<p>Since I was ESL student in eighth grade, I was forced by my school to take all college prep and regular classes my freshmen year. As my high school career progressed, I showed my potential as a student, but because of school policies it takes two years to move from college prep and regular to honors and AP. So for junior year, I was stuck at the intermediate level called advanced between regular and AP, which I got 96 averages for every class expect for one. So, for senior year, I was able to take the course load of:
AP Physics C
AP Biology
AP Literature
AP Economics Micro and Macro
AP Calculus AB
Advanced History
where I have mostly 93+ averages for the first semester
I wonder how the weak course load in the beginning of my high school career will affect my application. If anyone has any insight, it would be much appreciated!</p>
<p>The rigor in your junior and senior year is the most important to us and the schedule you mentioned for your seniro year is rather strong. Depending on your school, it’s possible that the lower level courses earlier on impacted your GPA/rank (maybe they weren’t weighted whereas other classes were). If that’s the case, did you explain that in your application or did you counselor make mention of it? We’re always happy to review any extenuating scheduling circumstances.</p>
<p>Lower level classes did in fact lower my GPA and rank, and our school changed the weighting system my junior year which reduced the weighting of higher classes by 4 points. So everyone who took honors classes freshmen and sophomore had their classes weighted at 1.18 rather than 1.14. As a result, they had an inherent advantage in class rank. I consulted my guidance counselor on this issue, and I was told that my high school will inform all the colleges of the weighting change and weighted ranking system.</p>