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If I'm planning to go to an ivy league school do I need to take science? I planning to double major in performing arts and law?

I'm Canadian and i'm required to take Grade 9 and 10 science. Do I also need to take physics, biology, or chemistry in grade 11 and 12.

#high-school #high-school-classes #Law #performing arts

Thank you comment icon Hey there, I'm a student as well in Ontario. It all depends on your program you apply to. I'm assuming you're in 9th grade. Best bet is to talk to your guidance counselor I want to do law as well so I'm taking AP English and International Law in grade 12. To do law school you need first a BA or BSA etc. Your best bet is to take higher level courses to stand out on applications. Meaning, you should try to take all Academic or AP courses. The point of this is basically to say, talk to your counselor, they will help you find a program to suit your specific goals. Johara

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George’s Answer

A well-rounded individual is always more interesting to any college or university. I highly recommend a broad range of subjects at the secondary level.
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Yasemin’s Answer

Hi Dara! So this may be different for Canada, but typically you do need certain classes in high school to graduate, that being said you may have to take certain science classes as well. Usually from my experience in America, I was offered certain classes that would fulfill my requirements to graduate, for example I took chemistry as a junior in high school ( we were required- grade 11) but I didn't have to take physics, I was offered AP classes as well as Anatomy and Physiology for my last year. I decided to challenge myself with AP Biology. Definitely do talk with your guidance counselor as they will have the most information for your requirements; however if you want to go to law I would recommend that maybe to take the requirements needed to graduate high school and not have to take AP science classes or further science classes. Usually some students who want to go into medicine take more rigorous science classes to prepare for college. If you have classes in your high school that align with your future career choices such as law classes (we had some in my high school as well as debate too) I would take them and just take the science classes needed to graduate if you don't need them for further education such as medicine or another science related field. Once again check with your guidance counselor and any of the universities you will be applying to; see what their curriculum is for students who major in performing arts and law and see what strengthens an applicant for that school.

I hope this helps and best of luck in your endeavors!

Yasemin recommends the following next steps:

Check with guidance counselor for what requirements needed to graduate
Check colleges interested in for curriculum and requirements to apply
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Michelle’s Answer

Hi Dara! Good for you for shooting high! I have degrees from Harvard and Duke, neither in the sciences. I would like to echo the recommendation to talk to your school guidance counselor. Anecdotally, I did take 4 years of science in high school.

Here's the thing about being "well-rounded": it's important, but it's not all it takes! I would recommend building the most rigorous academic course of study you can during high school, but not at the expense of developing and exploring your passion. You're interested in law and performing arts--that's great! Are you currently performing? Can you use your talents to give back to your community or advance social issues that are important to you? What kind of law do you hope to practice? How can you explore that during your high school years? How do your two passions intersect? How can you take your unique abilities, let them bloom at [your school of choice], and go out and make the world a better place?

To sum up, there isn't a "magic" number of sciences or math or anything else you must take to achieve your Ivy League dreams. Showing a good degree of mastery across all academic subjects is important--build a challenging schedule and do the best you can in every class. However, you should also make academic choices that make sense for your aspirations and leave you time to develop your passions. Best of luck to you!
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Marini’s Answer

You should schedule a meeting with your guidance counselor. If you have specific schools in mind, review their requirements. Although your major will not be science based, colleges may still require so many hours of science when applying. Researching each school's requirements is going to be best to determine what classes are required.
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Thomas’s Answer

It would definitely give you a more balanced application if you take science class too. It is also good to have knowledge outside your specific career or field of interest.
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Kim’s Answer

The field of law is interesting because it touches on EVERY other field. Including science. There's medical malpractice, criminal defense, criminal prosecution, products liability, premises liability, to name just a few that touch on science.

Additionally, people make reference to various things in court, and it's nice to know what they are referring to. If someone said, "he was smart as Young Sheldon," you would likely know what it meant. But references could be to science, the Bible, Shakespeare, Greek & Roman civilization, etc. It really helps to be well-rounded.

If the thought of advanced science is intimidating (and you did not state a reason for not wanting to take it), you need to tackle such issues long before getting to law school! You can't let fear of failure hold you back - it needs to be met head-on.

Kim
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