"Whoever has the most APs wins"

[audiophile]

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."

You can read the entire letter if you click on "Great Words of Wisdom from Stanford U" here: http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/tpcounseling/ Should be required reading for many of the student members here and anyone encouraging "the most challenging courseload" for senior year.

[somebodynew]

Agreed. I've been trying to convince some of the people here of that, but it's not working.

Mind if I repost in the college admission/high school life sections?

[audiophile]

somebodynew,
Post away!

[mootmom]

Should be required reading for ... anyone encouraging "the most challenging courseload" for senior year. (emphasis added)

"... we expect that they have taken high school course loads of reasonable and appropriate challenge" (from the linked report)

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.

[audiophile]

mootmom,

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.

[anxiousmom]

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.

[over30]

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.

[garland]

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.

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.

[marite]

Adcoms are adept at talking from both sides of their mouth.

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

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.

[tkm256]

"Excessive" is when a student forces his/herself to take an AP class in a subject he/she detests just for the GPA boost.

[bluebayou]

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".

[marite]

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."

[bluebayou]

good point marite: its only the adcoms opinions that COUNT.

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.

[marite]

Bluebayou:

In my book, 3-4 APs in a year are plenty. Any more and it would be excessive. But I'm not an adcom.

[NJres]

You may find it odd for me to say this, as colleges like Stanford are often considered central to the problem.

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!!