Reply to Parents of seniors - what should my 9th grader be doing now to ensure a solid college application?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Take at least Calc AB by 12th, as well as at least 4 years of foreign language and at least an honors physics course.

This is regardless of intended major if you’re aiming for top schools.[/quote]

This kind of advice is a great way to end up with a kid with mental health issues. Kids should never start off with the assumption that they're going to be applying to "top schools" and then try to force their way into being a strong candidate by following some formula that's worked for others. They should work hard in the most rigorous courses they can be successful in and [b]then see what's possible[/b].[/quote]

Then you realize in 12th grade that you haven’t taken the courses you needed to take if you decide to apply to top schools. [/quote]

Do you really think the most selective colleges will turn down a kid with scores of 5 on every math and science AP offered because they didn't take a language all 4 years? That they'll pass on a winner of a national award in journalism because they never made it to calculus?

Kids should do what they love and are good at, and put everything they've got into that. Stop trying to figure out a formula and then trying to force it to work for every kid.[/quote]

Sure there are exceptions for the national journalism award or the kid who is majoring in dance and is in shows 4x a year at Washington ballet, but that isn’t most kids, not even your “smart” kids who is the lead in the plays and in the select choir is viewed like that - they want to see calculus for those “average local stars” if the school they are applying to is selective.  Colleges have firm things that will eliminate the general student - xx score, calculus, 4 yes language etc.  it’s a universal way to start the weeding out process. [/quote]

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