<p>I’m currently a sophomore in an IB program. My GPA is 4.00/4.74 and I’m tied for valedictorian. For my junior year schedule, I decided to pick a “fun” elective as opposed to an AP elective. Due to impending budget cuts next year, the only AP classes that stand to remain and I have not taken are studio art(can’t draw) and US History. I would take US history, but because of IB my school is going to divide the class into the first semester of my junior year and the second semester of my senior year and there is an EOC that accounts for 30% of my grade that will occur in my senior year. My concern is that I will be tested over information I haven’t seen in over a year and I won’t be able to do as well.</p>
<p>Anyways, my question to you guys is: How do you think my decision to take an easier elective will effect my college admission? As it is not too late to change my mind: What do you think I should do? </p>
<p>Here’s a list of colleges I’m interested in:
Colgate
Fordham
University of Richmond
Elon
Davidson
Wake Forest</p>
<p>IMO, it will have no effect at all whatsoever on your college admissions… I mean to be fair, the colleges that you’re interested in aren’t even in the top 20 schools, I doubt they would care about one class. Even if you were applying to ivy leagues, I would say that the change is insignificant.</p>
<p>Depending on what APs you already took, I wouldn’t think it would make too big a difference. </p>
<p>However, I wouldn’t worry about taking AP history using the school’s new format. (Although, that’s a really weird setup–is that type of thing typical?) The grades for the second semester of your Senior year aren’t going to figure into an admission decision (unless, perhaps, you’re waitlisted.) You’ll want to avoid a low grade so that your admissions isn’t rescinded, but you seem like a smart enough kid that you’ll be able to handle the workload. And if you feel you haven’t remembered enough from the first half of the class, just don’t take the AP test. Or take it. Again, your performance on a test taken after you’ve committed to a school isn’t going to mean much.</p>
<p>History of the Americas?
I took the two year history class too. I barely received an A junior year but for some reason senior year was easier for me. I don’t think it’s a bad decision on your part. In fact, a two year class looks good. Also Wake Forest loves IB. I was accepted a few days ago and that’s probably where I’m going. </p>
<p>One easy elective wont kick you out of admissions because at the end of the day, your still in IB
Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>For those schools it may not matter. Still, I’d recommend taking the “most” rigorous course load, for two reasons. First, it will put you in the best position for whatever schools you may consider and second, the challenge is a good thing for your academic development.</p>