Sacrificing Grades for a harder schedule?

Applying to College
#1

<p>Which is better? Do you take fewer classes in order to lessen your overall workload, in turn allowing you more time for each subject? Or do you pack your schedule with as many Honors/AP classes as possible?</p>

<p>I know that I've chosen to fill my schedule with APs. I'm a sophomore and I'll have two APs completed by the end of the year (One is half-year, the other is an entire year).</p>

<p>In doing so, my grades have fallen a little bit, but I feel that it's a good tradeoff.</p>

<p>Also, my school requires doing a sport. I do a rock climbing/outdoorsy sort of thing each day from 3:30 to 6:00 PM every day. So usually I get home at around 6:15 and work until it's time to get some sleep, which is around 10 or 11 PM. I don't do anything but work when I get home and by the time I finish, it's around this time anyways.</p>

#2

<p>I think it varies from person to person to find the right schedule. Ideally, colleges want students who can handle a full load, even if it does include a number of advanced classes.. and this is reflected through grades/gpa. Sometimes it's difficult to adjust to those types of classes, though, so you shouldn't worry. You say your grades have "fallen a bit," but by how much? Anything in the A/B range is acceptable; hopefully two APs haven't managed to drag you down any further than that. If they have, it might be wise to drop the class for something easier.</p>

#3

<p>I feel the same. Many of the 'smarter' kids in my graduating class are taking easier classes and getting unbelievable grades, but I am taking college level courses and struggling with some of the assignments. I do a sport too, and it is a good tradeoff to be able to get college experience in something you may do, while they just skate through and may run into problems adjusting to the college-level workload.</p>

#4

<p>Paul: All of my grades were either A's or B+'s.</p>

<p>I go to one of the top 15 private schools in the US, too. A B at my school is comparable to a much higher grade at most other schools.</p>

#5

<p>Bump......</p>

#6

<p>well, all the college info sessions that i've gone to say that you should be gettting all A's in the toughest classes anyway. </p>

<p>haha.</p>

<p>i'd say balance it out...take the really tough courses in teh subjects yer interested in...i took ap bio as a sophie, ap chem and bc calc as a junior, and ap physicsc and statistics, as a senior....i never did ap lit or us history...do whatever you think you'll do best in.</p>

#7