I am currently a junior, graduating in 2018. So far, I have taken the hardest classes I can (All AP and Pre-AP). By the end of my senior year I should have all these core classes completed with my current schedule:
English 1-4 (All AP and Pre-AP wherever possible)
World History AP
US History AP
Geography Pre-AP
[Economics AP or Government AP] <I might need to take both or choose one
Algebra 1-2 Pre-AP
Pre-Calculus Pre-AP
Statistics AP
Calculus AP
Biology Pre-AP
Biology AP
Chemistry Pre-AP
Chemistry AP
Physics AP
Spanish 1-4 (AP and Pre-AP)
and Debate
I am currently ranked 6th in my class and make decent grades. The average for my freshman and sophomore years are about a 97.6 unweighted. I have not taken the SAT or ACT yet, but scored a 1290 (I think one of the top, if not highest, in my grade) on my PSAT with very little studying. The only AP test I’ve taken so far is World History AP (the only AP class I’ve completed), I scored a 4. I also participate in Math and Science competitions in my district for my school. I usually place first or second for underclassmen. However, when competing against upperclassmen, I don’t stand as well. This will also be my first year in competitive debate so I don’t know how it will go.
So now that you guys have some information about me, can you guys help me answer a few questions?
How competitive do my courses look?
Is there anything lacking for a Math/Science major? (I made sure to double up in Math and Science classes so I take all of them)
The only EC I have are basically: 2 years of track (I no longer run track or do any sports), math/science competitions, and debate. I would like to add more to it, but I don't know what to do. What do you guys recommend?
How necessary are community hours? I currently have 0 and plan on getting some. How many hours should I aim for? Are there any particular types of services colleges look for?
What kind of colleges should I be looking at? What can I expect?
How competitive do my courses look?
I think they're definitely competitive, but like @awesomepolyglot I'm wondering if you took geometry...
If you continue on this track this is definitely a rigorous schedule for pretty much any college, but it also matters how your schedule looks in comparison to the rest of your fellow students.
Is there anything lacking for a Math/Science major? (I made sure to double up in Math and Science classes so I take all of them)
Not that I can see, if you’ve taken all the math and science available to you.
The only EC I have are basically: 2 years of track (I no longer run track or do any sports), math/science competitions, and debate. I would like to add more to it, but I don't know what to do. What do you guys recommend?
Don’t add something just for college admissions. Find something you’re interested in. Colleges prefer longevitiy and depth of activities, rather than a long list of ECs.
How necessary are community hours? I currently have 0 and plan on getting some. How many hours should I aim for? Are there any particular types of services colleges look for?
They aren’t required, but they do look good if you’re doing them because you genuinely care, not to look good to colleges. Find a charity or a non-profit that does work you are interested in.
What kind of colleges should I be looking at? What can I expect?
Hard to say since you haven’t taken SAT/ACT and we don’t have your end of year junior grades.
First, compare your classes to admissions requirements for your preferred colleges and while looking at their websites, compare your academic profile with information about admits over the last several years. Most important thing you could do: read broadly, constantly across genres, carry a book everywhere to read at odd times…Why, because of practical benefits such as increased reading speed, increased vocabulary, improve skimming for making decisions and finding information, broadening general knowledge, learning how to persist reading a boring or otherwise unpleasant text (my sister hates Russian novels and I dislike science fiction books). Ultimately, you should develop competency in reading comfortably across writing styles and topic -specific vocabulary. Reading is the foundation that makes everything easier and more interesting. Know yourself as a student and learner such as knowing what learning/study skills work best for you generally and specifically to topic. There are programs that are recommended that probably work well for the authors, but not you. When I was in high school, I was taught something named sorta spaq3 whatever…What a waste! I learned faster, better with long-term memory of content and motivation by using and adapting the strategies I developed. Did do classwork as an individual or in groups? What’s choice did you prefer and when. Did you study or develop projects alone or in groups Group work is the current style, but sets lots of people’s teeth on edge. What is the best time of day to take classes and tests, go to the library, study in you room, have fun and follow your interests. Where do you study best…on your bed, at a desk, watching television, listening to music, standing up, walking around, outside. Whatever works best for you is the bestxuntil proven otherwise. Finally, learn not to have an emotional reaction to tests. If you prefer failing, panic and think about the horrible consequences to your life. Not a good plan! If you are prepared, go for it and keep track of time. Don,t belabor or spend time thinking about hard questions. You may be surprised by how,your mind comes up with the answer or you may even find the answer embedded in another question. The test itself may act sorta like a study guide. If your grade was less then expected think about why…did I study too little or focus on the wrong info.
Learn what you missed and think about how the teacher develops items. Part of learning is seeing the world or class content from teachers and other points of view. I know you ask about courses, but that is your business. Admissions staff are too small to nitpick: Oh dear, this student chose Englsh lit rather than American lit, unless only one was a requirement for admissions. After high school, college is,much easier when you enter knowing yourself. It is even easier to take mind numbing classes. Oh, attend class and listen because that is what you chose to do at that time and you paid for it. The reward is greater than most alternatives. Good luck and be you, even as a veteran reader.
Oh, you will learn as much by listening as by actually reading test. However, listening will not provide the same benefit such as skimming and looking back for information.