When should we start the college admissions process?
This common question actually has a two part answer. The actual process of finding the right college typically begins in junior year of high school. However, the planning for the process starts much earlier, ideally in the freshman and sophomore years.
In the next few posts I will be exploring the issues that high school freshman and sophomores should be considering before beginning the actual search for the right college.
Classes to take
Ideally, students will take classes in the following subject areas:
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of social studies/history
- 4 years of math
- 4 years of science
- 4 years of one foreign language
Not every student will be able to handle this rigorous a course load but the closer you are to taking 4 years of each of the 5 academic subjects, the stronger candidate you will be for college.
Take rigorous courses
- Take the most challenging sequence of courses in which you can do well
- Colleges like to see students challenge themselves
- Colleges love to see AP or IB courses particularly if you do well in them
- Strongest applicants will have AP courses in several core subjects
- If you think you can get an A or B, then take the more challenging course
- If not, take the less challenging course
Grades received and courses taken are the most important factors in college admissions.
Stay tuned for part two in the early planning series: standardized tests.
If you would like help finding the best college for you or your student, I offer a FREE 1/2 hour consultation to discuss your needs for college admissions counseling. Give me a call now at 952-449-5245 or drop me an email.
[...] Now, keep in mind that all I am talking about here is the process of actually looking at colleges. To do the best job in finding and getting accepted to the best college, you should start the initial college admissions process earlier. I recently posted on the different issues to consider in the early college planning series. [...]
Pingback by When Should You Start Looking at Colleges : College Admissions Counseling — May 21, 2009 @ 8:00 am
I go to an extremely rigorous & well known private school in New Jersey, and am currently a sophomore. My course load is very heavy and I take all honors & AP courses, with as many APs as possible. I have two questions.
1. Would it be better to get a B/B+ in an AP course or an A/A+ in the regular?
2. In my junior year, I will have the opportunity to do one of three things. I can take Accelerated French for Spanish & Latin students (it covers 2 years of French in 1) with Latin AP and take only a minor art course, I can take a major studio art course and Latin AP whilst forgetting about French, or I can drop Latin and take French up to level 3 and take the major studio art course. Which is most impressive?
And, so you know, art is one of my main extra curricular activities. Most of my clubs have to do with the visual arts and I figure that my creativity combined with great grades & scores might help me stand out when applying to top quality schools.
Comment by Laurie — January 7, 2010 @ 11:32 am
Laurie,
There are different factors that can effect my recommendations but generally, you are probably better off taking the AP course and getting a slightly lower grade. The best, of course, is taking the AP and getting an A.
As far as which course to take there is no one right answer. Based on the limited information provided I would lean toward the major studio art class since your focus is on art. Also, since you appear to have some background in Latin and none so far in French, I would go with the Latin AP class. If you really like languages and if you have the chance senior year, taking the accelerated French class would be a good option. Most colleges will have no preference for French or Latin so I would go with what you already have, Latin.
Comment by Todd Johnson — January 7, 2010 @ 12:23 pm