I go to a pretty competitive highschool. And I struggled with the amount of APs I took this year and my grades went downwards from freshmen year. I earned 4 Bs and 4 As compared to my 7As and 1B freshmen year. I took 5 APs this year and 1 standard 2 honors classes. If I get straight As from here on out will my awful sophomore year still prevent me from going to a high tier college? By this I mean ivies, Berkely, UNC, etc. I’m extremely stressed and I’m not quite sure what to do.
I am so not the expert here on high tier colleges.
I currently have 2 kids in college. One went away to school for a year, then decided he wanted to come home, attend community college, and join the fire department. He made Deans List last semester-- a first for him-- and recently received a commendation from the fire department for his service to the department. He’s flourishing.
My older daughter just finished her freshman year at a state school in NH. (We’re from NY) She LOVES Plymouth. She has absolutely found her people, found her place. She’s never ever been happier.
My youngest is still in high school.
I’m also a high school math teacher in a college prep school. We had graduation last week. Of the 519 kids who graduated, 1 is taking a gap year; he’ll be working with his dad in the family business, learning how it all works. Two have enlisted in the military. And every other kid will be attending college. The schools range from the Ivies and the Service Academies to community college and a host of SUNYs. Yep, even the kid who is very last in the class. (I have no idea who that kid is, but there is a “last” in every class. And it’s not the gap year kid; his choice was a choice.)
So here’s my point:
You’re a 16 year old kid. You took 5 college level courses. Of course you struggled!!! You’re 16 and doing a full course load of college classes with 2 additional honors classes!!
One of my favorite sayings is that there’s a lid for every pot. You’ll find the right college. Whether or not it’s “Ivy or high tier” I have no idea. But there are over 3,000 colleges in this country. You’ll find the one that’s right for you.
At 16, there’s so much you have to learn, to experience. And, sure academics are very important. But so is balance. So is a life with your friends, learning how to interact socially with others. So is down time, time with you and your imagination to start to picture your life aside from academics. So is family time, time to just hang out with your parents or siblings in front of the TV or by the pool. Life isn’t about college; college is one teeny tiny little phase of your life. So, sure, prepare. Do your best to earn good grades. But not to the point where it’s giving you the type of stress I see in your post.
Oh, and 4Bs and 2As is a wonderful year, nothing to worry about! Congrats-- as I see it, you have a very successful year!!!
How many AP does someone graduate with from your school that gets into the schools your looking at? My son went to an all honors school and most take AP starting Junior year and maybe end with 6-8 AP tops. I know some schools seem to teach AP at birth…
You need to show rigor and do well in those classes. The rigor should increase a bit yearly. You need to set your schedule that your doing well in all your classes, it’s a balance plus you need activities outside of studying. Taking the most APs is not getting you into any specific college. It’s the whole package of who you are.
I would have a serious talk with your school counselor since they would have more experience with your school. If your not all honors classes then maybe taking all honors with a few AP will show enough rigor and again in senior year.
But here’s the thing… If you took all AP classes from Freshman year till Senior year and got all “A” a and all 5’s. You still might not get into the colleges your attempting to get into.
Having many colleges that your in the top 75% for that college will make your senior year much more enjoyable.