Question
I heard you need to a rigorous course schedule to get into Ivy leagues? Is that true? Seeing as your a Harvard student I figured i would ask you xD
Answer
Usually, yes, you need a rigorous course load. It's adjusted for your school though, so you're not expected to take 30 APs if your school only offers 10. I went to an IB school, so I took mostly IBs, some APs and a couple electives. The bulk of your classes should definitely be the highest track (AP/IB or Honors..) but don't just take hard (and uninteresting) classes like Triple Advanced Calculus. That, as weird as it is, is the easy path. There are tons of kids who apply that have taken a boatload of hard courses. But doing something interesting? Like a modern art class or even band? That's different. Band's not that unique to be honest, but if you're a Type A, take the hardest schedule possible, then it doesn't make you seem much different unless your ABSOLUTELY ACE everything...which is a lot to ask.
So the short answer is, yes take rigorous courses but also take an elective or two that interest you. It makes you seem more real, and is just plain good to do for personal growth, etc. Colleges get a 'school profile' so they know what courses are offered, and your schedule and grades should be impressive based on that school profile. Moreover, your guidance counselor probably will have to complete a form for your apps that details info like rank and GPA, and they also have to mark on a scale of least rigorous to most rigorous, what your schedule was like. So just keep that in mind.
Does that help? Where are you thinking about applying?
