So are you saying that these admissions reps are just giving me feel good answers that are really not going to help my application? Such as how one representative told me that online APs help when in reality they don’t?
That is what is confusing me. I specifically listed all my grades out, including the two Cs and one D, and these counselors literally told me that online AP classes will help my chances of admission and even help prove that I can handle a rigorous course-load. Despite the fact that these classes are not being put on my high school transcript. I just cannot understand why these counselors are telling the exact opposite of what you guys are telling me… But say they were to be put on my transcript, would they make much of a difference?
I’m saying they’re not in a position to advise you. Or specifically guide your decisions and possibly mis-advise. And there’s always an “It depends.”
They can assure you on process questions. I think the biggest issue hs kids face is they think holistic is some simple black and white/yes and no scheme. It all depends on the whole. And they don’t know your whole until they open your file.
Can extra AP help? Well, sure. But not any old AP, at the expense of cores, not when there’s a grade problem on the transcript. We’ve been saying this.
Fordham, Purdue, and Lafayette are on a level where they’ll look at the transcript, see the issues, can wonder why. Does this kid struggle with the basics? Or not focus his efforts? Or easily distracted or immature, whatever. How will he acclimate to this college?
They are also colleges that will look to your choices as an indicator of your thinking (or not.) You don’t go into this scrambled.
You admit you “cannot take AP Bio, English, or history simply because I suck in those fields of study.” That’s defeatist. And those colleges want kids who taken on the appropriate challenges and do well. They want kids who clearly show they can handle the range of college work. C and D grades raise questions. We aren’t talking about a C in basket weaving, but in cores. They’re vital.
Well, I can speak specifically about Purdue - course rigor is very important there.
The MINIMUM requirements:
4 years of english
4 years of math
3 years of science (bio, chem and physics)
3 years of history
2 years of FL
If I recall, you are interested in classics? They’ll want 4 years of history and more FL language than the minimum. I also don’t understand how you can “suck” at english and history but want to major in a related field.
Another note about Purdue…they have satellite campuses. The admission person may be encouraging an application for admission to a non W. Lafayette campus.
When my D toured OSU, the admissions presentation was very broad and they encouraged applications from all kinds of students because so many are granted admission to a satellite campus I don’t remember hearing that when we were on our Purdue visits but the same could apply.
I am taking ALL of my required core courses for college. I am still taking the proper courses required to graduate and the courses colleges expect to see. I am just trying to see if these schools will see my upward trend this year since I am earning all As in all but one class which is physics. I am also scheduled for multiple honors or APs next year. I just want to see if I have a chance of admission since I even got a 29 on one of my practice tests for the ACT.