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@dav.mc
3 answers, 33 votes
 • 3 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Is it any good that at the end of my 3 years of HS I'll have completed around 70 classes, but not one AP?
Answered

I'm from a full-time school in Brazil, and our HS curriculum is quite different, even compared to Brazilian ones. While we aren't offered any AP classes, we have to take around 70 classes in 3 years to graduate with both the HS diploma and a Computer Science Technician diploma. Most schools in Brazil only offer around 27 classes, and I saw that most Americans only get to take around 18. Is my profile strong enough for Harvard? No APs (school doesn't offer), 70 classes in total (3 years, since 9th grade isn't part of HS in Brazil) will (probably) graduate with a 3.86-3.95 GPA and 1st in my class.

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@benny
32 answers, 97 votes
 • 3 years ago

70 classes WOW!!, That's awesome you will find colleges like students who have taken a wide variety of classes. It shows that you have extensive knowledge of many different subjects. You will be at an advantage. At the same time, it also depended on what you want to go into. For example, if you want to go into medical school. If you have taken a lot of science classes it looks good on an HS transcript.

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@Simran
11 answers, 29 votes
 • 3 years ago

Perhaps if you specified this on your application, the admissions officer would understand.

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@junior22
19 answers, 49 votes
 • 3 years ago

If you write in your application that your school doesn't offer AP classes, I'm sure you'll be fine!

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[🎤 AUTHOR]@dav.mc3 years ago

But do you think it's strong enough though? Like, compared to other candidates (specially Brazilians since they will be a more direct competition to me, because Harvard accepts Brazilians every year).

@benny3 years ago

I agree with @tennisplayer and @Simran. If your school does not offer AP classes make sure that you specify that. Also, stress the diversity of your classes. I know in my school kids are rushing to try to get into AP classes. But understand that there are not AP classes for everything. Like in Ohio where I live are local colleges will recognize your AP classes. But diversity is key in college. Colleges love students who have a wide range of knowledge not just narrow. It gives you an advantage.

@benny3 years ago

Also about the Brazilians, Do not get yourself so worked up. When applying to colleges like Harvard diversity will give you an advantage. It shows that you are able to learn different academics. Like I could never imagine myself taking 70 classes. WOW. Tho next year I am going to a 2-year vocational school for Biotech so half of my school day will be biotechnology. Confidence is key :)

[🎤 AUTHOR]@dav.mc3 years ago

Thank you guys so much for all the help, I'll make sure to mention that and clarify my situation in the additional information section. And about the 70 classes, it's really not too hard, we have around 10 since 1st grade, so when we get to high schools like mine there's not that much impact because we only have 20 something per year, the hard part is to mantain a high GPA in everything, but it's definitely manageable.

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