<p>I took 6 AP classes the first semester of my senior year. </p>
<p>However, I was planning on taking 5 AP classes the second semester. I'm still completing all the full year courses, I'm just not going to take AP Macro Economics (took Micro first semester) </p>
<p>How will this look to colleges? Will they think I'm slacking off? I'm afraid that since I'm applying to highly selective schools, other applicants will be taking 6 AP classes for both semesters and be at a slight advantage.</p>
<p>I really want to relax and enjoy senior year but if it'll hinder my chances of getting into the colleges I want, I wouldn't do it. </p>
<p>I was planning on looking for a part time job during the extra time I have if I didn't have a 6th period.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>That will not be a problem. 5 vs 6 is not seen as slacking off. Won’t you have your acceptance by then anyway? Taking 6 one semester isn’t typical. Most won’t be, some will be and some may be dual enrolled. Do not take a job, wait until summer. Every year good students report back that they ended up with a D and rescinded from their college.</p>
<p>If you didn’t report the econ class in your apps, I fully agree with BrownP. </p>
<p>But, if this is a change from the anticipated schedule you wrote in your apps, your GC will probably send an optional report noting the change (or note it in the mid-year report, if that has not already been sent). Dropping an AP is not a huge deal, but if reported to your schools it will be an indication of exactly what you are saying - you are shying away from a heavier course load. </p>
<p>6 APs is a lot, but in your HS it sounds like many of the top students rise to the challenge. Our kids’ HS is the same way. The best students here take 7 APs senior year. </p>
<p>The baseline requirement in the RD round at highly selective schools is students who comfortably manage great grades taking very rigorous loads. If your GC doesn’t explain away the change (schedule conflict or something like that), I do think it could be a factor in RD admissions. If you do it and aren’t admitted to your top schools, you will always wonder if that’s why.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help! I decided to take 5 periods and look for opportunities related to education, and see if I shadow a teacher to get experience for my major.</p>
<p>Hopefully colleges would look favorably upon that and not dock me for not taking advantage of all the AP courses offered at my school.</p>