Then, find a job (always considered a solid EC because you have to function with adults, be reliable, disciplined, etc…) and focus on one or two activities (perhaps 1 charitable/non competitive, and one competitive).
Okay, I am doing swimming right now. That counts right It is technically on a team
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For college, if you’re not recruitable athletics is just another EC. If you enjoy swimming, keep going, but if you don’t it won’t help. Top 50 colleges want people who are the best at what they do, whatever that is, and/or whose strength will also benefit the college.
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The one class I would not recommend from your schedule is Integrated Math 3 Honors because you only took Integrated Math I so it would be a huge transition. I recommend doing Integrated Math II Honors instead.
I was thinking that too but I want to be on track to take calculus by senior year, I am planning to major in computer science so math is very important.
At my school, all the requirements for AP calculus is Integrated Math 3 Honors which you could take junior then AP calc senior year. If your school required AP Calc AB before BC then it would be no problem to just take AP Calculus AB senior year.
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If you are on a swim team for all four years of high school, go to practices, do anything that will benefit the team…that is a fabulous EC. You do not have to be a recruited swimmer or the best swimmer to show your commitment to this activity.
If you like doing it…then do it!
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As far as the rest of your schedule, I think you will do fine. If you struggle go up to your teacher and ask for help or get a tutor, DON’T PROCASTINATE. I had done that during freshman year and ended with 3 Bs. I imagine you are trying to get into a top university. Colleges like Harvard or Stanford might not accept you but that does not mean that you can’t do well elsewhere. I know you will succeed, don’t forget that YOU can do what you want to do (no matter what anyone says) with hard work and perseverance.
Good Luck.
Yes, I am thinking of demoting from int math 3 honors to int math 2 honors, will this be a good idea?
Didnt you say you could do Int Math 1-2-3H then Calculus senior year? Getting to Calculus senior year is all you need to do based on your progression. You will NOT be penalized in any way if you do this. That’ll meet expectations at all colleges (that will then move to your ECs, essays, recs, etc )
I think the standard track at their HS goes to precalc in 12th grade which is why they wanted to skip ahead:
Not sure if taking the Honors track changes things.
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I think doing integrated Math 2 honors would be a better option. What are the prerequisites for AP calc at your school?
If it is Integrated Math 3 Honors then you are ok with doing it junior year.
If it is pre-calculus, which I assume requires integrated math 3, then don’t do integrated math 3 honors, do regular.
Sorry, I thought the Int Math honors track led to Calculus whereas the non honors track led to precalc (or another senior math).
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Yes, I think that is the OP’s biggest issue; they would like to be on a path that gets them to Calc in 12th grade.
Since I believe that colleges will evaluate students in the context of their HS, I asked early in the thread if most students at the HS are on the path which ends in precalc 12th grade. And it sounds like most at the HS are indeed on that path:
I would hope that in this context, the OP wouldn’t be penalized by colleges for being on an honors math track that ends in precalc. Colleges would see that OP started in Integrated Math 1 in 9th grade. I know that others on this site have mentioned their kids being successful in college admissions with 12th grade precalc. But I am not an expert, so I hope others would weigh in on that.
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@tamagotchi @worriedmomucb @MYOS1634 @timeagain1
Hello, I might watch to switch what I do in college and I am thinking of becoming a doctor, I was wondering if these classes would be enough for premed
I am in california, if I haven’t told you that already
I am planning to apply to uc riverside and major in biology.
Do you guys think that these classes would be enough to gain admission to pre med at uc riverside.
Keep in mind that pre-med is not a major. It is a series of classes you must take in order to later be eligible for medical school. You can major literally in anything and be pre-med (my favorite example is my radiation oncologist - as an undergrad she did a BA in English Literature, and with that went to Harvard Medical School).
Yes, I am planning to major in biology so it is the pre med track
But will these classes be enough for acceptance to uc riverside biology major?
UCR has an acceptance rate of 68%. With hard work, I doubt that you won’t be accepted.
There is no “pre-med track”. You could major in anything and still be accepted to medical school. Soo many people are majoring in biology thinking it will help them on the MCAT, but this is not the case. People who major in math/statistics or social sciences tend to score higher on the MCAT than biology majors. Admission officers tend to favor majors other than biology (especially social science) because too many people major in biology.
Only major in biology IF you have a passion or interest in biology. Please don’t major in it when it isn’t your passion, or if you think it will help you on the MCAT or it “is the pre med track”
You are a freshman in high school. You don’t need to choose your college major yet (or your future career). It’s normal for your interests to change many times between now and senior year, and many students change direction after they start attending college, too.
As long as you cover the core areas, there are no special requirements for applying to a specific major. Keep your high school schedule balanced, to cover all the core subject areas each year. Try to pick courses at a level of rigor that you feel will challenge you, but not overwhelm you. With the remaining space in your schedule, choose additional electives that interest you. This will keep your options open for any major you want to apply to.
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