allowed to take any AP classes until junior year. Even in junior year we are restricted to only 2 AP classes and in senior year we are restricted to 4 AP classes. Students at my school can only have a total of 6 AP classes under their belt by graduation (the average student in my school takes 5 or less), and 6 is usually considered a small amount compared to people in some schools who can take 10+ APs by graduation. But plenty of students at my school still get accepted to Ivys and prestigious schools despite this “lack” of advanced classes on their transcript. (But note that if you’re not taking advanced classes, you’ll be expected to get mainly straight A’s.)</p>
<p>Both my parents are also immigrants who never had the chance to graduate from high school. I got accepted to Wharton this year. Just remember to keep trying and working hard, and seize all opportunities that are available to you. :)</p>
<p>first generation helps but won’t get you in with on-level classes in what sounds like an uncompetitive school. Start getting good at sports or look into going to a magnet program imo.</p>
<p>Are magnet programs like summer school or going outside of school to learn more about a specific subject? And about on-level class in a uncompetitive school, does going to public school put me at a disadvantage to those who goto private? After my freshman year I will take as many honours/ AP(seniors only) classes as I can.</p>
<p>You need to not worry about getting into Penn right now. You’re young, enjoy life. Worry about this stuff in 3 years.</p>
<p>magnet is a special program at a public high school - they are tough to get into.
No, private schools will not necessarily beat you out but from the sound of it, your school puts you at a disadvantage if not in admission alone, than definitely in the Penn curve.</p>
<p>But your goal right now should be to enjoy life, work in school, find a passion and get involved. College will work itself out later.</p>
<p>I hang out with my friends in school, play call of duty, read and beginning to learn piano; I do all that and still have fun, however I still want to do very well beginning of freshman through senior year. My high school has a course selection guide in pdf, <a href=“http://hs.nazarethasd.k12.pa.us/administration/davis%20documents/Course%20Selection%20Guide%2009-10.pdf[/url]”>http://hs.nazarethasd.k12.pa.us/administration/davis%20documents/Course%20Selection%20Guide%2009-10.pdf</a></p>
<p>thanks for answering some of my questions, i’m curious do you think my school has good classes(or extra curriculars((i’m willing to take any) and which should I take if I want to get in?</p>
<p>you want to take every single AP class on that list (starting page 96) and you want the rest to be honors. </p>
<p>Don’t tailor extra curricular activities to college. Do stuff that genuinely interest you. If your school does not have a club that accommodates your interest, start one!</p>
<p>NAHS is a fine school. Just work hard, enjoy life and you’ll be fine.</p>