Class Choices

Hi everyone!

I haven't posted in a while, but I am a freshman in high school and my goal is to attend USMA. Freshman year I took two honors classes, and now I have the grades to move up to all honors, but my parents will not let me. As of now, my sophomore year will consist of honors math (Algebra 2 and trig), honors chemisty, and honors french 2. I am deciding right now whether or not to move up in either history or english. I understand USMA likes to see you taking all the hardest classes, but that is just not possible because my parents have said "choose one". I would really appreciate any guidance in this matter, and whether it is as big as a deal as it seems (I know this may seem like a silly question, but I am really focused on my goal, and I just want the best possible chance to attend USMA and become an officer.)
Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

I think the best solution, it might even impress your parents, is if you wrote down the pros and cons of taking both and made an essay on why you should be able to. Make it nice and printed possibly.

You could put the pros as:

Will get me used to a more strenuous schedule I will need at college.

Will challenge me in new ways.

Westpoint will have even more difficult classes crammed in and by taking this now you will get a glimpse of how hard work may be in the future.

Improves resume and GPA

Ect.

It may sound a little cheesy but I think they might appease an extra class if you went through the trouble to do that.




2019 WestPoint class appointee

Recipient of 4 year army rotc scholarship.

At our high school, we have college prep, honors, and AP. Most AP classes are for jr and sr year. College prep classes are for lower achievers. If that is how your school works, I suggest you clarify that with your parents and take all honors.

grace_murray204 said:

Hi everyone!

I haven't posted in a while, but I am a freshman in high school and my goal is to attend USMA. Freshman year I took two honors classes, and now I have the grades to move up to all honors, but my parents will not let me. As of now, my sophomore year will consist of honors math (Algebra 2 and trig), honors chemisty, and honors french 2. I am deciding right now whether or not to move up in either history or english. I understand USMA likes to see you taking all the hardest classes, but that is just not possible because my parents have said "choose one". I would really appreciate any guidance in this matter, and whether it is as big as a deal as it seems (I know this may seem like a silly question, but I am really focused on my goal, and I just want the best possible chance to attend USMA and become an officer.)
Thanks to everyone!!!!!!

Click to expand...

Where are your strengths and interests? A lot of kids have strong reading/writing skills, but so-so math skills. Others have a passion for history or science, but don't especially like to write. Kudos to you if you love them all and do well in all of them. Likely your parents don't want you to be overwhelmed with all honors classes, or they know where your strengths/weaknesses lie. Have an honest conversation with them about what you would like to do and what you think you're capable of doing. You may be capable of doing all honors classes individually, but assuming the honors classes have more homework/reading/requirements, etc, are you capable of keeping up with and getting As/Bs in all honors classes at the same time? Perhaps this is what your parents are concerned about. They know you better than any of us on this forum.

As an example, my DS took AP/college math, history and science classes because he had a passion/interest in those. He even doubled up on all three his soph-senior years. He took regular english classes, mostly because he loved to read (1000 page novels, not 19th century poetry) but didn't enjoy writing. Every parent/teacher conference his english teachers would say, "he should be in AP/honors english." I said "I know, but he's taking already taking 4-6 AP/honors classes" (out of 7). It was never an issue, and he was still challenged.

When my dd signed up for her Junior year classes, she decided to NOT take AP History to lighten her AP course load. But on the first day of school she marched in the counselor's office and asked to be moved into the AP class. Why? She took a look around in the regular history class and realized she was going to miss all of her AP/Honors friends. When I found out it was a "SOCIAL" decision for her to switch, I had to laugh. She said AP classes were funner because they had better jokes and less problem students. (something for your parents to think about.)

Yes... there is more homework; but DD also figured out how to study faster and smarter to keep up with the rigor. And yes.. I had to listen to all the complaining... but AP testing is almost done... and summer is just around the corner.

I teach 8th grade...I tell my kids that honors vs CP separates the wheat from the chaff. If they understand that, then they should be in honors.

Wow, I would just like to thank everyone for all the replies! I will definitely talk to my parents, and I think having four honors classes instead of five will be okay. I think my parents are trying to look out for me and trying to make sure I still get good grades. I intend to double up on Science and Math during my Junior and Senior year as I seem to be more interested in those classes as of right now. The social aspect is very much a part of my decision, as all my friends will be in all honors, but not in Algebra II (majority of freshman placed into Algebra and will be taking Geometry), and my CP1 (college prep courses) doesn't have as motivated students. In the end, I think I am going to move up into honors history, as it is a class I enjoy and am more interested in. The reason I posted this is to see if really not taking the hardest course load ever would make or break my chances of USMA (I know they love to see the hardest classes).
Thanks to all who replied and for all the great advice!