History/social sciences - spin-off of world language thread

[Anonymous]

Inspired by the UVA thread…

Harvard recommends “[t]he study of history for at least two years, and preferably three years: American history, European history, and one additional advanced history course” in high school.” DC has already taken World and US, and would prefer to take Econ over Euro, but not if it’s going to be a dealbreaker come admissions time (and yes, DC understands that the odds of acceptance are minimal regardless, but anything is more than zero). Anyone on this forum know of any recent Harvard acceptances without having taken Euro? Back in the dark ages when I was going through this process, I simply took Euro without question, but as far as I know, H is the only “top” school that still specifically recommends it.

[Anonymous]

Can they take both in additional to their other coursework or at the expense of a subject they are less interested in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can they take both in additional to their other coursework or at the expense of a subject they are less interested in?

History is already DC’s least favorite subject (still excels in it, however).

[Anonymous]

Your kid isn't going to Harvard so it's pointless to care what Harvard wants or to let that determine your kid's HS curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid isn't going to Harvard so it's pointless to care what Harvard wants or to let that determine your kid's HS curriculum.

Well... somebody gets accepted to Harvard. Over 700 kids, in fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid isn't going to Harvard so it's pointless to care what Harvard wants or to let that determine your kid's HS curriculum.

Well... somebody gets accepted to Harvard. Over 700 kids, in fact.

Thanks, PP! And that 700+ figure is EA. Total figure is ~2000. DC understands it’s still a lottery - just wants to maximize the number of tickets in hand (legacy, course selection, etc.). Leaning towards just taking Euro, but I said I’d run it by DCUM just in case anyone had heard of recent admits who hadn’t taken it.

[Anonymous]

So they're a rising junior? Could they take a government class in lieu of Euro?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So they're a rising junior? Could they take a government class in lieu of Euro?

If so, could they take Euro senior year if need be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So they're a rising junior? Could they take a government class in lieu of Euro?

Appreciate your suggestion, but DC wouldn’t want to do that. Interest in Econ > Euro > Government.

[Anonymous]

What are they interested in studying in college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are they interested in studying in college?

Applied Math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So they're a rising junior? Could they take a government class in lieu of Euro?

If so, could they take Euro senior year if need be?

+1 Could they make a decision next year? I honestly think Econ is a solid replacement for Euro.

[Anonymous]

My sister was admitted to Harvard with WH1, WH2, US/VA and US GOVT. No Euro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My sister was admitted to Harvard with WH1, WH2, US/VA and US GOVT. No Euro.

Thank you! What year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are they interested in studying in college?

Applied Math

Then I would take Econ. Much more useful with a math degree than Euro.

I'm a huge proponent of kids taking classes in HS that they like, along with playing the "how to get into college guide".
I let my top stat kid skip APUSH/AP 11th English and focus on 4 STEM classes. My kid only took 3 history (WH1/2/3, Civics and US Hist) but added AP Psych because it's a course that actually interests them. Also took 3 or 4 AP MATH/SCI/CS/STEM classes junior and senior years for total of 9.