loumat4

Within my high school, there are "University Programs" to which you have to apply, the ones they have don't really interest me, but they're a more "specialized" track, and some would say it was harder. (although AP courses and whatnot are for everyone) Would it look bad to colleges if I wasn't in one of these programs, and just instead had a fabulous GPA and SAT scores ec, etc?

mom2collegekids

Which colleges are you considering? Some might care, some might not.

Does your school list these "University Programs" on its School Profile that it sends with transcripts?

loumat4

Well- Cambridge is my first choice. I'm guessing they're not going to care as much.
Yale is my second choice, U of Chicago/University of Michigan are others I'm looking at. I'm also applying to Columbia as a legacy.

I think they do put it on the transcripts, yet I'm not sure if it's something they would care about given that the university programs aren't in areas I'm interested in. (business, med, engineering, communications, performing arts My intended major is philosophy.)

Do you think it will be a major factor if I'm not in them? It's extremely upsetting to me because I can't be valedictorian because of these programs, since all of the classes they take are honors, and therefore weighted, but these classes aren't open to normal students. Therefore, when I hate 5 APs, and 2 "normal" electives, they take 5 aps and 2 honors electives. Hence, even if I get straights A's, there GPA still has the potential to be higher.

happymomof1

loumat4 -

The most important thing, is for you to do well in courses that are interesting and challenging for YOU. Do not waste your energy fretting about how you will look if you don't take a particular course that you absolutely would hate. Life is just too short for that!