How cooked am I (pls help)
Sophomore here. I have a 3.91 total unweighted gpa, 3.87 academic unweighted gpa. We have to choose next year's courses.
I want to be a biology major or similar at a good UC or possibly Ivy Leagues. I have taken AP Bio freshman year, got a 5. I'm not taking APs this year, just three honors classes. My classmates have club board leadership, 2-3 APs, and ecs. I also have ecs and participation in clubs that matter to me, not random clubs (in case this helps). so my high school class is very competitive, not sure how to stand out. One of my few successful ecs is music and is so popular amongst my school...even though I'm good at it. (so is everyone else)
Next year I plan to take english honors, AP Calc AB, and AP Chem as my weighted classes. (senior year 4 aps possibly, including stats and physics 1). My classmates are probably doing more. Am I making a mistake on not taking APUSH?? Most of my classmates are, and I feel an obligation to do so bc I didn't take WHAP. oh and my parents had me quit spanish after spanish 2 last year (melty face).
I'm a slow worker, and I have to work a long time to get results I want. I'm afraid that if I take APUSH also I'll get overwhelmed. I'm not as resiliant as the rest of my class I suppose lol. Also comparatively I'm dumb at math. Got a B+ (i know, so bad (sarcasm pls don't think I'm ragebaiting)) in first semester of alg 2 honors. not a problem by itself, i swear. But my classmates are all cracked at math so I can't really compete.
I know I should try to get research opportunities and summer programs, which I will def try to do after junior year. I want to start sophomore year, but my parents still want to visit overseas for our annual trip, and a summer program will likely take most of the summer. Therefore they don't want me to do anything this upcoming summer. (also because my grandfather has a neuro disorder so we want to visit him as much as possible while he's still healthy). Also I'm taking precalc over the summer to go into AB calc.
Will not doing these passion projects or summer programs hurt my chances at a top school? also bc my lack of academic prowess (compared to my geographic area)? Should I take APUSH or do you have other advice on choosing classes?
Really sorry it's so long and the writing is messy. I'm just kind of stressed right now (ok maybe really stressed). Any advice appreciated!!
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1 answer
Hey! First off, don’t stress too much, it sounds like you’re doing great overall. A 3.91 GPA is impressive, and getting a 5 on your AP Bio exam is something to be proud of! It seems like you’re already on a solid path for college, especially for a biology major. It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when comparing yourself to your classmates, but keep in mind that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just because others are taking more APs doesn’t mean you’re falling behind. It’s better to focus on your own interests and capabilities. Taking classes that genuinely challenge you and will help you grow is what matters most. About your course choices, I think it’s great that you’re prioritizing AP Calc AB and AP Chem since they align with your goals in biology. If you feel that adding APUSH will stretch you too thin, it’s okay to skip it this time. What matters is excelling in the classes you do choose. You can always mention your other interests and strengths in your college applications, like your involvement in music and clubs that you care about. Regarding ECs , they’re definitely important, but it's not just about the number; it's about depth and commitment. Focusing on what you love, like music, can show schools who you truly are. It’s also understandable that visiting your grandfather is a priority, and it's important to be there for family, too. As for research opportunities or summer programs, while they can be beneficial, they’re not the only way to stand out. You don’t have to have a long list of accomplishments by senior year; quality is better than quantity. Just keep looking for opportunities that excite you, and make sure they fit into your life and schedule without causing too much stress. Keep pushing through and focus on what you’re passionate about! Your uniqueness will shine through in your applications, even if you feel like you’re not doing as much as others. And remember, it’s perfectly okay to take things at your own pace!
from another high school sophomore
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