<p>Let me qualify my statement. I don’t think it is important either, reality is top 100 HS on USNWR are probably asking chances for Columbia, Cornell, William and Mary, etc. Anyone who attends the top 100 in the nation is applying to UMD as safety and expecting at least Honors with some form of scholarship.</p>
<p>My point was on your same page. You need to remove emotional standpoint regarding school standing and look at it objectively as from a state ranking. Your GC will let you know. Like I said just because your school has a Banner saying School of Excellence does not mean it is truly competitive. </p>
<p>I also agree pre-calc hurts, especially if it is not honors, but again are you trying to enter as a music major? If so that will not hurt as much as being a general admit. My children know they have to be above pre-calc. Our DD did not take Physics, but she wanted liberal arts (Psych major), so we made sure she loaded up on that side, i.e AP Eng, APLIT. APGOV. APUSH, French 5, while she also had Stats (class past pre-calc). We addressed her college major and adjusted her sr schedule to give her an edge.</p>
<p>Don’t know your major, but I think you need to re-address the English electives to be competitive courses. Take AP Eng or LIT and then take APUSH. (caveat, I think APUSH can not be taken simultaneously with GOV). You need to show that with your gpa and SAT your course rigor is hard and that you are trending up.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>One other thing for the lurkers. Your gpa matters, and it matters alot! HOWEVER, a B(i.e. 87) in AP will be seen more favorably than an A(95) in Honors. The reason why is that the school is going to see you PUSHED IT HARD. You never coasted. The reason they care about this is because they know kids get to college and for the 1st time in life they are on their own. The kid in honors with a 95 had an easier course, the AP kid had to test the AP exam, and had “the harder route”. They will be seen as the over achievers who fight for the grade, the honor student with a 95 took the “easy route”.</p>
<p>You need to acknowledge that sr yr is not the coasting yr, it is the final push in the marathon and you need to pull it all out! Admissions sees your hs career like grad will see your undergrad…the whole pic!</p>