Honors vs. Standard classes?

Question

I am currently a junior in high school. I don't take any honors or AP classes in high school. However, I get staight A's on my report card. Doesn't it look better to get A's in standrad classes than a C in an honors classes, or do colleges really care a lot about honors classes? Will some colleges automatically reject if you haven't taken honors classes!?

Answer 1

No colleges won't automatically reject you if you don't have honors classes and your A's in regular courses are still great. The reason why colleges encourage students to take AP classes is because it lets them know you can handle a college course. Since AP courses allow students to get college credit once they pass the test, the courses are a little more difficult and in dept just like they are at a university. I would advise you to take an AP course next year since you seem to be pretty good with the regular courses. Taking regular courses doesn't hurt your chances of getting in, but taking an AP course with a good grade definately helps. Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Colleges would much rather see a B in an Honors class than an A in a regular class. It is worth it to take the Honors classes! Some colleges will automatically reject you if they don't see Honors and AP classes because there will be applicants WITH these classes to consider.

Answer 3

All of the answers here are really good, but I would also recommend taking some Honors and AP classes just so you can challenge yourself.

I think a lot of HS students worry so much about getting into college that they don't think about what happens when they get there. AP classes really give you a good idea of the work you need to put in for college courses. They also help teach you good study habits - something you might definitely need.

Generally speaking, students who get Bs in HS do better in college because they had to work to get those grades. If you're a straight A student, I would recommend taking those harder courses just so that you'll challenge yourself, learn extra study habits, and really be prepared for WHEN you get your acceptance letter.

Answer 4

There are a number of different factors and GPA is just one. Nothing is a sure bet and nothing is a sure disqualification.

However, at top schools, the majority of students will have high grades (A's etc) in honors and AP classes. Top schools will offer slots to those students first, who will pick their first choice. The second round will go to students who have slightly lower GPAs in the harder classes. Again, a small percentage will accept, a large percentage will not.

Eventually they will get to a group that have high GPAs in non-honors classes and good-average GPAs in honors and AP classes. At that point (and this is a huge group) they will be looking at multiple aspects of your application - SAT, work history, volunteering, community service and leadership, tutoring and mentoring - all these things. That's how they're going to distinguish who gets offers and who doesn't.

So without high grades in honors classes, you probably won't be one of the automatic people getting first slots in top colleges. However, you may get a second or third round choice, and in the end it doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is that you got in eventually.

So build up your resume in other ways, and apply to the schools you think you can reasonably get in to.

Answer 5

The type of stepped forward classes would not fairly help us, exceptionally considering many colleges call issues AP that do not have linked checks (are not easily AP training). inspect it this kind; anybody using to those colleges has the optimal grades in the hardest training and very severe attempt rankings, and maximum of those colleges take about 10% of applicants. because you've were given 11 on your record in case you practice to all of them, think ofyou've got a good shot at transferring right into a minimum of one in case you've were given impressive grades. besides the undeniable fact that it would help a lot more beneficial in case you had some thing else tremendous on your resume to boot grades and attempt rankings.

Answer 6

Seeing as you are getting straight A's I would say to get one of the classes you like best and move up a level...they do like to see that you challenge yourself...and you could always ask for help...They like it better when there is honors class...try it!!!!!!!