<p>While browsing another thread here, I came across a link to a letter from Stanford regarding stress and high achieving high school students. Here's an excerpt: "One thing we are trying to do is dispel the myth that a curriculum loaded to the brim with Advanced Placement courses with no regard to a student's happiness or personal interests is a prerequisite for admission to Stanford. Such a course load is not required, nor is it always healthy."</p>
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Should be required reading for ... anyone encouraging "the most challenging courseload" for senior year. (emphasis added)
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"... we expect that they have taken high school course loads of reasonable and appropriate challenge" (from the linked report)
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I am on record elsewhere as recommending "the most challenging courseload" for senior year... for students who are excited about that and eager for it. Assuming that "the most challenging courseload" is an inappropriate choice for such students would be a mistake. If my S hadn't had the option of filling his schedule with the most rigorous courses, most at or beyond the AP level, he would have been bored silly and less prepared for the rigor he's already encountered freshman year (which he feels totally prepared for, by the way). You are absolutely right to note that this will not be right for every student and should not be assumed as a requirement for admission to top universities. My point is that for some students, it is precisely the right choice, and there is nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>I believe what the article was referring to was taking the most challenging courseload as a means to impress adcoms. If your son is excited to take the most rigorous courses, that is fantastic. The distinction is important, IMO.</p>
<p>I'm sorry - but I don't believe it. Stanford may CLAIM that, but I don't believe they will be accepting many students who haven't had "most challenging coursework" checked by the school counselor on the student's recommendation form.</p>
<p>I'm doubtful. Weighted GPA's factor in here as well. Without the same slew of AP's the classmates are taking class ranking drops quickly. The difference between 4 and 5 might not matter as much, but the difference between 4 and 8 is huge at our school.</p>
<p>I agree with the above; why do the GC forms for the college ask if they're taking the most challenging load, if they don 't have to? I think Stanford is being deliberately disingenuous.</p>
<p>OTOH, I think it's a mistake to advocate for schools putting in more APs in order to impress adcoms; they only care if you make the most of what you have, so I don't think you need to have more.</p>
<p>Adcoms are adept at talking from both sides of their mouth. </p>
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curriculum loaded to the brim with Advanced Placement courses with no regard to a student's happiness or personal interests is a prerequisite for admission to Stanford. Such a course load is not required, nor is it always healthy
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<p>The operative words here are "filled to the brim," in other words, excessive. It does not mean "don't worry, be happy." It means we DO want to see a slew of APs, college courses, whatever is most challenging; just not an excessive number of them. What constitutes excessive? I have no idea.</p>
<p>IMO, excessive means taking all academics in lieu of that passion-thingy. All classes and no ECs is nearly auto rejection, even if a kid completes 15 APs. OTOH, 3-4 AP's senior yr (if offered), plus that passion = "healthy".</p>
<p>Yeah, but the problem is, is it excessive from the adcoms' point of view?
Don't get me wrong. I supported S1 against his GC when she urged him to take APs in subjects he did not care about; and he did get into some top LACs. But schools like HYPSM seem to have different ideas of what is "excessive."</p>
<p>good point marite: its only the adcoms opinions that COUNT. :)</p>
<p>OTOH, for many Calif kids, taking 3-4 APs senior year is sorta standard, since Gov and Econ are required for HS graduation, so kids just take the ap version (but may or may not take the test -- gotta pay out of pocket). Add in Lit and/or math (Calc or Stats) and/or a science, and voila, AP's aplenty.</p>
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You may find it odd for me to say this, as colleges like Stanford are often considered central to the problem.
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<p>So the purpose of this letter is to absolve Stanford of any responsibilty for any stress related disorders in high school students. Remember, it's not our fault!! :)</p>
<p>Here is MIT's take on this, right from their web site:</p>
<p>High school preparation</p>
<p>A strong academic foundation in high school both improves students' chances of getting into MIT and helps them make the most of the Institute when they're here. We recommend that our applicants' high school years include the following:</p>
<pre><code>* One year of high school physics
* One year of high school chemistry
* One year of high school biology
* Math, through calculus
* A foreign language
* Four years of English
* Two years of history and/or social sciences
</code></pre>
<p>Overall, we look for applicants who have taken and succeeded in the most stimulating courses available to them. Please note, though, that this doesn't necessarily mean signing up for every AP class on the school's roster. We're looking for students who follow their passions and take pleasure in challenging themselves.</p>
<p>If your son or daughter doesn't feel challenged by the courses offered at his or her high school and would like to explore other options, you may want to consider local college extension or summer programs.</p>
<p>Because MIT deals with thousands of high schools around the world, we know that not all "A"s are the same, and we take that into account as we consider each application.</p>
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If your son or daughter doesn't feel challenged by the courses offered at his or her high school and would like to explore other options, you may want to consider local college extension or summer programs.
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<p>So, do not fill your schedule to the brim with APs. Consider taking college courses, summer programs, instead. Not exactly a recipe for a stress-free career for most students. S took APs and college courses because he thrives in such courses and does better in them than in (what to him are) unchallenging ones, but that's just him.</p>
<p>I think Stanford's adcom was trying to convey a message similar to that posted on the MIT website. While other members here may construe it differently, I believe there are limits to written communication: 100% precision/accuracy is sometimes difficult to attain.</p>
<p>The best way for the HYPS to dispel the "myths" would be to disclose better statistics, even if they undermine their reputation for selectivity. Right now, it is very doubtful that they could upgrade their average SAT by too much or reject more valedictorians. Yet, most of the documents they produce seem to reinforce how selective the school really are. It would nice to see them SHOWING they truly believe students should regain some sanity. </p>
<p>It is one thing for the dean of Harvard to write that sweet report on the need for students to rediscover their summer, and it is another to stop REWARDING the students who do just the opposite and spend a small fortune advertising their own summer programs. In this regard, I realize that there are some extremely valuable programs such as RSI or PROMYS. The attendees of such programs could not find a better summer camp for FUN. It is also very doubtful that the main motivation of those students is to impress an adcom. On the other hand, how many students found themselves FORCED to attend summer programs that might LOOK good. </p>
<p>It is rather unfortunate that HYPS may be blamed for the escalation in "expected" curriculum among HS students. Those schools, however, set the standards for all others and are often emulated if not mimicked. The slightest change or statement by HYPS is scrutinized by hundreds of thousands. It would not be THAT hard to send a clear message that future limits will be imposed on "expected" APs' just as limits are imposed on additional information or recommendations. </p>
<p>Without some limitations, we may very well read about the student who was rejected by Lucky U despite having taken all of the 34 AP tests available -or 40 0r 50 if The College Board continues to succumb to the pressure of groups that successfully lobbied for the addition of the AP Italian Language and Culture, AP Japanese Language and Culture, AP Chinese Language and Culture without which the life of most US high schooler would not be complete.</p>