Biggest dilemma I've had in High School!

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
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Hello. I have been at the top of my class during both my freshman and sophomore years (the only two years that I have taken). However, I am in a dilemma between which classes I should take next year (junior year). Thus far, I have taken all of the AP classes that have been available to me, and have thoroughly enjoyed them.

However, counselors and teachers have told me that next year is the most important for colleges. My school weighs each of the three classes that they provide differently. They give +0 points for a regular class, +6 for a “pre-AP” class, and +9 for AP classes. Every single class that I have taken has been a combination of AP or pre-AP classes.

I only have a few days left for course selection for next year, and the counselors are not allowing us to change anything after the deadline. The problem is, I want to remain rank 1 next year, yet the ranks 2 and 3 in my class are only behind by decimals. If it makes any difference, I am hoping for a really good scholarship and admission to a good school (preferably to a school like Berkeley, but less selective ones will make me just as happy). I would say I am pretty well rounded as a student too, I am in JV baseball (that consumes most of my time, with practices that are 3-4 hours long), a leader in a business club (DECA) and state finalist in that too, and have a significant amount of community service hours. Next year I plan on joining NHS and Spanish National Honor Society. I genuinely enjoy everything I do, even though it does consume a lot of time. I have also taken the PSAT and gotten a 1320 (not that good, but I had just taken a few weeks of Algebra II). I plan on self-studying and practicing more this summer for the SAT/ACT.

Next year, I have chosen to take:
-AP Physics
-AP Chemistry
-AP English Lang
-Pre-AP pre-calculus
-Pre-AP French 3
?Pre-AP US History

Really my only question is whether I should take Pre-AP or AP US History. I would have taken the most rigorous classes available, except for US History if I decided to take Pre-AP. When I told my teacher and counselor I wanted to take pre-AP instead of AP, they dismissively replied with "Ok, but you wont be top of your class anymore."Apparently the people who are behind me in terms of rank ARE taking APUSH, plus all of the other classes I am taking. My question is, should I take pre-APUSH, and get a little more breathing room for my other classes, extracurricular activities, and for standardized tests or make my junior year a nightmare, but most likely remain rank 1? I would most likely be able to take on APUSH, but I would be killing my sleep, any social life, and time to study for the SAT/ACT. Is remaining rank 1 that important for colleges?

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“Is remaining rank 1 that important for colleges?”

Nope. Go with your gut and take the pre-APUSH. I’m surprised you are doubling up on AP Physics and APChem. Why not take something else in lieu of one of those and take the regular APUSH?

3

“should I take pre-APUSH, and get a little more breathing room for my other classes…”

Yes. Breathing room is very important.

“or make my junior year a nightmare, but most likely remain rank 1”

No. Avoid nightmares. Life is too short. You are doing well. It doesn’t matter whether you are #1, #2, or #3 in your class. It does matter whether you are happy.

“Is remaining rank 1 that important for colleges?”

No. Sleep is important. Social life is important. SAT preparation is important.

“However, counselors and teachers have told me that next year is the most important for colleges.”

I have read (from an apparently reputable source) that the number of US high school students who have been diagnosed with stress-related illnesses corresponds to approximately 1.2 million students. The number that are going to go on to Ivy League and equivalent universities is a tiny fraction of this. IMHO I don’t think that your counselors and teachers are helping you by trying to push you into more stressful classes.