QUESTION: I am a sophomore in high school with a 4.5 GPA. I plan to take eight math classes by the end of high school, and in my junior year I plan to take two AP and one honors science class. Has anybody taken three AP science classes in the same year? What are my chances to get into a good college, and does the above scenario improve my chances? Signed, Mad About Stanford

Dear Mad About Stanford: Having a high GPA and taking the most challenging classes in your school will definitely help you. It really doesn’t matter if they are science or English classes. What matters is that you are willing to challenge yourself.

The only possible danger is if all you do in high school is take challenging courses. To get into selective colleges like Stanford you need to do more than get good grades and take hard classes. You also need to follow your passions outside of the classroom. If your passion is science, as it appears to be, then get involved with activities related to science. Consider taking a summer school course at a local college, doing independent research or working in a laboratory.

Also, by taking so many science courses, don’t neglect other areas like history and English. Your schedule can be weighted toward the sciences, but it shouldn't be completely dominated by it.

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