One other question is whether the counselor will mark that she chose the “most demanding” schedule for various possible schedules (e.g. with AP biology or with something else instead of that).
I would counsel too many APs Senior year, and this is why.
In the fall, you are in college application season. You may be taking the SAT again. You may want to visit some more colleges. You have to write college- specific essays (hopefully you already wrote your common app essay over the summer.). You have to fill out your Common App and get recommendations.
Also you may be in marching band or Sports or be a leader of a club. College Apps is like another timesucking EC on top of that.
Then in the spring, you may have senioritis. You are been accepted to college and are looking toward the finish line. You have to study for the AP tests…it will be difficult to study for too many at once.
Stanford U says:
“We expect applicants to pursue a reasonably challenging curriculum, choosing courses from among the most demanding courses available at your school. We ask you to exercise good judgment and to consult with your counselor, teachers and parents as you construct a curriculum that is right for you. Our hope is that your curriculum will inspire you to develop your intellectual passions, not suffer from unnecessary stress. The students who thrive at Stanford are those who are genuinely excited about learning, not necessarily those who take every single AP or IB, Honors or Accelerated class just because it has that designation.”
“The College Board needs to say a similar thing about taking A.P. courses. We have data that taking up to five A.P. courses over the course of high school helps students complete college on time. But there is no evidence that excessively cramming your schedule with A.P. classes advances you. Let us say to students, ‘If you would like to take more than 5 A.P. courses because you love the class, do so, but not to get into college.’
@bopper, I totally hear you. I asked her if she’d drop AP Bio now and take something totally relaxing like ceramics. She said mom, but all my friends are going to take AP Bio, chances are I’ll be in class with at least someone.
Also, it looks like supplemental essays (at least for places D is considering) stay the same year after year, or at least change relatively little, so it may be possible to start early on them, too, I guess. We’ll play it by ear and see how it goes. Thanks!
My D19 is taking 7 AP’s (Poly Sci and Econ are one semester). I can relate to your daughters comments that everyone is taking AP Bio. It is important to consider this. My daughter studies with her friends, swap notes with them, texts them for questions and for her, that is more relaxing. If she goes with your advice and gets in a class with kids she doesn’t know, she might actually stress more. Maybe a class like ceramics won’t come as naturally, and other kids are more comfortable in an artistic environment, or if she takes an easy class that students slack in to get by, she might adjust to fit in and that which might be out of character. I think it is good if you talk to her and let her know she doesn’t have to push herself, explore the curriculum with her, but let her go with what she feels best her senior year.
There’s nothing magical about AP courses - they’re just the advanced, rigorous version. A very talented student who has taken the top level courses, whether named AP, Honors, etc., won’t suddenly hit a wall because of the AP title attached to a class.
If she’s handling 4 APs fine along with, presumably 2 other honors/challenging courses, I don’t really see a difference. (or is she taking 4 APs, gym, choir, wood shop and a study hall?)
@19parent, thanks for the vote of confidence. I am glad I’m not crazy in my thinking. Most of my D’s friends will finish HS with at least two AP sciences - Bio and Physics, since they allowed taking AP Physics junior year instead of regular physics. She took just regular physics and opted for Calculus AB even though her friends all went straight to BC. I could tell she was a bit lonely in AB without her friends, but it was the right choice for her.
@RichInPitt, thanks for your support :). Her non-AP classes this year are regular physics and Advanced English 3 (at her school English APs are offered only senior year, so before that it’s either regular or advanced English). I had to chuckle at wood shop - now THAT would be a challenging class for her 