Weighted HS GPA (A+ in AP class=5.3, A+ in Honors=4.8, A+ in academic or non-leveled=4.3) : 4.38
Class Rank: School doesn’t do class rank
ACT/SAT Scores: Haven’t taken yet
Coursework
As of this year 9 honors, 2 APs, 7 non-leveled (electives or no honors offered) classes
Current/Sophomore: AP World History, AP Calc AB, French IV (currently taking)
Junior: AP Calc BC, AP English Lang, AP Chemistry (or DE Physics), DE US History, French V (planned)
Senior: AP Gov, AP English Lit, AP Comp Gov, AP Biology, AP French, DE Multivariable Calculus (planned)
Awards
A Honor Roll (every year except 23-24)
AB Honor Roll (23-24 so far)
Major international comp. District Winner
World-wide team comp. District Winner
Band won several state/national awards
Extracurriculars
HS Concert, Marching and Pep Band (been in band for 5+ years, held a minor leadership position, volunteered to help younger musicians)
Center Manager of a Non-Profit student-led tutoring organization (tutored & served for 3+ years total)
In several service clubs (& have some officer positions in them)
Founded a club for band
In a few Honor societies
Did summer research internship (& published it online) at accredited university
Danced for 9+ years
Schools
Not completely sure yet but aiming for schools like UVA (will also apply to some other VA colleges) and perhaps some out-of-state options.
I am unsure whether my extracurriculars are relevant, as well as if I should drop or add new ones that could benefit me. Especially living in such a competitive area I would really appreciate tips on how to strengthen my profile as I got the wrong start into highschool and joined most of my extracurriculars this year. I also need advice on if I should continue my foreign language til the AP level or drop it to take 2 different AP classes (ex. AP Comp Sci and AP Biology). Currently also taking business classes, unsure whether to continue or not (I am drawn towards continuing it as I did well at a business-related competition that I can only participate in by taking the business class). Also unsure whether to take AP or DE version of a class (for example physics and US History). Thanks for the help!
It is not always obvious now which will be better. Some things that could differ:
DE courses taken at the college (not “college in the high school”) can give you a taste of what college is like and how it differs from high school, so you have a head start on adjusting to college after graduating high school.
Whether AP scores or DE course will transfer better depends on the DE college and the college you eventually matriculate to after graduating high school.
If you later apply to graduate or professional school, DE college courses and grades must be included along with all other college courses and grades. AP scores generally do not count for grades from a college perspective.
On other subjects, will you complete all three of biology, chemistry, and physics in high school (they do not all have to be AP or college level)?
You need to talk with your school counselor or college advisor at your school who will know your school’s pathways best. This is a significant and confusing issue in Virginia, particularly NOVA and other areas with lots of competitive public magnet schools. UVA looks at rigor in the context of your school, as do the other colleges in the state, but in general UVA seems to be the hardest to get into among the state schools. Every year there are surprised parents and students (in real life and on CC)who do not understand their HS curriculum and options, and are surprised when they have all or almost all As, 8-10 AP and DE, and then do not get in. What they do not realize (usually because ranking is not released) is that there is a lot of grade inflation. In some schools with weighting systems similar to yours, the AVERAGE weighted gpa will be 4.3ish, but UVA typically only admits from the top 10-20%(varies by school). The entire top 10% can have more A+ than As in some schools. The path that colleges consider “top” could be taking AP in the school , vs DE. Even if it is not boosted differently for gpa, it can be assessed differently. IF the top quarter or more of kids take a 6th core course multiple years in HS and you do not, that will matter. IF DE is considered the slightly less rigorous path, that will matter. Your school advisors will know.
A few thoughts - it’s ok that you’re thinking about this - but it’s also early.
So relax.
Your ECs are relevant if you enjoy them and if you build tenure and impact. If you’re worried, for example, you want to be in poli sci and you don’t work for a congressman…don’t. Band is awesome - it shows commitment and you are showing leadership. Your other clubs are great too - and your dance - you’re more then good.
Do what you love - not what you think others will love!!!
If you love your classes you have, stick with them.
If your school offers APs, I’d take over DE.
Follow the path that’s right for you - and VA has tons of great publics - and you’ll find a wonderful home in state or otherwise.
Thank you for your advice! Yes, I am required to complete 3 disciplines of science, so I plan on doing biology, chemistry and physics (already finished Biology H and doing Chem H). At the moment I’m unsure which ones to do AP/DE bc I only have room for 2 of them (deciding between AP Chem and AP/DE Physics for next yr).
I agree with what you’re saying… I’ve heard how a lot of people esp from the magnet schools didn’t get in. The GPA inflation also scares me because I know several people with GPAs above 4.6-7. Thanks again for your help!
I second talking with your HS counselor…do you have access to them for schedule building/college planning purposes yet?
Do you have any sense of your class rank? If not that is something to ask your counselor to (they know, even if they don’t report it.)
It seems you haven’t taken any physics yet, so you will need that junior or senior year. AP > DE, generally.
If you take French V in jr year, it is likely fine to not take AP French senior year. I would recommend replacing that with a core course though, which AP CS is not. Again, I would talk about this with your counselor too…especially as UVA is on your list.
That’s a valid point, do you recommend me to drop the extracurriculars that I do not see potential leadership in (this is something I’ve also been considering, so I’m open to it)?
Thank you for the reply, and no I have not spoken to my counselor yet (I will soon but I am trying to gather advice/information before I confirm anything).
I am planning on AP Physics senior (but I’m very scared about taking ap physics since I’m worried it might damage my grades).
This is a good idea, but the only reason I am considering taking French V next yr is to take AP senior yr (otherwise I’d replace them with CS electives since I’ve heard they might be beneficial for an engineering major). My teacher & counselor did suggest I continue French because of my performance and it might also be beneficial for applications.
This means a lot, thank you. I’ve been very worried about my ECs esp since people in my class have a much stronger profile. It’s relieving to know that I’m on the right path : )
Think quality, not quantity. Just because they do more, doesn’t mean they get more credit.
You want to enjoy your life so pursue your passions. That shines through.
Serial swapping and embellishing likely also shines through - not in the best way.
You have ECs licked (in my opinion) - so the focus should be on the most important area anyway - academics and then test, essay, figuring out (not yet) but next year which teachers you link up well with to ask for LORs, etc.
You’re far ahead of the curve - and already in a fine position.
Yeah, that is a valid point, but I’m more worried about the teacher rather than the course (I’ve heard a lot about how the DE teacher is much better than AP), but I guess that I could attempt self-studying.
One of the UVA admissions deans runs a very useful blog called “Dean J.” She also posts weekly streams for interested students.
She has in the past strongly recommended 4 years across all core classes—English, history, science, foreign language, and math. I know some kids get in without 4 years foreign language, but it’s tougher.
Out of Nova, the UVA admissions rate is low. I believe SCHEV the state data showed 22% admittance rate 22-23 for Fairfax kids.
Good luck. Other than that I feel that UVA likes “leader” kids a little more, but all kinds of kids accepted.
Following that recommendation means that students in 6-period high schools (where stuff like health and PE also consume schedule space) have very little space for electives beyond that (including academic electives like CS, arts, or extras beyond 4 in a core subject).
My kid had a tight schedule of no electives for 3 years, so it’s quite doable. (Religion, Latin, modern language classes filled up the schedule.) He put an explanatory sentence on the Common App.
It’s tough for kids like mine who are very arts oriented. Our high school has a block schedule, so 4 classes each semester. If you want to be in band like mine, that takes up 2 of your 8 classes for the year. He was unable to take 4 credits of foreign language because there just wasn’t time. It may have hurt him with some admissions, but William and Mary liked him and he’s having an incredible experience there. I was big on having my kids be involved in what they wanted because that’s as important to them as academics. There is the right college out there for everyone.