Advice for former IGCSE student in US

MYOS1634
Sun, 10 Nov 2019 22:28:13 +0000

You need to complete a certain number of credits, or full year units, in several subjects. Because in the US there is no national curriculum with an external exam except in AP and IB, each high school decides the minimum required to graduate - which is different from what you need to go to college.
Typically, a HS requires 20-22 academic units, with 4 units in English and at least 1 in US history, plus 3 in math, 1-2 in social science, 0-2 in foreign language, 2 in science. Sometimes, you can take a semester-long class for 0.5 credit, such as Photography in the Fall and Sociology in the Spring, then the following year Drawing 1 in the Fall and Current Events in the Spring, each for 0.5. Drawing+PHotography =1 full credit, Sociology+Current events=1 full credit.
WHAT they are exactly is up to you, but if you wish to go to a selective 4-year college you better have a mix of Honors and (in sophomore year if allowed, definitely in junior&senior year) APs, including 4 units in English including AP English Language, 4 units in math including precalculus or calculus, Foreign Language through level 3 or 4, Biology+chemistry+physics+1AP science, 4 years of social science including 2 history classes and 2 others (history, geography, economics, political science/government, or psychology), one in art, and whatever else interests you from choir to robotics to graphic design.

What sort of maths (Pure, Higher, Foundation?)
At least you’re qualified for AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Physics 2 [you could take ONE junior year and ONE senior year]; depending on the math IGCSE qualification, you should be ready for AP Calculus A or Precalculus Honors; APES and AP Human Geography would both be a breeze; AP English Language; for history, in 11th grade you’d take US history honors (a US history course is required for graduation); you need to take a foreign language, didn’t you study another language for IGCSE’s?