For a bit of background information, I am a sophomore who is at the top of their class (teetering between 1st and 2nd in terms of class rank, although I personally am not phased by it and just wish to remain in the top 5 or so of my class) and has really begun to branch out in terms of extracurricular activities this year, holding an officer position in one club and being a member of several others. This year I have been heavily involved in my school’s Mock Trial team. I also partook in Mock Trial last year as well, however due to an incident our instructor was unable to lead us halfway through the preparation for the tournament and thus we ceased meeting for the rest of the year. Next year my school is looking to implement major scheduling changes that would permit each student to have two slots available for electives. The only elective that I am currently taking is art, which I am anticipating on dropping next year. We have not yet been made aware of the new variety of electives which will be made available next year as a consequence of the schedule changes, although I am starting to contemplate my options. My instructor for Mock Trial this year is planning on making it a class next year, rather than having to stay after school a couple days a week as is the current situation. Therefore, if I wish to continue with Mock Trial in the future, which I most likely do as I am aware that not only do colleges like to see involvement but they particularly like to see dedication and commitment in an applicant, then I would probably have to select the class as one of my two electives. However, I personally feel that I would benefit far greater from taking two science electives, since I wish to pursue a career concerning medicine or medicinal research in the future. Additionally, I am also faced with the dilemma concerning choosing electives with a particular weighting, because in my school one’s GPA is weighted according to the level of each class an individual takes. My average would be impacted if I were to take a non-honors course because they are weighted .03 less than an honors course. Since we have not yet received any specific information highlighting the new changes to be made for next school year and the myriad of new opportunities/classes it will afford us I am unaware if Mock Trial (or even the science electives which I am hoping will surface) will be given an honors weighting. Therefore, I’d like to ask for some advice on what course of action I should take - continue with Mock Trial and utilize my second elective to study a topic pertaining to my anticipated field of study in the future (with no guarantee towards the honors weighting, albeit it is possible) or take my two electives in the science department (or even mathematics department as I also enjoy math) and hopefully receive honors weighting in those courses, which is also a hypothetical.
Well I would think that taking two elections in the science or math department would be more useful. You could also maybe try to find a club in your school related to that field, and continue it for the next two years if you would like to show participation and dedication. But in the end, it is really about which subject would you more enjoy and like to take, and it is up to you to decide
1° Colleges don’t use weighted, but unweighted GPA. Often, they “reweight” it or cut out some classes (health, PE…) They’re really not interested in 0.3 differences, especially when they apply to weighted grades.
2° The most important thing for you is to have 5 “core” classes every year, that is: English, Math, Science, Social Science, Foreign Language.
3° If you’re aiming for competitive universities, 5 classes a year (not necessarily core) would be Honors OR AP.
4° If you intend on a STEM major, doubling up on a science (ie. taking Honors Chem and Honors Bio then AP Chem and AP bio, or AP Chem and AP Physics 1 one year, AP bio and AP Physics2 another year) would be a possibility junior and senior year. Having all three of bio, chem, and physics at honors or AP level would be best (1 unit each if possible).
5° Beside the core classes, you can take anything you like. It’s important to take classes you actually love, and to be able to express why you love those classes.