What do colleges like better?

Applying to College
1

I am currently a freshman in high school, and I’m pretty conflicted.

I have always wanted to be a biochemistry major, and my dream school is UPenn. While I am aware it is very difficult to get into this school, I have wanted to go there since 5th grade.

So, while going into high school, because I knew that UPenn was the goal, I took all accelerated honors class, but no APs because at my school you have to be a sophomore to take AP classes. So, because I couldn’t take any APs, for my elective I decided to take Studio Art because art is something that I have always loved. My initial plan was to just take art this year, and then sophomore, junior, and senior year take APs instead of art.

But, recently, I’ve been pretty conflicted because art is something that I still want to take, even though my schedule next year is full of high level courses, and, as of now, I have no room. So, basically, my problem is that I don’t know if taking an art class will help my chances with Upenn. I’m not sure which route to take: taking as many APs as I can or taking art along with APs (which wouldn’t allow me to take as many APs).

Would having art all four years (with taking AP Studio Art senior year) and minoring in Fine Arts help my chances at UPenn? Or should I just stick with taking APs? Likewise, does UPenn look for students that are mostly committed in one area or ones that have multiple interests?

Another problem is that if I do not get into UPenn, then me taking art all 4 years would have been pointless because there are no other schools that I would want to major in biochemistry and minor in fine arts at.

Again, I am aware that I am a freshman in high school, but I have to decide this now, and I really need opinions.

2

Focus on what you like better.

Also, don’t have a dream school.

3

I really need to add the below to Skieurope’s FAQ:

Applicants need to stop doing things because they think it will look “better” for colleges. It is the rare application/course schedule/EC that will “impress” admissions. Perhaps the AO that read Malala’s application was “impressed” but she set the bar high.

Do what makes sense for you.

4

I feel like you have internally glorified UPenn to be more than it really is. What is so unique about it? Where else can you find it that are more at your speed? Also, why take Art classes that restrict your creativity instead of joining an art group in your area and making it an extracurricular?

5

If you like art, you should take it!

6

Taking art and having an impressive portfolio may actually stand out more to UPenn admissions then a bucketload of APs, since at this point pretty much everyone loads up on APs. But aside from that, you should do what you’re interested in–colleges will see and appreciate your authenticity.

7

Take art. As Stanford put it, “it’s not a game of who has the most APs, wins” :wink:
What else would you be taking? You need English, foreign language, science, social science, and math.
You’ll need to build your college list from the ground up. That means, finding two affordable safeties.
To know what’s affordable, run the NPC on Penn and your state’s flagship, then show the results to your parents: what can they afford? (Ask them to sit down first: when they went to college, public universities were about $1,000 a year and Harvard was 18k.)

8

@Muad_dib Yes, this. Do not have your heart set on one school - if you don’t have at least one match/safety that you would be willing to go to, not getting into UPenn will be potentially devastating and could negatively color your entire college experience. Pick some safeties you are willing to attend and can afford.

My STEM D took 3 years of digital art in HS and loved it (entered/won contests, etc.). It has given her “ins” in college that she wouldn’t have had otherwise and helped her be a better communicator. Go with your passion - it will help make for good college essay fodder and make you a happier person.