I was wondering if colleges would look down upon taking 2 study halls. I’m taking 6 AP classes next year: Physics 1, Calc AB, Comp. Sci A, US History, Chem, English Lang. Basically, I’ve already met most of my graduation requirements and have taken 4 years of a foreign language, 4 years of math, 2 years of science, 2 years of English, 2 years of Social Studies, as well as numerous electives. Side note: I’m going into Junior year.
Like, I don’t want to die and take another AP, but I also don’t want to take a regular class and have my rank/gpa go down
Look at the reqs of your desired colleges, not just your HS grad reqs.
Thank you I’m planning on taking 4+ of all my core classes by the time I’m a senior (which is the requirement for most schools I believe). I just don’t know about the general idea of taking only 6 classes.
How many courses do most students targeting similar schools as you take. Very few school require/allow 8 courses. But taking a non-AP course will likely have minimal impact on your rank/GPA. On the flip side, overloading with APs will impact your rank/GPA if you are so overextended that your grades tank.
Don’t chose not to take a course because it is not an AP course. Schools like well rounded students. Take an art or music class. While it is not listed as a requirement most colleges want students with at least one year of fine arts.
The non AP courses and activities will be was set you apart from everyone else. If all you do is take AP classes and study after school you will look like a normal smart student. Which is fine if you plan to attend a state school, but top university’s will probably want more. (Ex. Want to go into a engineering take a engineering class at your school, or if you want to become a medical professional, volunteer at your local hospital).
Also think “will I have time to study for these classes” and “will taking these classes prevent me from doing things important to me”?
Most colleges will not look down at taking study hall, but it will not help you in ANY way
Many students arrange their schedules to end early if they have two open periods, and then leave campus to get a job or participate in a sport or lessons. You still have 6 courses, which is the max at a lot of schools.
4: Thank you for your response and insight. Most students at my school take 7 classes, I took 9 last year, and 8 the year before. Also, at my school, an A in a regular class is worth the same as a C in an AP class.
5: I've taken 2 years of debate, which is a "fine arts" of sorts, and would take it again but the 3rd-year debate class consists of busywork, so I've opted to just be in the club. Also, YES I just plan on going to a state school, as it is the most economical option. Either way, I don't just study for APs, I have a job, I compete in various club, I tutor students in reading, etc. I apologize for not providing a list of extracurricular activities, however, it didn't really pertain to my question. Also, I'm taking a CS class, because that's my intended major, so... what you said about taking an engineering class I completely agree with and am doing so. I don't see how a random non-AP class I really don't have interest in will set me apart, I'm not going to take band or something my junior year, which if I want to see results in will require a lot of effort instead of focusing that time towards things I enjoy, like learning new programming languages. Either way, thank you for your commentary, it gave me a lot to consider.
Choose EITHER AP Chem or AP CS A. Take the other one senior year. NO need to triple up in science classes!
Stick to 5 Ap’s (already VERY VERY difficult) and take one fun class. Considering the 5 AP’s, taking 2 free periods would be fine. Colleges expect 5 academic classes per year (and 6 classes). Some high schools don’t allow more.
Do you have any community service history?
Sorry for a bit OT, but is 5 or 6 classes a day really normal? This doesn’t line up with my time in HS or my kids’ HS. They always have 6 normal one-period courses, a science that is one period plus two lab periods per week, and then gym or another 1/2 year class spread out over the year 2 or 3 days per week. So 7.9 units, as we classify them. Some do 7.4 and have 3 study hall periods per week. I don’t think I know anyone that has one period, every day, with nothing. Let alone 1.6 or 2.
My initial reaction to the question was that two free periods every day would be an outlier and would be noticed. Is our school way out of norm?
6-7 seems more of the norm. Some schools allow fewer for seniors. But that gets back to my earlier question as to what is “normal” for the OP’s school. Let’s not derail the thread by comparing high schools, since AOs will focus only on the OP’s. Great question, but one that deserves a separate conversation.