Questions About Course Selections
In my February 3 blog, “The Message Behind Your Course Selections,” I offered guidance to students as they choose courses for next year. The basic message was: “Take courses that present reasonable challenges for you academically, do well in them and choose colleges that value you for your efforts.”
At the end of the blog, I invited specific questions. The following five questions capture the essence of the feedback I received.
Question #1: “I am taking AP Calculus AB as a Junior and our school doesn’t offer any higher level math classes. What should I do next year?”
Answer: If you like and do well in math, you might explore advanced coursework at local colleges. If you are considering math/science/engineering academic tracks in college, you will need to demonstrate proficiency at the highest levels possible in math when you apply for admission. In that case, proceeding without math next year will be problematic.
If math is not central to your future academic directions, then you may have more latitude within your school’s curriculum. For example, statistics is a highly utilitarian course and an Honors or AP Stats class could prove to be very useful regardless of your intended major.
The selectivity of the colleges under consideration comes into play when it comes to substituting courses. If you are considering more selective schools, it is better to replace rigor in one discipline with similar rigor in another.
Question #2: “My daughter is planning to take three APs and two honors courses next year. I’m concerned that it might be too much with all of her other activities and the stresses of the application process on top of it. Should I encourage her to switch from AP English Literature to an honors course instead?”
Answer: Remember my earlier advice: It’s important to step up academically. While the senior year should be fun and memorable, there is every reason to believe it should be challenging as well. At many colleges, especially those that can be very selective, admission officers are watching to see how talented students respond to the challenge. My advice is to let her follow her instincts. If she believes she can handle the challenge, she should go for it!
Question #3: “How do colleges feel about on-line courses?”
Answer: As the range of educational opportunities available to students continues to grow, admission officers are becoming accustomed to seeing evidence of related experiences when students apply for admission. This is true not only of on-line courses but dual degree coursework and college courses offered (for college credit) on high school campuses.
In each case, documentation is important, as you want to eliminate the guesswork that is otherwise bound to emerge in evaluating your credentials. If you plan to submit grades achieved in a “non-traditional” high school classroom setting, make sure your application includes a description of the course, a syllabus (if possible) and information about the accreditation of the school or program from which you received the grade.
Question #4: “If I know that I don’t want to pursue sciences in college, would it be okay to drop science (probably AP Physics)? I have gotten B+’s in science so far but I have to work real hard in those classes to get the grade.”
Answer: The answer depends on two things: the course you plan to take in place of the science course you are dropping, and the colleges to which you want to apply. As a rule, it is best to replace a dropped course with another that would provide the same level of challenge. Generally speaking, dropping AP Physics for a survey course in government or economics won’t reflect well on you.
That said admission officers at highly selective schools are watching to see what you do when you think the pressure is “off”—when you don’ think you have to push yourself any longer. They’re looking for the slightest reasons to turn students down. Dropping the science course without adding a suitable replacement gives them a reason to say “no.” Less selective schools, on the other hand, are not likely to view your course selection as critically.
Question #5: “My problem is that AP Spanish conflicts with orchestra next year. I have played the cello forever and am first chair. I hate to give it up. Will it hurt me if I drop Spanish to stick with orchestra?”
Answer: Believe it or not, this is a fairly common dilemma for students who are accomplished in the performing arts. In most cases, dropping a high level academic course to continue involvement with orchestra (in this case) will not hurt your competitiveness IF you explain the situation in your application (interview, note attached to your application). You might also explore the potential to take the AP Spanish class on-line or at a local college. Regardless, you need to make sure college advisor corroborates your explanation.
Final note: Each of these questions, as well as others like them, might also be directed to the persons on the admission staffs at schools of interest to you. Those persons can be key resources as you look for information and/or guidance in anticipation of the application process. Articulate your question in a brief email and see what happens. If you receive a thoughtful response you will have gained the information you need and you will have begun a conversation—and a relationship—with someone who will likely review your application at some point.
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