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<p>D is also saying that she is not interested in AP12 English. She wants to take advanced composition. Her guidance counselor is pretty useless, so I can’t even talk to her. I am not sure that D’s schedule will be marked “most rigorous” anyway since at most she will take 6 APs out of over 20 available and I know that some kids in her school take more than 10. So I am not sure how to advise either you or my D. Looking forward to other parents’ input.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input everyone. Yeah, my S is a math/science, taking AP Physics C and an on line class in linear algebra this year. He hasn’t backed off from English, taking the honors classes in 9, 10 and AP Language this year. His standardized test scores tilt higher on the math side, and if this holds true for his SAT in March, he make need to retake it. He’s hoping to counter a bit of this through an excellent LOR from his AP Language teacher, who seems to adore him, despite being the math/science kid.</p>
<p>As it is, without an AP English class next year, he’d be taking AP Chemistry, AP Econ/US Gov and the Multivariable Calc class. So he’ll be busy anyway.</p>
<p>He certainly does sound like he will have a very difficult schedule. I’d have him ask around about the other English classes (and you might want to do so also). </p>
<p>At our high school there is a enormous gap between the kids on the Honors/AP track and the kids in the regular track - and classes reflect this. For example, California has an exit exam - at our high school, the kids in the junior level regular classes spend 6-8 weeks reviewing basics to ensure that they pass the test while the kids on the AP track are off writing essays. At the Senior level, the gap is worse as many of the kids are simply trying to get through. The gap in work load is also not as great as you might think- lots of remedial worksheets at the lower level.</p>
<p>How would your son feel about having to “go back to basics?” My DS (a 2008), also more of a math and science kid, bounced back and forth between the honors track and the regular track in English - and certainly complained a lot about wasting his time when he was in the lower track.</p>
<p>Mom on the hill:</p>
<p>Regarding skipping math senior year, I just had a conversation with our GC on what constitutes “most rigorous” and they have what amounts to a rubric that they use. Ten or more AP or Honors classes, 4 years of Math and 3 of a Foreign language (school has a graduation requirement that all kids take 4 years of English and Social Studies). So skipping math senior year would automatically keep them from getting MR at our school. I’d call and ask the GC as all schools are different.</p>
<p>scualum:</p>
<p>Thank you for reminding me I need to touch base with my S about the gap to the student’s taking classes on the regular track, and the implications of same in a senior level class. I know that’s why he chose to take AP Euro History as a sophomore, and somehow as a freshman got his GC to agree to transfer him to another one semester health class (he wanted to be in the class with his other AP track friends but I’m guessing he presented a different argument to the GC.)</p>
<p>I am asking around about the English classes. I’m lucky enough to work on our local Ed Foundation with the British Lit teacher.</p>
<p>Another good idea of yours: check to see if there’s a rubric for “most rigorous.” If our HS has one like yours, he’s in without taking the AP Lit class. I just counted 'em up, yikes, 4 honors, 8 AP and two college level.</p>
<p>We’re off to UCLA for the campus tour this afternoon, since it’s a pupil free/teacher development day before the start of 2nd semester.</p>
<p>Hi everybody. We’re back from the University of Delaware. I’ve posted my report here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visits/university-of-delaware/8383589.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visits/university-of-delaware/8383589.html</a></p>
<p>Just ask if you have any questions.</p>
<p>Oh! One thing I forgot to put in my visit report: UDel’s winter break is 7 weeks long! Mid-Dec to Feb 10 this year. </p>
<p>Students usually use this time to study abroad or earn up to 6 credits in January’s mini-mester. </p>
<p>Since spring sem starts Feb 10 it doesn’t end 'til May 30. That’s AFTER Memorial Day.</p>
<p>FindAPlace - I would definitely ask the GC about whether they have a rubric to determine “most rigorous.” D and I had our meeting with her GC last week, and she said that she only checks off that box “once every few years,” and that D will have that box checked if she takes the schedule she’s planning for next year. I was very surprised to hear that as D attends a very competitive school, and I know a few kids who have had her as a GC before, and I was sure that they had taken classes that would be counted as the most rigorous. I’ll have to ask her to explain how that’s determined at our next meeting.</p>
<p>Having said that, if your S really doesn’t want to take AP Engl Lit, I wouldn’t force him to do so. For some, I suspect that class might be pure torture.</p>
<p>I’ve probably said listed D’s tentative 12th grade schedule before - but here goes: AP Engl Lit, AP BC Calc, AP Gov, AP Economics, AP Bio, AP Spanish, Wind Ensemble and PE. Adjustments may need to be made due to scheduling, but her GC thinks it shouldn’t be a problem. </p>
<p>Hope you enjoy your visit to UCLA this afternoon. My D started exams today. She’s lucky - only one today, and then the English Regents tomorrow and Wednesday, and that’s all.</p>
<p>DougBetsy, thanks. I’ve been to a couple of events at UDel and always thought it was a pretty nice campus. H and S will visit and I’ll be curious to hear their take on it, since I don’t think either has ever been there. Good to know about the schedule - I don’t mind the long winter break, but the getting out after Memorial Day could be an issue with summer jobs, internships, etc.</p>
<p>scualum-I appreciate your feedback. Actually, D’s ruled out skipping math next year because the potential costs, admissions-wise (including the scenario that you cited) could far exceed any potential boost to her gpa. I think, at this point, her choice is either non-honors calc. or AP Calc. AB–and I think she’s leaning toward AB. In any case, class signups for next year and Junior conference with her GC will be coming up soon, so we get his input, as well.</p>
<p>Ooh DougBetsy thanks for posting that. Going to check out your UDel review now. </p>
<p>We signed D up today (I say we because I paid!) for the SAT and the ACT. Then made interview appointments at Bryn Mawr and Mt. Holyoke for the late spring. I guess this is really going to happen and my dear girl will be leaving home.</p>
<p>Awwwww, zoosermom!</p>
<p>Thanks alot ZM… I’ve been trying to repress that half of the equation :(</p>
<p>Sorry. It just struck me that this isn’t just busy work for the sake of busy work.</p>
<p>Making her interview appointments blew me away.</p>
<p>Visited Swat and Haverford today – will post reports later. Would like to pull my hair out about his GPA vs. the schools where he feels intellectually engaged! S2 signed up for the March SAT yesterday, so it’s really going to happen. He took a practice test Sat. and his score continues to move upwards…</p>
<p>The semester starts tomorrow if schools aren’t closed due to snow. (pleeeese!)</p>
<p>Isn’t it a little early to be interviewing? I thought no one interviewed before senior year.</p>
<p>zoosermom - most of the schools D is looking at say that they don’t start interviewing juniors until after May. Did you just call them and ask for appointments? We’re planning a few visits in April, and it might be nice to get those interviews out of the way. I know the schools we’re visiting in Feb. have plenty of alum in our area who do the interviews for them, so I’m not worried about those.</p>
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<p>I can see only checking off the “once in a million student” box once every few years, but to only check off the “most rigorous” box once every few years would concern me. </p>
<p>Why aren’t more people taking a most rigorous schedule at this school?</p>
<p>Thank you DougBetsy. Very helpful report.</p>
<p>ellemenope - I think the school offers so many options that possibly some students have to sacrifice certain AP classes in order to take other classes that interest them. Either that, or their interpretation of “most rigorous” is really strict - I’ll have to ask at our next visit. Also, she’s not the only GC, so maybe that’s her interpretation, and other GCs might be checking off that box like crazy. 
Also, I know of a few students who passed on taking certain courses because of their reps for either tons of work (AP Euro) or difficulty (Honors Chem, Honors Prec-Calc, AP BC Calc) - and students won’t get that “most rigorous” checkmark without all of those classes. Overall, the students do have very rigorous schedules and the school has a good track record of students being accepted at top schools. </p>
<p>CountingDown - if the schools are familiar with your S’s school, I’m sure they’ll realize how competitive it is and view his grades accordingly. Try not to worry. Can’t wait to hear how he liked those two schools!</p>
<p>Is it supposed to snow by you tomorrow?</p>