xueqizhang

Hi everybody!
recently i am very struggling with my senior year in high school, because:
1. i am an international student who came to U.S last year as a junior. because i didn't know anything about AP,Honors and CP at that time, school only assigned me CPs when i came here. when i realized it I changed all of my classes into Honors except ESL and theology, which only have CPs. okay this is only my basic information
2. as senior year begins, i initially signed up for AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B and AP English. but after two weeks i was overwhelmed because I was also working on TOEFL, SAT and essays like that. so i dropped AP bio. since I have nowhere to go except CP Geology, eventually i dropped from AP Bio to lowest CP geology, besides the AP bio teacher isn't very dedicated.
but it was a stupid mistake. i also had chance to change to AP Chem but i hesitated because i didn't want to take 4 APs at that time. but now i found AP Physics, AP english Calculus are really easy for me. so i became super regretful about my decision of dropping bio. or at least i should have changed into AP chem, because i did pretty well in Honors chem last year.
i know college really looks into the rigor of my curriculum. so is my schedule challenging enough? i am also taking French III Honors. I didn't take French last year but I past a test so i am eligible to take French III this year.
i am also taking art and civics, that is required for graduating from my HS.
but ever morning when i am sitting in geology classroom i just hate my decision and keep blaming myself. but sometimes i am also thinking about if i didn't drop bio i may not achieve 111 in TOEFL or 2040 in SAT. but i feel like i am taking too many CPs this year.

i am applying for Cornell Tufts Stanford U of Rochester UChicago U of Denver Northeastern and Vassar.

I have a 3.9+GPA, math team captain, national honor society, varsity swim team member, JV tennis, varsity cross country, student council, philosophy club, farm volunteer.

so guys, what should i do? it's too late to change my class. if i INSIST on changing it i might do it but i gonna have tons of work to catch up and i am still struggling with SAT ( I am retaking it+subjects ) and college essays.

i am super worried about the rigor of my curriculum!

Crimsonstained7

You'll be fine. The Guidance Counselor should make everything abundantly clear. However, if you don't get at least a 2100, you probably won't be competitive for some of those schools (Standford, Cornell, UChicago, maybe Tufts and Vassar). Your EC's are VERY good though, as long as you're dedicated and have some leadership in there.

Carla2012

Taking AP Bio or Geology will not affect your acceptance. Its one class. For course rigor, they will be looking at 4 years of classes - not just senior year. And you are still taking a hard schedule. On the other hand, a higher SAT score could easily affect your acceptance. Doing a good job on the essays and applications will affect your acceptance. Getting a bad grade in BIO because you dropped and re-added the class would also negatively affect your application. This sounds like it was a fine decision - move on to the next decision.

Good luck.

xueqizhang

thank u so much!!! i feel so much better now!!!!

xueqizhang

can somebody else also say something? i really need to hear more opinions though!!!!

jennieling

I agree with everyone above. They are looking at four years of classes, not just senior year. Also, 3 AP's is fine for senior year. My son is taking 3 AP's (Lit, Psych and Chem) plus Multivariable Calc at the University (comes after AP Calc BC) this yr as a senior. How many AP's and Honors did you take as a junior? I know that you did your first 2 yrs in China, and they likely have a very different curriculum there. Also, I agree that for Stanford and Cornell you want to try for over a 2100, ideally over a 2250, on your SAT. Also, SAT II tests would be helpful for those two; I'm not sure if they are needed for the others on your list, which are not quite as selective.

BeanTownGirl

Tufts requires 2 SAT subject tests unless ACT+writing is submitted. Not sure of the others.

xueqizhang

thank u guys! but i am still very stressing and keep blaming myself about that stupid dropping class decision.................. : (

xueqizhang

...hate myself so much...

BeanTownGirl

Stop thinking about the class you dropped! You have to look at the BIG picture, one class among so many taken in high school will not make a difference in your life!!!
You need to focus on what you have control over and learn to deal with the rest. You have control over how hard you work in your current courses, test prep, college applications, EC's. The rest is out of your hands.
Just make sure you have a good list of colleges that includes some solid matches and safeties in addition to the (mostly) reach schools you listed above.
Life is short, try to enjoy high school! Once you get to college you will look back and wonder why you stressed so much about getting in.

M's Mom

This kind of self-flagellation is totally ridiculous, xueqizhang. It's just one class and it isn't going to get you in or keep you out of anything.

I also find your list of colleges somewhat baffling. They don't seem to have much in common. Why is Vassar on the same list as U of Denver and Cornell? How are you choosing these schools?

xueqizhang

Hi! Thanks for replying!
I chose Vassar because of its STS program. I chose U of Denver because I have a friend went there, and she strongly recommends the business and pre-med program to me.
Cornell offers food science major, which I am very interested in.
I am still not very sure what exactly I want to major in. But each college that I am applying to has special program/major that I am interested in.
I think I am just really fussy about myself and just want to stay on top of everything, and this is "unhealthy." Thank you guys now I feel better about my decision. I have more time for applications and SAT, this is great.