Which is Better: Getting an “A” or Taking the Harder Class?

Which is Better: Getting an “A” or Taking the Harder Class?

Around this time in the semester, high school students begin to plot their course schedule for next year. And as they weigh their options, they’ll be confronted by the age-old dilemma: should I protect my GPA and earn the highest grade possible, or should I take a risk and challenge myself in a more difficult class that might result in a B or lower?Spoiler alert: the best scenario is earning an A in the harder class.We recognize, however, that this isn’t always possible. Making a smart decision about which class to choose will have an impact on how a student is evaluated in the application process. Admissions officers, particularly at the most selective institutions, want to see students thrive while taking the most challenging courses they can handle.No two students are exactly alike; what you can handle will be different from your best friend or even your twin. Ask yourself the following questions to decide whether it makes sense for you to stretch for that honors or AP course.

Why Are You Taking the Class?

What is your motivation behind signing up for the class in question?Do you have a deep interest in the subject matter? If so, your passion for the material can make it easier to persevere when the class gets difficult. You’ll be more likely to seek help from your teacher, form a study group, or get a tutor if you are invested in what you’re learning.Is your motivation more closely tied to wanting to boost your GPA? While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your class rank or see your GPA climb high above 4.0 on your transcript, beware of this as your intrinsic motivation. You will have to put in extra effort to reap the rewards of taking this risk; if you’re not properly invested in the subject matter or have the time in your schedule to commit to extra work, you may struggle through the semester.Perhaps you’re considering taking an easier course to “protect” your GPA. This, too, is a double-edged sword. You might maintain a high average at the expense of demonstrative intellectual curiosity. Even more, the lack of challenge may leave you uninspired to do your best work, jeopardizing what should be an easy grade to earn and sacrificing a valuable learning opportunity.

What Are Your Future Goals?

How does the class in question fit into your longer-term plans? There is a greater expectation, for example, that a student who expresses interest in studying medicine will have taken AP Biology (assuming her school offers it) than AP Music Theory, and vice versa for a student who wants to become a composer.The courses you choose should make sense in furthering your story to colleges. The easier it is to get a picture of your academic passions and the vigor with which you pursue them, the more likely an admissions officer will get excited about your application.Strongly consider taking the advanced level course in subject areas of major interest to you. If you can only handle one or two advanced courses, prioritize these areas even if there are other classes with a reputation for being an easier path to increasing your weighted GPA.

What Does the Rest of Your Schedule Look Like?

It cannot be overstated: maintaining balance is key to your well-being. As you design your schedule for the next school year, consider how busy you will be with academic work and extracurricular obligations.Ask yourself the following:

• How manageable is your current workload?
• Are you pushing yourself to capacity or do you feel equipped to add more to your plate?
• Will you be gaining any major responsibilities outside of the classroom that will affect your time to study?
• What is your sense of the workload required from students who’ve already taken the class you’re considering?
• Will adding more rigor to your schedule significantly affect your mental health?

These answers are personal and should not be taken lightly. Only in doing this self-analysis can you begin to see the potential impact the class in question might have on the rest of your life. If you evaluate your schedule and realize that you have to sacrifice too much to do well in the advanced course, consider the standard level course. If, however, you come to the conclusion that you can withstand the increased pressure, go ahead and challenge yourself.

To Which Kind of Schools are You Applying?

Just as no two applicants are identical, neither are any two admissions offices. Priorities will vary from school to school in terms of how selective they are and what criteria matters most in the process.Schools with a more holistic admissions process are more likely to consider the story behind the GPA, looking as much at the letter grades and strength of schedule as they are the weighted numbers that appear at the bottom of the transcript.Other schools admit students using a more formulaic process. The UC system, for example, creates an index number based on GPA and test scores to determine eligibility for California residents. They also limit the amount of honors and AP courses that can be counted for weighting.Students and families should learn as much as they can about the admissions process at each of the schools that interest them. Understanding the subtle differences can help them make wiser choices about scheduling and representing themselves strongly.To be clear: the main goal of your high school career is for you to challenge yourself to the best of your ability and to foster a passion for lifelong learning. Even as you strategize which courses will look best on your application, maintain this learner’s mindset.Reflect honestly on your reasons for choosing each of the courses on your schedule before committing yourself to any one path. Many students find it valuable to talk through their schedule with an admissions expert who can help them think through how their choices are likely to be viewed at the schools that most interest them.The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.Ready to get started? Schedule a complimentary 20-minute conversation today!Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter.See what others are saying about us