Muskego National AP Scholar Reflects on Studies at UW-Madison

National AP Scholar Samantha Holten of Muskego is reaping the rewards of her hard work at Muskego High School, finishing up her first year of studies at University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Holten, who earned the distinction last year as a senior at Muskego High School, said the nine AP classes she took in high school are making her college experience more efficient, and affordable.

“The nice part about the AP classes is I have enough credits coming in that I could graduate within three years if I wanted to,” Holten said. “I don’t have to stress out about taking too many credits each semester. I took 16 in the fall and I’m just taking 14 now.”

The daughter of Muskego residents Larry and Pam Holten, Samantha scored a 33 on the ACT test and earned a 4.6 gpa at Muskego High School. To qualify as a National AP Scholar, completion of eight AP classes and a score of 4 our higher on all the tests is required. She plans to double major in Spanish and an area of biology, with aspirations to attend graduate or medical school. Rigorous AP coursework helped prepare her for the demands of the university, she said.

“The first AP class I took (U.S. history), I think really helped me in the long run, with helping me learn how to work hard and giving me the experience of knowing if I wanted something to keep working on it,” she said.

Her academic success is also strong in her first year at UW. She tested into an honors chemistry class, which was only open to 30 freshmen. She also tested into a higher level of Spanish. It all comes with commitment – Holten studies 4-6 hours every night.

During high school, her parents encouraged her to stay focused when she felt disappointed with her results.

“They helped me a lot,” she said. “They just told me everything would be ok, they said just look at what you did wrong so you know what to do better next time.”

She’s also made the UW campus her home away from home, and is considering travel to another country for part of her college experience.

“Now that it’s warming up outside, I try to spend time at the Farmers’ Markets and walking along the lakeshore,” she said. “I have alwayswanted to study abroad for a semester. I am thinking I either want to go to Spain or Australia.”

With perspective from the faculty members who are involved with major research projects with UW-Madison, Holten said she’s inspired to become more involved with the medical community. Planning to volunteer at the university’s hospital next year and to take on a part time job, Holten said she loves hearing about her professors’ projects.

“I am in awe of the capacity and intelligence of the faculty at Madison,” she said. “I have a lot of really good professors.  It’s nice to hear their stories and why they are doing what they’re doing.”