<p>I heard that colleges think that if you suddenly boost your performance junior year, than they think you're slacking. I'm a sophomore, and it's my first year of high school (moved from Bangladesh). My performance isn't horrible this year (I'll have a few EC's, volunteer hours, 3 honors classes, no APs, and probably a 3.8 UW cumulative GPA), but I want to get into a really selective college, so I plan to really boost myself up next year (3 APs, more EC's). I'm afraid colleges will just think I'm just trying to look good for junior year and not take me seriously. I really had no idea of how things work in the American system until a bit before this semester (my guidance counselor was no help; she sugarcoats EVERYTHING).
So will colleges think I was slacking sophomore year?</p>
<p>No.(filler)</p>
<p>They will see that you made an academic improvement. This can only be a good thing.</p>
<p>You will not be seen as a slacker. Keep challenging yourself, but don’t go crazy. If they are offered at your school, take a few APs your junior and senior year and you will be fine. You can ask your h.s. GC for advice on what courses to take to fall into the “most challenging curriculum” category at your h.s. Best of luck.</p>
<p>If you go with the less rigorous schedule, you’ll appear a worse candidate. If you pick the more rigorous schedule, the adcoms might think you’re slacking. </p>
<p>I don’t see how the latter option is any worse than the former option. The only difference is that you’ll come out with better stats with the latter so it’s definitely the better decision.</p>
<p>No, it’s a good thing. Aim for the more rigorous one.</p>
<p>For a recent immigrant to start with a 3.8 and then increase rigor is admirable. Nobody will accuse you of slacking.</p>