<p>In my high-school, during freshman year we were to decide wheather we wanted to join the "Arts'' class or the "Sciences" class. I joined the arts class, were we take extensive courses in history and english as well as moderate courses in biology and maths inadditional to a few more additional subjects. However; most people in our school agree that the science class is more challenging since they take more courses and since the english course is nearly the same for both classes.
The other day I was looking through some Ivy league college websites and it said that it is important to have completed a year of physics and a year of chemistry.
I just sat there staring at the page and wondered if this was were I was to kiss my harvard dream goodbye...
But wait- does it really matter to the admissions office if I never sat through a chemistry or physics class before? even if I've taken challenging courses in the "Arts' section?
I was thinking if it does matter then maybe I should study alone to take the chemistry and physics olevel or SATII exams....is that a good idea??</p>
<p>what year are you in school? is it possible to git some science classes in? Or to switch to the science track? What kind of science courses are you taking? What sort of history courses would you be taking?</p>
<p>I'm a sophmore, I'll be taking AP european history next year and AP US history the year after that.
No, there is no way to get some science classes in, I'm already 2 years behind my friends in the sciences section.
<em>crosses fingers</em></p>
<p>Well, you're going to have to take chemistry and physics if you want to go somewhere like Harvard that "strongly recommends" or outright requires them. There's no way around it. Look for classes at community colleges or online courses.</p>
<p>can't you self study?</p>
<p>karanjanhra, thanks for the advice!! I think I'll try to look for an online course.
But what if I study alone (or with a tutor, since I'm so bad at scinece) for a standidized test in those subjects- which would be more widely accredited than an online course- would colleges look at it with confusion since I havent taken a scinece in HS? what about if I take both? would that be a better option?</p>
<p>Your school certainly seems to have a very odd system, forcing people to exclude half of their academic talents. I would both sit down with your conselour and tell her about the problems you're facing. Be sure to bring plenty of sufficient documentation that proves Harvard, and many other colleges you're looking at, reuqire these lab sciences. If you really can't take those types of sciences, I might also try calling the admissions offices of the schools you're applying to, and see what they would consider adequate in this situation. My guess is that SATII scores wouldn't bcceptable, but AP scores would likely lend a lot more weight. Keep in mind though, that it requires lots of time and effort to self-study for these types of tests. I'd also second looking into taking some community college classes. It's difficult though, because most courses in college and the AP tests are going to assume that you had a year of background in the subject, so really, start studying now.</p>
<p>I think as long as you explain about your school and do decently on SAT IIs (~650+) you should be fine, especially if you don't plan on studying science in college.</p>
<p>Also, regarding SAT II vs. AP: at least MIT says, SAT II almost always hold more weight, because whereas there are only 5 levels of "distinction" on APs, there are so many possible scores on SAT IIs, that it gives a higher-resolution sense of your skills.</p>
<p>^Seconded on the counselor thing. DEFINETELY talk to your counselor first about any community college or online courses you want to take and how they can be accredited in your school. You'll need your school's support on this issue; also, know that you'll have to get transcripts from those courses if your school's transcript won't record your grades in them (almost all the big colleges require transcripts for outside courses).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Your school certainly seems to have a very odd system, forcing people to exclude half of their academic talents.
[/quote]
It's obviously not a US school.</p>
<p>Yasmin -</p>
<p>Take this question over to the International Forum. Someone there will be more familiar with your questions, and will be able to help you.</p>
<p>To get to the International Forum, click on "Discussion Home" and then scroll down the page until you find it.</p>
<p>And, by the way, Harvard of all places certainly knows that international students do not have the same classroom experiences as US students. Ivy league institutions admit international students with Arts diplomas every single year.</p>
<p>ok I'll move it there then- I'm not very familiar with the forum yet thats why i posted it here.
happy mom of 1, you really took a huge load off my shoulders by telling me that I may get accepted with just the Arts.
tnx everyone for the helpful advice! :-)</p>