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Free College Counseling:
Continuing Subjects in High SchoolQuestions
Answers
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Question:
Dear College Prowler Counselor,
I was wondering, I'll be a junior next year and I'm not very interested in taking Spanish 3, but I will if it will make a big difference. I want to go to either UC Davis or Cal Poly, and I have a pretty strong academic record, I just don't have time nor the desire to take Spanish 3. So, is it really that important that I do?
Brooke, Bakersfield High School
Bakersfield, CA
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Answer:
Hi Brooke,
If you were to stop taking Spanish next year, would you be picking up another language or doubling up on sciences instead? If so, then I would say it would be o.k. to drop foreign language, but the more time you spend on any subject, the better it looks to a school.
If there is a particular reason that you do not want to continue studying the language (like a bad teacher for instance) see if there is a way around it by requesting a different teacher for next year.
I would say to stay with Spanish, even if you don?t love it, because you live in California, and Spanish will soon be if it isn't already the most spoken language in that great state of yours.
Best of luck,
Madison B.
College Prowler Counselor
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Question:
Dear College Prowler Counselor,
I have recently decided to seek a major in Law. I came to the United States about three years ago, after completing the first semester of my freshman year in Peru. My grades were passing, but they were not what I would really have desired at this point, due that my last two years (Sophomore and Junior) were really tough for me because of the language and the new lifestyle, but I managed to bring my GPA from a 2.4 to a 3.3 in two years after taking challenging classes, but the problem is that my grades from Peru are hurting my GPA. I would like to know if there is any way that my GPA contains grades only from my current High School and not combined with the ones from Peru. I would like to be accepted into a good college (UNC-CH, Duke) and I am trying in any possible way I can, so I need some feedback about what kind of classes to take my Senior year, what kind of activities to do, etc..things that would give me ''points'' in order to be accepted into a good college. Thanks for your help.
-Oscar, Topsail High School
Hampstead, NC
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Answer:
Oscar,
I?m sorry to tell you that your high school transcript would not be complete without that first year of grades. Thus, they will continue to affect your GPA.
However, you can certainly show colleges how you have grown as a student by continuing to challenge yourself academically and by pursuing your interests outside of school. Try to take as many honors or AP classes as you believe you can handle, but also take classes that interest you and in which you believe you will do well. Accept leadership roles in the organizations that you feel strongly about. Look for a job or internship in a career you may be considering. By demonstrating your potential for growth and improvement, you are showing schools that you take a great interest in your education both in and out of the classroom and that you will continue to grow at their institution.
Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor
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Question:
Dear College Counselor,
Between Latin 5 and AP History what would look better on a college application? Also If I have been in Chorus for 5 years prior to senior year would it look better for me to continue chorus, or Take AP Biology?
If I only got a 620 on my SAT-1 Writing section but a 690 Math and 750 Verbal should I re-take the SAT-1 and see if I can get a better score, or am I pushing my luck?
I guess you may need to know more but can you tell me my chances of getting into these schools, Williams College, Amherst, Lehigh Univeristy, The University of Richmond, Lafayette College, Villanova, Wesleyan University, and, Gettysburg?
Oh and How has your day been? :)
-Veronica, The Hudson School
Maplewood, NJ
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Answer:
Veronica,
My day has been rather exhausting, but thank you for asking.
When you choose classes, you should choose them based upon your interests; thus, you should take whatever will interest you more, because you will probably get more out of a class you are interested in than from one that ?looks better.? I am assuming you have taken Latin 1-4 and that this is why you are considering Latin 5. If is the case and you do enjoy Latin, I would encourage you to continue with this course. The same goes for chorus. Colleges like to see students? dedication to their interests and passions. Nevertheless, they also like to see students challenge themselves. Therefore, AP classes do look good on academic transcripts. If you are already taking other AP classes, I would not worry about ?needing? AP History or Biology to make your coursework look challenging enough. If not, considering taking one or the other so that you do not give up on the many years you have put into Latin and/or chorus.
If you believe you will do better the next time you take the SAT (if you were unfamiliar with the test format, had a headache, etc. the first time you took it), I would encourage you to do so. Some colleges will combine your best individual (verbal, math, writing) scores from all of the times you have taken the test, so taking it again can only help.
Williams is extremely selective, with only a 19% acceptance rate and an average SAT score range of 1330-1520. Amherst and Wesleyan have similar numbers. Meanwhile, Lehigh gives you slightly better chances, with a 38% acceptance rate and an SAT range of 1240-1380. University of Richmond, Lafayette, and Gettysburg are comparable. Villanova has the least restrictive admissions statistics, with a 58% acceptance rate and an SAT range of 1180-1340.Joey Rahimi
College Prowler Counselor
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Question:
Dear College Prowler Counselor,
I will be a senior in HS this fall. Our GPA is not weighted and I am ranked first or second in my class (it's very close.) It has always been my goal to be class Valedictorian. I took one AP course my Junior year and was able to keep up but my senior year will be the hardest yet. The other top ranked students will only be able to take one or two AP courses. In order to go to my school of choice, I will need to win outside scholarships. With this in mind, what would look best on my applications, to have 3 AP classes and possibly drop a little on my GPA/class rank or take one less AP class and keep up (hopefully) with my current status?
-Chelsea, Sevastopol
Sturgeon Bay, WI
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Answer:
Chelsea,
As long as you remain in the top 10% of your class?which you should, considering that you are currently competing for the #1 position?I would take the AP classes. Colleges would rather a student challenge herself than ?play it safe? just to secure her academic status.
Allison G.
College Prowler Counselor
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