Hello everyone. I hope you are doing well. I would like some advice for my schedule as I am completely lost on what to do. Also, I would just like to state that I have already taken 13 APs and 4 college courses if this affects anything. Basically, I have requested some classes (AP European History and AP Art History) to take during school but I did not receive those courses. I am wondering whether I should take these courses at the virtual school or if I should leave those two periods in my schedule as empty spots as I am already taking 3 college courses and 2 APs at school. The only problem is that I will not be able to put those two courses on my transcript for Early Action / Early Decision (I think) unless there is a way to say the courses I am taking outside my schedule. Is it worth it to take these two courses through the virtual school or should I just leave it as 2 empty periods. I am trying to go to Emory or Georgia Tech and I am currently in the top 20% of my class according to the class rank. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
What does your schedule look like without these classes?
What do you want to major in?
Have you taken a foreign language through level 3 or 4/AP and all 3 from bio/chem/physics?
Please make sure you meet your HS graduation requirements.
Make sure you have 4 years English, Math, Science (with 3 labs) and language (at least 3 but preferably four.
It sounds like you have the highest rigor.
Why not ask your Emory admissions advisor ? Or at least hs college (guidance) counselor.
Are you saying you would have two study hall periods? If so, I would suggest you find a class for one of them. Speak to your guidance counselor. See what can be done.
It doesn’t have to be an AP class. Both of my kids took culinary arts for the full senior year…and loved it. Is there some class you might enjoy that could be taken during one period?
I am taking 3 Dual Enrollments, Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, and Macroeconomics. I want to major in either engineering or finance. I have taken all 3 sciences and a foreign language (Spanish) to level 4.
Most of the ones I find interesting or that are related to what I want to pursue are already filled which is why I am debating on whether to leave the period open or take it virtually.
If these are electives, which it appears that they are, it just appears as if you are taking them because they are AP. Not necessarily going to help you.
I would look for something related to your intended majors. Statistics. Any business class. CAD drawing. Computer skills.
Want to impress colleges? How about an intro course in a new language?
My wife is a guidance counselor and she books free periods for her seniors all of the time. It’s not the end of the world to have one.
Agreed with your guidance.
To clarify u think OP is concerned with two open periods, not one.
Are you saying your HS doesn’t have some courses that are fun to take…that don’t relate to college, but are enjoyable?
What are the three DE classes?
I would recommend taking Culinary arts or Personal finance to prepare you for adult life. One open period is okay.
Since you may want to major in engineering, I’d scratch Emory for a Miami or harder admit but Vandy, Rice or WashU.
Well, not Vandy - they don’t have finance.
Go to a school that has both majors.
If the Atlanta area is your jam, based on the two mentioned, your interests would align more with UGA (an hour away) than Emory.
Engineering at Emory is a five year dual with Ga Tech - that’s a year of lost income and of more tuition.
Always -in my opinion - pick major over school. To me, Emory doesn’t fit you. At least from what you’ve written.
Washu isnt a harder admit than Emory, also the vibe is different because the city is vastly different.
Two points:
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Emory doesn’t have the major.
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It’s almost splitting hairs but Wash U has higher average test scores, similar acceptance rates, and engineering is likely tougher.
But I’ll agree between the two it’s splitting hairs.
I mentioned the other schools because they are “like” Emory (Miami a bit easier) but most importantly have the major of OPs interest.
It is spitting hairs Emory has a lower acceptance rate 10% vs 12%. Test scores are close 1510/34 for Emory vs 1540/34 for WashU, but more students submit test scores at Emory. Also for finance, Emory is the clear choice out of the 4.
This is why I said drop Emory. If it was finance great. But it’s possible it’s engineering.
Even an SMU would be better in that sense (in addition to Miami) as safer but strong schools.
You should always choose major over school. If engineering is possible, Emory is not really a great choice….unless you want a year of more tuition and less earnings as it’s 5 years.
On the other hand, one could read “Engineering or Finance” as “a major that involves math and leads to a job”. It’s not passion for Engineering as afield per se, which is grueling even for those who love math&physics. As a result, I would advise this student
- to explore STEM majors in general and in particular what various Engineering fields entail in terms of curriculum and future jobs
- to see whether there’s overlap for these jobs with other majors
- for each university under consideration, to look into how easy it is to pivot from Engineering to something else - at some universities only freshmen can get into the business school so OP would have to choose as a HS applicant and would then be barred from the finance track (typically the most difficult to access); at other universities, the same is true of Engineering or both.
- for each university under consideration, how easy or difficult it is to complete the Engineering major with a minor. Some universities give a lot of AP credits, others don’t; some have a very rigid curriculum (often, only one class per semester can be chosen, sometimes zero) whereas others leave space for a bit more exploration.
Of course you can apply to different majors at different universities, ie., Business/ Finance at Emory, Engineering at GTech.
Assuming you’re in GA, don’t forget UGA and either Georgia State or Kennesaw for safeties+possibly one from Agnes Scott/Spelman/Morehouse/Oglethorpe.
Is there any non weighted class you could take during one of the free periods (Culinary Sets or Personal Finance to prepare living as an adult, or perhaps something like Robotics, Graphic Design, art history, music appreciation, sociology…)?