Today, students are getting more and more competitive worldwide to get into the best colleges. Many students overdo the amount of AP and higher level classes they can take. Students believe that by taking these higher level classes, it will help give them a better chance into getting into a good college.
Even though this is true, sometimes doing too many of these classes can result in grades that you wouldn’t want to represent you when colleges view how you did in your high school career. The grades you want colleges to look at are the one’s that represent your best effort. You cannot show colleges that you are a good student when you stretch yourself so thin that you are no longer performing at competitive levels. For example, it is more impressive to colleges to look at an A in an honors class than a C in a AP class.
According to U.S. News, “ [Students should determine] what high school classes will best prepare them for their intended path,” after high school. You should try and choose high classes that reflect on what you want to study in the future. However, colleges do recommend taking courses that are more challenging in the areas that relate to what you want do in your post-secondary education.
Freshman and Sophomores, you might think that you still have three or two years left of high school left so you don’t have to plan ahead early. However, it doesn’t hurt to become familiar with the courses that you could possibly take that could put you a step ahead of someone applying to the same college and major as you.
Colleges today look for what makes you different from the other thousands of other applicants. As well as vigorous classes, clubs are a great way to put you ahead of others as well. Clubs help make your admission to colleges stand out because it shows that you have experience with “people person skills” and it makes you look more well rounded. Volunteer work also really helps out stick out to college administrations because it once again shows that you have experience with people. Even though all of this impressive, colleges are also now looking more towards the people that focus their energy in specific areas which exhibits their passion. It also shows colleges that you have commitment and that you are hard working.
Within the next month or so, when thinking about what classes you should take next year, don’t think solely about how it will look better to take all the highest classes, think about the other portions of college application. Within the next year put yourself out there and try to do clubs and volunteering, but most important of all, maintain a realistic schedule that will help you stay on top of everything and give enough time to do other things.
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