If a student takes honors history and English and most of the available science / math APs how important it is to take AP English and history classes for Harvey Mudd?
OK. That was a bit off. What I meant was:
If a student takes most of the available science / math APs how important it is to take AP English and history classes for Harvey Mudd or are honors classes OK?
Cal Tech and particularly HMC do put a high value on doing well in non-STEM classes,
and expect that you will get A’s in either AP or H English and History.
As long as they are Honors, I think you’d be fine.
You would have to know what their peers are doing at Harvey Mudd…if they are taking All APs or just ones in STEM.
What makes this student stand out from other applicants?
You could look at the freshman profile and see the SAT scores for the middle 50%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 720–760
SAT Math: 770–800
https://www.hmc.edu/admission/discover/
I would think a techy school like HM would have people more skewed toward math.
Definitely take honors classes…it would that they prefer AP English (see below).
ALso look at their requirements:
Eligibility Requirements
Below is an outline of courses you’ll want to pursue before becoming a Mudder. If your school offers honors, AP or IB courses, we recommend taking them—especially in math, science and English.
We’re a community of people who like to be challenged, so the more you’ve challenged yourself in high school, the more you look like a future Mudder.
Science
At least one yearlong high school chemistry course and one yearlong high school physics course are required. A semester-long college course in each discipline (chemistry and physics) will also suffice. If you can’t complete one of these courses before high school graduation, you may still be admitted to Harvey Mudd provisionally, but you’ll have to earn an A or B in a college-level summer course before you join us.
Mathematics
At least one yearlong high school course in calculus is required. Otherwise, you must take a semester-long college course.
English
Four years of English courses are required. We expect all applicants to be good writers and speakers who know their way around an adverb.
Foreign Language
Two years of foreign language courses are recommended. Given the many study-abroad opportunities at Harvey Mudd College, it’s a great idea to develop your language skills.
Social Science
At least two years of social science courses are recommended, but three would be better, including at least one year of history.
https://www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/first-year-students/eligibilty/
Thanks! This is helpful.