Does anyone have a high school student NOT in honors or AP courses?

[tar heel]

I don't know anything about state universities where you are, but I think Vassar is pretty competitive and would likely want to see honors/AP classes .

Sometimes college admissions reps really go overboard about what it takes to get into their schools, though. When my oldest son visited UNC-Chapel Hill, they totally convinced him that he would not get in, and he came home and announced he would not apply. While Carolina is a selective school, he was a National Merit semifinalist at the time he visited. He had good grades, honors and AP classes, participation in a couple prestigious summer programs and an extremely high SAT. He did get in, but had really decided not to go that day -- sore subject with his alumna mom!

My middle child has taken a different road, and he's going to have fewer options, but I'm not at all worried about him getting into some colleges. He does the honors sections of social studies and English, regular sections of math and science. I DO think it requires honors and AP classes to get into selective schools. IMO, he has no chance of being accepted at UNC Chapel Hill and only a slight chance of getting into NC State. I think he will likely get into the next tier of state universities -- Charlotte, etc.

I agree with Dana about the extracurriculars. My oldest is totally nonathletic, but there were no cuts in cross country at his school and he has three varsity letters. My middle son is athletic, but he mentioned in passing that he might not do track this spring b/c it takes so much time. I told him he wasn't going to give up a four-year sport in which he's one of the event captains. We required a minimum of one sport and one nonsport each year plus some community service of some kind.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Hi All,

I am freshman at private school called Lamar here in mississippi. I just moved here and dont like it, but its considered very prestigous school. Anyways before I moved I was getting 3.5 or high GPA in all honors classes. Now I am am here and not doing the greatest in there so called non honors classes. I plan on trying to do better. I really want to so my goal is to improve. My dream is to go to USC. What kind of grades to I need for there. Also UF is a back up. How is that to get into? Also what about UCLA? Does going to a college prep hard high s chool help at alll?

Matt

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Oh yea, I am not really athletic. Use to be buy injured back so I quit. Anyways what are activities to do to help put on my college app. I am doing mach trial right now which I know counts. Anything else?

Matt

 

[autumnblue]

DISDuck - I live a couple of miles from R.I.C. My Dad went there and I'm transfering to either there or URI Feinstein from Stonehill next year (unless PC pulls through with some stellar financial aid). What's her major?

Hey Crankyshank, we have a few places in common. I currently work at Stonehill, I used to work at RIC and I went to PC.

Small world

 

[autumnblue]

This year there was a tremendous gender split pretty much nation wide. I think 60% female 40% male. I think for the next couple of years males will definitely have some advantage in college admissions.


Autumn

 

[Crankyshank]

Even smaller world - I'm from Attleboro

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Does going to a college prep hard high s chool help at alll?

I think the answer to your questions really depends on you. As a Mother, I firmly believe that the primary purpose of a High School is to provide an education and an environment that you as a student enjoy. Do you like the campus, the teachers and the students around you? Do you like your classes? Are you getting a good education? If the answers to that are yes, then your school is a good place for you. The college details will work themselves out in time.

As for your second question. This is kind of how I explain it to my kid. Probably even more important than having an "extra curricular" on your application, is the ability to have something that makes you different from the thousands of other kids applying. What is unique about you that you can contribute to the University? For instance, I imagine that a large percentage of kids list some kind of sport, music program, or other typical High School extras on their Apps. However, I recently met a kid -- not the greatest grades but a really great kid -- who has helped the Park District develop a class to teach basic guitar to elementary kids as an after school program.
Now that is something that will get you up a step on the college App.

Do you see what I mean?

 

[DVC Jen]

My daughter is not in ANY AP or honors classes. She just got her report card and her lowest 2 grades are an 86 and an 89. I really am not worried about her. She doesn't plan on going to one of the "elite" collages. She will be just fine.

Sometimes I think we depend too much on what college a child goes to. The name of the college they attended is NOT going to make them a good worker.

My DH went to a tech school and is now making over 5 figures and is 4 positions away from president of his company. It was his college name that got him there.. it was hard work and lots of dedication.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I went to a private high school which offered no AP or honors classes. We were allowed to take 4 AP exams at the end of the year...German or French depending on our language of study, calc if we were in the class (which i was not), and the English Lit exam if we were invited to take it.

I was an average student with mostly B's, some A's and a few C's here and there during the bad courses lol and I got into one of the best schools in the country. DePauw University (although almost no one has heard of it) is called the Harvard of the Midwest and is one of the toughest schools to get into in Indiana.
So coming from an average student who is in an amazing college, your daughter has every chance of getting into a competitive school.

 

[WWTBAMFAN]

Donalds_best_pal

Yes, going to a good college prep private school can help and it also can hurt.

My son just graduated from a very strong college prep school. He got a great education but his class standing did affect which schools he applied for. USC was on the list of schools that his college advisor told him was an easy fit and there are several kids from his school at USC who were not near the top of his class. The good private colleges are familar with the top prep schools and will make adjustments for class standing and grades. My son decided not to apply to USC even though I voluntereed to fly him out to visit the campus.

You need good extracurricular activities to be considered seriously by any of the better colleges. My son participated in a number of activities and they helped. He ended up getting a great merit scholarship due to leadership roles from these activities.

One good thing about a good college prep school is that these schools usually have strong college admission counselors. Check with the college admissions/counseling office at your school. My son school has a list of schools where kids were accepted at and were attending. One of the counselors should be able to tell you what you need to do to get into USC.

Good luck.

 

[danacara]

DVC Jen - you are right in that many people, from all walks of life, "make it" in their professional lives ... but again, to reiterate, and I really shouldn't because it's tangential to this thread - but it works like Willy Wonka's Golden Ticket ... the top 20 college name is worth it, even if it means sacrificing mightily to pull it off. See it as an investment. I know a lot of you have stories about your DH's loser friend with the Harvard degree who works at the Quick Chek, whereas DH went to county college and is extraordinarily successful, and those stories make me happy to hear, but - on behalf of every 25-year-old classmate I have who makes six figures in banking here in New York, made $60K the day he graduated, and has the safety net of alumni loyalty and networking for the rest of his life - if your kid gets the opportunity - take it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

When I was in HS, they pushed the AP junk a bunch too... you know what? VERY few of those AP students went anywhere in their education. Many of them were forced into taking those courses by parents, and hated every moment of it. A handful of them went and actually completed college, and only one went to an Ivy League school.

My parents, instead, looked into colleges I wanted to attend, saw their requirements, and advised that I take what I want and enjoy HS. I was EXTREMELY involved in extra activities, did the regular track of classes and did well and enjoyed it, and was just a regular kid. I worked PT, bought my own car, vacationed with friends, volunteered, etc. Had a blast! I got into my first college choice (it was not a hard school to get into), graduated, and am now at my first graduate school choice.

For me, taking those AP courses woudln't have been worth it. My college choice didn't matter to my career path (meaning, a prestigious college wouldn't have gotten me anywhere that my choice couldn't have), my graduate school didn't care, and I would have been MISERABLE doing all that extra work!

My sister, on the other hand, planned to attend a state school that was very easy to get into all along, but she CHOSE to take AP courses for the challenge. She loved having the work, so it was a good choice for her.

I think the HS counselors scare parents and students a bit too much. I would not push my child to do anything that he wasn't comfortable doing, or take a course that was too much for him. That only makes him burnt out and resentful towards education. Encourage him to get involved in extra curricular activities, do the best HE can do at his classes, and be realistic in college choices.

And I do agree that in almost ALL career fields, the college really doesn't matter much at all. You work your tail off, prove yourself, and you do well in life.

=)

 

[danacara]

I think the HS counselors scare parents and students a bit too much. I would not push my child to do anything that he wasn't comfortable doing, or take a course that was too much for him. That only makes him burnt out and resentful towards education.

Could that be more diametrically opposed to my own philosophy? I am sitting here on the trading floor laughing. Was I pushed? YES. Would I have accomplished a fraction of what I did without the shove? NO WAY. Do I think we should only do things that we're "comfortable doing?" NO (how many of us would be at work right now if it came down to "comfort?") Would I put my kid in a course that was too much for him? MOOT POINT, because if you are in there, I expect you to do what it takes to get it done, just the same way as I'm expected to do things I've never tried before at work every day. Am I going to push my kid? ABSOLUTELY. Hopefully I'll be suave enough that he won't figure me out for a while.

Then again, you all basically know me, and you know that I'm going to marry some conehead like myself, and our kid will have total genetic cancellation and get Ds, walk into walls, smoke with the Phish groupies and ride the special kid bus to school.

 

[totalia]

DD is an average student (yes, I actually admit that ) who has never been eligible for honors classes. Her grades are actually very good, but she's taken "middlle" classes throughout her high school career and is presently a junior. Well, last night our high school had a meeting with reps from Vassar (a small private school) and SCSU (a large state school). Both they and the guidance counselors mentioned how important a rigorous course load is. I'm starting to panic and stress a little because dd's classes have all been average. Does she not stand a chance to get into a competitive college? Help!

I was never in honors classes either. Now I've graduated from college.

Don't worry, your daughter will be just fine. Don't let the teachers scare you into anything.

 

[krissy3483]

I think some kids will accomplish great things if pushed, and others will resent their parents and accomplish very little in the end. Everyone is so different, it is impossible to say what will help, without knowing the individual very well. My younger sister and I are good examples. I attended a private hs, took many honors and AP classes, and participated in extracurriculars - mock trial, yearbook, newspaper, NHS, volunteer work, pt job. I did all of this because I wanted to - my parents never had to push me at all. My younger sister, on the other hand, is just the opposite. If my parents didn't push her, she would not get anything done. They push her a little and force her to focus and she does very well. Other kids would not be able to be pushed like this, and it would backfire, so it really does depend on the type of person you're dealing with.

 

[Lynn CC]

I would encourage her to take honors classes or AP classes for her senior year! Not level 2 classes if she wants the more competative colleges on her application list. When she fills out her applications in the Fall of her Senior year they will ask her for a list of her classes she is currently taking!
Most want to see a couple of AP classes, this way they know they are serious students and challenging themselves as well as taking advantage of all their school has to offer.
My son is a senior this year, he applied to Harvard Early Decision and got a deferred decision, we have our fingers crossed for a Yes in April!
He has a Princeton Interview Tuesday...
It's such a stressful year so far for the whole family, he's just trying to keep up with his AP classes and honors classes.
So tell your DD to challenge herself, it will be worth it in the long run.
The Princeton Review offers an SAT Prep class that will help her with her scores! She can take that during the summer months too.
Good Luck!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Although I appreciate your opinions - no I did not push or require my DD to be in any extracurricular activities - would I have encouraged her if it was her choice?? Absolutely!! I encouage her to be the best she can be - do what is right for her -and to be happy with her decisions.

She has already been accepted at 1 college in Vermont - still looking at others.

 

[WWTBAMFAN]

There is one other advantage to AP classes. They can help the child get through quicker or give the student to fine tune their major. Private schools are stingy with college credit for AP while public schools can be very generous. My son is a private school and earned 21 hours of college credits. A couple of his classmates with similar AP scores attending public schools earned 40 to 60 hours of credit. My son is now a sophomore and has a great deal of flexibility in putting together his own degree plan (currently, he is looking at a double major).

While the failure to take AP classes may not hurt your child, these classes do have some benefit in my mind including a cost savings to me.

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks to all of you who replied. You all have so much great insight and hearing everyone's opinions is very enlightening, albeit making me a bit more confused. Maybe confused isn't the right word, however.

DD actually has a lot going for her: good (not great) grades, a very good viiola player, captain of her cheerleading squad, holds a part-time job in addition to babysitting, and does community service in and out of school. Her PSATs were NOT great. I think she will have NO problem getting into a state school and both of our expectations are realistic (no Ivy League), however she would like to apply to some highly competitive schools so I think she will speak to her counselor and inquire about AP courses for her senior year. Ultimately, I will probably let her decide. I'm really torn about pushing her (as I do believe it's sometimes necessary) but don't want to push too far. Uggh!

 

[cheerdancer11]

Don't stess too much about it! As a hs senior i will say that (almost) every one in my school will go somewhere! You can get into some great schools as well w/o stellar sat's- look at sat optional schools for some examples. as for ap classes- dont overload too much for senior yr if she hasnt had any yet. i am in 2 now and its a lot of work! just make sure she keeps her average up she'll do fine!