<p>My gpa is struggling due to some of my math honor classes. I've always wondered which looked better - an A in a regular class versus a B in an honors class, because i think it's best to drop out
Thanks for any insight. =]</p>
<p>depends on which college. If you go to a college that values rank over courseload (cough UT Austin) and you're set on going there, do what is more beneficial to your GPA. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, if you want to go to a higher tier U, you'll need to take the the "hardest courseload" regardless of the grade earned, unless it's a C or something ridiculously low. What matters is that you're learning at a higher level and doing okay/well, not that you're doing great a lower learning level.</p>
<p>Source: Personal Experience.</p>
<p>Both .</p>
<p>Most schools accomodate that "discrepancy" for adding 10 points on your grade for the purpose of calculating your GPA. Does yours? If so, it's not really a big deal.</p>
<p>GPA. </p>
<p>You can get into colleges with a high GPA but not necessarily with a good courseload. </p>
<p>On the other hand, you can't get into colleges with a low GPA, no matter how good the courseload is. </p>
<p>Many people seem to have a wrong delusion when taking more AP classes then they could handle... All those UC hopefuls trying to go to Berkeley after getting B's and C's in 4 AP classes... You'd have a better chance of getting with A's in all regular classes and good scores. People overemphasize the importance of a good courseload.</p>
<p>The UCs are heavily based on numbers,</p>
<p>but you'd fare better at an Ivy or holistic private school by getting a B or two in AP courses than by having all As in regular courses if your school offers advanced measures. Having a 4.0UW and no APs under your belt presents a competitive disadvantage in respect to those having a 3.7 or 3.8UW with 4 or 5 APs.</p>
<p>Then you face the impact of ECs, essays, teacher recommendations, and the all-important SATs. In the holistic application process, GPA is just another checkpoint, not a major deciding factor as long as it is within a certain range.</p>
<p>It all depends on what school you'd like to go to.</p>
<p>Source: Personal Experience.</p>
<p>^ I agree with friedrice. There are plenty of students who can earn A's in even the hardest courses offered at their school.</p>
<p>i'd rather go with the hard courseload. because, getting straight As with boring and easy classes is...well...boring..</p>
<p>
[quote]
depends on which college. If you go to a college that values rank over courseload (cough UT Austin) and you're set on going there, do what is more beneficial to your GPA.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, if you want to go to a higher tier U, you'll need to take the the "hardest courseload" regardless of the grade earned, unless it's a C or something ridiculously low. What matters is that you're learning at a higher level and doing okay/well, not that you're doing great a lower learning level.</p>
<p>Source: Personal Experience.
[/quote]
What she said...</p>
<p>challenge yourself in a way that you know you can handle.if you are good at hustory classes the take AP euro ap world etc......</p>
<p>dont take AP calculus bc if you suck at math just because its a hard class</p>
<p>You should get the A in the honors class. That's much better than any other option. That's what they say when someone asks that question at the Harvard info session at least (someone legitimately did ask that exact question when I was there).</p>
<p>Harder classes, but try to get A's in them. Don't take anything that is like pulling teeth.</p>
<p>Take the harder classes, even if it means getting an extra B or two. But from my experience, Honors classes really aren't that much more challenging than regular classes.</p>
<p>In my experience, teachers contribute a part to how well a student learns. If the teacher is a complete idiot and can't teach, that's absolutely fine in a regulars course in my school; just know how to write your name and read and you'll get a 90 and above.If that teacher teaches an AP course that you inherently do not understand, it is very hard (for me) to make that coveted A. I take honors and AP classes because they are a suitable challenge (and make me exempt from final exams); taking a regulars course, completely in my opinion, would be a waste of my time because a regulars course does not require critical thinking (in my school).</p>
<p>what about stanford?</p>
<p>When I was on the stanford tour, they said they want to see a focus... and they also said grades aren't that important. Grades will get you past the "first round", but they won't get you accepted. You need amazing ECs, essays, and recs for that.
So to show a passion/focus, def take harder classes (as long as they don't lower your GPA tooo much. Like an A average and a B/B+ in an AP class is fine)</p>
<p>take harder classes. I've noticed that taking harder classes has sharpened my problem solving skills and has made me actually smarter. It's like working out to build your muscles... you have to work out your brain to make it more adept. Taking easy classes and getting easy A's doesn't help with that.</p>
<p>I regret taking AP Chem so much.. it killed my gpa</p>
<p>Don't take stuff that you know you will completely suck at just because it will "look good". Take the challenging courses you know you will be able to handle!</p>
<p>I think hard classes, because high gpa can be caused by grade inflation.</p>
<p>In the OP's case, I would say the A in regular, because honors is practically meaningless.</p>
<p>If it was regular vs. AP or honors vs. AP, I would pick the AP. There has to be at least a chance for an A in any case.</p>