What if your counselor....

<p>What if your counselor checks the box for Very Demanding coursework instead of Most Demanding. I remember reading once that this drastically hurts your chances at HYPSM. What if your coursework is just as demanding or even more demanding than other students at your school who got the Most Demanding box checked off? Do colleges take note of this? Or do they just go by the counselor's check mark?</p>

<p>Apparently there are courses offered that your HS designates as Most Demanding......do you know what courses they are? I think most schools send a profile....a description of what courses are offered and what % of kids take them. If you feel that you were treated unfairly by the counselor I would ask about it. What motive would the counselor have to mark you in a way that was innacurate?</p>

<p>well its just that, ive taken about as many APs as anyone at school, and im pretty sure most of them got the most demanding box checked off
is it possible that not taking one course could keep you from having the most demanding courseload? at my school APUSH is considered the class with the most work by far, and i didn't take it junior year. But I did take 4 APs, while most people with apush only took 3. I just don't get it.
I dont think i was treated unfairly, the letter is very good after all, just the courseload boxes are messing my mind up</p>

<p>You have every right to question what the check mark indicates. You shouldn't have to feel awkward or badly about yourself if you inquire. Be thoughtful about what you say and let the counselor know that you feel awkward and believe you were treated unfairly.......there is nothing wrong about that.</p>

<p>thanks hazmat, ill do that
but if it turns out that its like school policy that none of the top boxes are ever checked, or if it is indeed true that for my school, students must have taken apush to have the "most demanding" courses, am i royally screwed for the top schools? please tell me honestly</p>

<p>First of all remember that the adcom can see your HS transcript and see what courses you took. Ask your counselor for the school profile that they send with each application......read it and see how they present your class. That is more important than any "box" checked on the application. If you still feel so worried you can always phone an adcom.......now would be the time and chat w/ them for a minute. They don't have you application yet and they may be able to ease your mind or suggest an action of remedy. Adcoms will talk w/ you now but do it soon if you really feel you have been wronged. What classes taken will show definitely. I don't think that adcoms will gloss over that for certain.</p>

<p>
[quote]
but if it turns out that its like school policy that none of the top boxes are ever checked, or if it is indeed true that for my school, students must have taken apush to have the "most demanding" courses, am i royally screwed for the top schools?

[/quote]
that's exactly what my counselor told me! she also checks the "strong" instead of "most demanding" , and when i asked her about it, she says "it's school policy not to check the highest boxes"</p>

<p>what i did was, in addition to the adcoms seeing "further maths" which is the TOUGHEST subject we can ever take, my teachers agreed to write in the recs that I "have taken the most demanding and toughest courseload"</p>

<p>thanks for all your help hazmat, you really made me feel better about my situation
i just realized that my school also has the IB program, and since im not in it, thats probably why i dont have the most demanding coursework possible, totally fair on my gc's part i guess. I just hope that the other gc at my school doesn't give his kids "most demanding" even if they aren't in IB</p>

<p>banedon, im guessing u go to a public school too? we can wallow together in our misery...</p>

<p>IB is not the answer to all applicant dreams. The curriculum is restrictive and perhaps you chose to take courses that the IB schedule would not allow you to fit in! Always look for the positive way to present your decisions.....someone just may ask you about it sometime.....I'm sure you had a good reason. Good Luck and I hope you get a fat letter in the mail.</p>