My high school plan, input and suggestions, please :)

Applying to College
1

Hello all, I’m a cc newborn, so if this should be in a different forum, please inform me!
Current Sophomore, first in class (thanks, mum), cripplingly shy but forced to participate for the resumes. Whoo.

So, my school itself kind of sucks. It falls short of almost all state averages. Mleh. Anyhow, I hope to take GAVS* (Georgia Virtual School, strong curriculum) to make up for it. Oh, how I miss Connecticut schools.

Now, I don’t really want for you to chance me, just your opinion on whether this plan is good. :slight_smile:

We have a block schedule.

FRESHMAN
Accelerated Algebra I/Geometry A
Advanced Biology
Advanced Literature 9
Healthcare I

Advanced Chemistry
Advanced World History
Physical Education

AP Psychology

SOPHOMORE
Accelerated Geometry B/Algebra II
Latin I*
AP US History A
Advanced Literature 10

Visual Art
Healthcare II
AP US History B
AP Environmental Science

summer vacation – Latin II*...if I'm not forced to study, I'll completely waste two and a half months re-watching Parks & Recreation. :D

JUNIOR
Advanced Literature 11
Accelerated Algebra III/Pre calculus (I’ve heard it’s worse than AP Calc, oh dear)
AP Biology A
Advanced Physics

AP Statistics*
AP Government
AP Biology B

Healthcare III

SENIOR
Latin III*
AP Calculus A
AP Computer Science Principles* (comes out next year, and I’m very interested!)
Advanced Literature 12

AP Macroeconomics
AP Calculus B
AP Human Geography* (ooh, I know it’s supposed to be useless, but the subject is fascinating)

Hospital Rotation (menial, minion work at a small local hospital; but I get to help people! Yay!)

ECs: beta, nhs, fbla, varsity tennis (very likely), art club, possibly debate & graphics, various summer camps
volunteering: children’s hospital (40h), geometry tutoring, library, FISH
SAT IIs: will take Latin, World History, and Literature

I would have taken AP Lit or Lang, but I love reading and writing and don’t want those classes to ruin it for me.
If my school brings back AP Chem, I’ll take that in lieu of AP Comp Sci Prin & H Geo. Duller, but more valuable.

I’m certain I will get it into GA Tech & UGA, Emory and UNC will be a reach, Duke & Yale are impossible, but you never know…and I may apply to UWash, simply because I’ve been to the Pacific NW and British Columbia and adored it.

So, I apologize for the run on sentences, constructive criticism will be much appreciated, have a wonderful day! Allons-y!

2

Honestly, I don’t see how someone can tell you if you’re doing everything right or whatever you’re looking for. When it comes to selective colleges (I’m assuming that’s what you’re aiming for judging from this post), you basically should be taking a rigorous courseload. Assuming that schedule is the most difficult your school offers, colleges can’t hold it against you.
For ECs, just do what you have a genuine interest in and not for college, develop your interests and pursue related ECs to further your passion.

3

Definitely, that’s why I’m taking all the healthcare classes. A lot of my concern is about scholarships – we’re in the awkward salary range of being reasonably well-off, but in no way able to afford increasingly steep tuition (my sister got barely any aid). Thanks for the input, Skarlo!

4

“ECs: beta, nhs, fbla, varsity tennis (very likely), art club, possibly debate & graphics, various summer camps
volunteering: children’s hospital (40h), geometry tutoring, library, FISH”

To repeat what has been said elsewhere on CC, when it comes to ECs, it’s about depth not breadth. This is a boring laundry list of generic ECs. No one cares if you are NHS, beta, tennis, art, etc…And no, volunteering is not required (except maybe by your school or school district). Find the two or at most three things you care about and focus your efforts. If something you try isn’t interesting to you, drop it and try something else. If there is even one thing on this list that you really care about, want to invest energy in, and can develop some expertise in, then you’ve just improved your chances of 1) having a good experience 2) learning something valuable 3) meeting some interesting people you might not otherwise meet, 4) having some balance in your life and distant 5) sounding interesting enough in a college application to catch the eye of someone handling admissions for a selective school.

5

Are you in beta now?

6

N’s Mom, your comment made me think… I HATE FBLA with a passion, but I know I could get a good scholarship through it. I honestly love art and tennis, so I’m going to do those. I may just drop FBLA and talk with my healthcare teacher about bringing back HOSA; it actually interests me. I’m also doing hospital rotation, volunteering with Children’s & Emory Hospital, applying to UGA Mini-Med School, and am taking an online seminar about global health. This should show my commitment to the medicine/health fields.

Wouldn’t have time for debate… I’m actually founding Graphics! :slight_smile:

Thanks for replying. I will certainly chew on this.

7

Yes, since grade 3.

8

Can someone help me at my thread: “What schools are a match for me? Any suggestions or Advice”

9

I think this is a really good plan. I just hope that your course load doesn’t conflict with any outside activities that you are doing.

10

Senior or freshman?

11

RA2015, I’ll check out your thread. Thanks!

12

Your plan is great. I think you should take an AP English class though. It’s helped me so much with my writing and taking it has improved my English/reading scores on the ACT. AP human geography was the definitely my favorite AP class I’ve taken so far :slight_smile: that class isn’t completely useless since I took it before taking APUSH it’s helped establish chronological order of history and how to relate events which helped on the APUSH exam! So maybe you could take that before APUSH? Also quality of quantity for EC’s. If you’re not somewhat passionate about them then drop them. You’re already looking into colleges??.. ^:)^ I didn’t start until my junior year and I’m a senior now. I wish I had that same mindset lol.