Most Rigorous Curriculum

[Anonymous]

Is this subjective or are there defined requirements by school for receiving this designation. Which child (hypothetical) below would receive the designation?

Child 1:
AP Lit
AP Lang
APUSH
AP Gov
H. Physics
AP Environmental
French 5
Pre Calc
AP Stats

Child 2:
MV/Dif EQ/LA
AP Physics: Mechanics
AP Physics: E&M
AP Chem
AP Environmental
AP Stats
H. English 12
ASL 4
H. US History
H. NSL Gov
AP Micro/Macro

[Anonymous]

Ask the guidance counselor. We don't know what's offered at your school.

[Anonymous]

First is stronger in humanities, 2nd in STEM.

A more rigorous student would have maxed both sides: APUSH, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Chem, BC Calc and Multivariate, AP French, etc.

[Anonymous]

What’s the major? Your transcript is read with your listed major in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First is stronger in humanities, 2nd in STEM.

A more rigorous student would have maxed both sides: APUSH, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Chem, BC Calc and Multivariate, AP French, etc.

Agree. But that's my question. Do only the students who max BOTH humanities and STEM receive the designation? Students who are strong in one or the other do not?

[Anonymous]

Some of you seriously need help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the major? Your transcript is read with your listed major in mind.

Let's say that the student is Undecided at the time of the application.

[Anonymous]

It comes down to the box checked by your kids counselor. Schools may or may not care. AOs will most likely look at courses and grades. If applying in state they will be familiar with offerings at your kids school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First is stronger in humanities, 2nd in STEM.

A more rigorous student would have maxed both sides: APUSH, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Chem, BC Calc and Multivariate, AP French, etc.

There is quite a bit of information available from counselors/experts on the disproportionate role of AP Calc in college admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you seriously need help.

Yeah, I totally agree.

[Anonymous]

In this context, “most” does not literally means “most.” It’s an intensifier, not a superlative. It would be better if they said “highly rigorous.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this context, “most” does not literally means “most.” It’s an intensifier, not a superlative. It would be better if they said “highly rigorous.”

Yes, you don’t have to be #1. Ask your counselor. It is school dependent and no one here can answer this for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this subjective or are there defined requirements by school for receiving this designation. Which child (hypothetical) below would receive the designation?

Child 1:
AP Lit
AP Lang
APUSH
AP Gov
H. Physics
AP Environmental
French 5
Pre Calc
AP Stats

Child 2:
MV/Dif EQ/LA
AP Physics: Mechanics
AP Physics: E&M
AP Chem
AP Environmental
AP Stats
H. English 12
ASL 4
H. US History
H. NSL Gov
AP Micro/Macro

Is this a joke? It is the second one.
But at least in our high school the second one is still not "highest rigor". There will be about 12-15 kids each year who run the table with top courses across all disciplines:

MVC as highest math
AP Chem
AP PhysicsC
AP lit
AP foreign lang
APUSH
and the last few AP spots possible will be some mix of AP bio or Econ or gov or Compsci, or one of the post-AP honors courses(organic chem, specific niche history or literature seminars).

That group, which is roughly the top 15% of the class rigor-wise, is where every unhooked ivy admit comes from, whether they have a couple A- or B+and are in the low end of the top 10% or whether they are the Valedictorian with A/A+ in everything. Rigor is more important than small differences in GPA. This is a top private that sends about 10% to ivy+ and 40% to T25/top8 LAC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First is stronger in humanities, 2nd in STEM.

A more rigorous student would have maxed both sides: APUSH, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Chem, BC Calc and Multivariate, AP French, etc.

Agree. But that's my question. Do only the students who max BOTH humanities and STEM receive the designation? Students who are strong in one or the other do not?

You need to ask this if your high school counselor because only they check off the “most rigorous” box and rigor varies from
high school to high school.

[Anonymous]

Neither of them are really “highest rigor.”