Freshman Year (Last Year):
AP Human Geo (Semester) (5 on AP test)
Acc. Geometry
Acc. English I
Debate I (Semester)
Gym (Semester)
Acc. Chemistry
Spanish I
Early History of Mankind (Semester)
Sophomore Year (Current):
AP Psychology (Online)
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP World History
Spanish 2
Acc. English 2
Acc. Algebra 2
Sat subject test: Math 1 and Biology
Summer:
Acc. Precalculus (Online)
Junior Year:
AP Physics 1
APUSH
AP Calculus BC (Online)
AP English Language and Composition
AP Macroeconomics (Online and Semester)
AP Microeconomics (Online and Semester)
AP Statistics
Spanish 3
Sat subject test: Math 2
Senior Year:
AP Physics 2
AP Spanish Lang. and Culture
AP Art History (Online)
AP English Literature and Composition
AP US Govt. (Semester)
AP Comparative Govt.(Online and Semester)
AP Environmental Science
AP Computer Science A? (Semester)
Multivariable Calculus (Online or CC)
Linear Algebra (Online or CC)
I have straight “A” in freshman year and currently in sophomore year. Do you guys think this is rigorous enough for ivy league? I will also have sat subjects tests in math 1, math 2 and biology. I have to do some of them online since my school doesn’t offer them.
As an adcom I would wonder why you chose to take advanced math online while other classes in a school setting. Maybe I am biased but online classes in my experience are far easier and very mundane. Taking calc online I think is a major mistake. Also why are you taking 8 classes? Don’t you have other interests in life? The race for the most Ap’s may actually hurt your chances. Colleges while they want to see rigor they want personality. They want people who actually have a life.
Certainly take 20 AP’s if that’s what floats your boat, but it will not help you in admissions. In fact, if doing that many AP’s tanks your GPA and/or limits your time for things other than academics, it could hurt you.
Not related to AP’s, but since you mentioned it in your post: there is no reason to take both Math 1 and Math 2 Subject Tests.
When I saw the title I thought 'Argh, another clueless 8th grader or another AP addict". Anything like 20 AP classes isn’t going to cause the effect you want.
So, you’re a Sophomore and you’re trying your best to make yourself competitive for Top 40 Universities and LACs, I’m guessing.
But piling up AP’s isn’t the way to do it.
After 6-8 Ap’s the law of diminishing returns applies.
Dont take Math 1, it’s pointless if you take math 2.
Take Acc. Precalculus Junior year and Calc BC senior year, unless you currently feel very frustrated with Acc. Algebra2. Precalculus is going to the foundation for all further courses in the calculus sequence, you don’t want to speed it up, you want to have a thorough understanding of all the concepts.
Why take a class BOTH online and in class (I assume that’s what “online and semester” means)?
My recommendations:
Junior Year: 4 maximum
AP Physics 1
APUSH
Acc.Precalculus
AP English Language and Composition
AP Macroeconomics (Online and Semester)/AP Microeconomics (Online and Semester) [counting as 1]
Spanish 3
Art
Possible Sat subject tests taken in May/June: Math 2, US History, Physics
Senior Year: 5 maximum
AP Physics 2 or APES
AP Spanish Lang. and Culture
AP Calculus BC (Online)
AP Art History (Online) or another art class
AP English Literature and Composition or Honors English (depending on how much you love reading and classical novels)
AP US Govt. (Semester)/AP Comparative Govt.(Online and Semester) [counting as one ]
Possible SAT Subjects taken in November: Literature, Spanish, Physics
Not sure why govt, APES and art for an Ivy, instead of Euro. The original list looks like OP is stuffing in any courses to get the count up and I’m not sure how those help.
And what major? I’m not even sure AP econ and AP art are needed (especially if he takes art in 11th.) And waiting til 12th for AP math is tricky. If he wants stem, there will won’t be a full semester grade if he decides to go Early, no full year of grades, and perhaps not a calc LoR.
^I’m trying to make the planned schedule a bit less… exagerated and show OP how the schedule can be challenging yet balanced.
I suggested Art in 11th grade because OP wants to take AP Art History. Why not, it’s an interesting class, but more interesting if one has a little background in art. It’s also good to discover different skills and strengths.
I assume Econ and Gov are required for graduation and OP wants the AP version.
Wrt to Calc BC, I think it’s fine for senior year - running the risk of derailing the math sequence by taking precalc over the summer just to skip ahead and take calc junior year doesn’t seem a good idea, unless the student is currently champing at the bit in Algebra2. Students who start in Geometry in 9th grade end with calculus and have no problem in Admissions.
Many states have a gov/econ requirement for HS graduation even if going to an Ivy. Econ is just one of those subjects that everyone should have exposure to, IMO. Additionally, many HS’s have a fine arts requirement (as do California public universities for admission).
While I agree that the schedule does look like stuffing, sometimes one wants to take an interesting course like Art History that just happens to be an AP. As an anecdote (and I know that I always say that the plural of anecdote is not data), I took AP Art History in HS because I was interested in it (and it was one of my favorite HS classes in retrospect), and now I’m a junior and a STEM major at a college often mentioned on this site. Go figure.
IVYs are a bunch of big maybes ad extremely vague. one never knows but mostly along with high rigor in classes they look for something that has been achieved on a national level. it could be an award or even a voluteer opportunity which has taken you to that level. find your passion, instead of running behind the ivys. whoever said that IVYs are a make or break in life?! good luck
Just saying. OP hasn’t told us he’s
interested in art or that a year of govt or econ are required. (In some areas, it might be one or the other.)
Breadth is good, yes. But just from my perspective, the suggestions from Myos (and I do get that we’re just saying,) look like a high rigor humanities wannabe. I’m guessing this OP wants stem.
The way he did soph year, the only stem LoR from 11th or 12th will hang on that physics teacher.
OP’s going to need to give more info. But on the whole, kids trying for a stratospheric number of AP would benefit from rethinking in a more informed way.
If you want to get into an Ivy, you need to back down on the APs, and tell us what your extra curriculars look like. More than 8-10 APs will help you in getting into the Ivies. It is actually likely that it will make you miserable, and you will probably lack the ECs they are looking for because you spent every minute studying.
Consider adding gym classes and study halls junior and senior year. Then plan to do something significant outside of class related to your favorite subject to beef up your ECs.
I am in high school varsity tennis, 2nd degree black belt, Math NHS, Science NHS, teen adviosry board at the local library where I am volunteering. I will be in NHS senior year.
Don’t need national awards but if you want stem, math and sci nhs aren’t enough. Nhs in general has no standard values/process for getting in or the activities. You’ll need established collaborative math-sci ECs or the like.
