<p>Assuming that your are still going to get a rigorous check mark, is it really worth it to take a lot of APs and Honors classes senior year. You'll already be accepted before 2nd semester grades come out and for some people (which I hope I'm a part of) don't even have 1st semester's grades complete when they have already sent in their transcript. So what I'm asking is 2 things. Whether on a general basis is taking a easier schedule senior put you at a disadvantage for top colleges? I'm also asking for advice on my current situation. I know I have 2nd quarter before I have to decide on next years classes by why not have some time to wait for responses and ask my gc some questions.</p>
<p>College will ask for your senior year schedule and consider the rigor level. Of course, you must do reasonably well in the listed courses to avoid any admission being rescinded.</p>
<p>It is desirable to have all three of the major sciences in your high school course list.</p>
<p>As far as APs go, check the colleges you are interested in to see which ones would actually be valuable for subject credit and placement in your intended major.</p>
<p>Schools just want to see that you are willing to challenge yourself given the available courses at your high school. College Admissions is not a contest to see who can take the most APs. Best of luck.</p>
<p>Unless you are a recruited athlete, you will not do well in admissions at the most selective colleges without taking a schedule packed with AP classes, if offered at your school, and doing well with them on your transcript. If you are not taking full advantage of the resources at your high school, they reason, you are not going to take advantage of what they have to offer and they would sooner give the spot to someone who will.</p>
<p>FWIW, many of these selective schools will not give credit for AP classes so whether it is worth spending hundreds of dollars on these exams come May of senior year is up for debate.</p>
<p>I think 6 APs is lot to handle on top of the college admissions process. I would choose to reduce it by one or two.
Colleges will make decisions based on your first half of your senior year, but they will also get transcripts at the end of year to make sure any accepted students don’t slack off too much.</p>
<p>So from what I’m hearing you should definately take AP classes (as already noted). It also looks like 4-5 AP classes are a good amount. Now I ask for my situation personally. Should I take out AP Psych or Physics H. AP Psych is a accepted at many colleges and I class I’d like to get exempt from. But also as posted above, it looks good if you have all 3 major sciences. I’m still undecided for my major but I’m leaning towards Political Science and Economics. Thanks for any insight</p>
<p>If you are leaning towards a social science major, then drop the physics.
Why are you concerned with getting “exempt” from Psych, you won’t be forced to take it in college?</p>
<p>If you’re determined to take one out, take out AP Psych. The quantity of AP’s you take are not nearly as important as completing a full sequence in math and science (algebra->calc and bio->physics).</p>
<p>If you are aiming high for colleges, consider keeping both of them. If your school has a 9 period day as your 1st post suggests, Macro and Gov will be ridiculously easy (as they are usually one-semester courses). If I were you I’d throw in a language or easy elective, a lunch and a free period are more than enough.</p>
<p>Macro and Gov are both full year classes at my school. I’ve also decided not to take a language as I’m barely getting A’s in CP classes and I already have 4 years of it. </p>
<p>I was originally thinking of taking both Psych and Physics but I questioned whether I would be able to ‘get away with not taking one’ since its senior year. I was also hoping to get an open but could for go that if you guys convince me its needed.</p>
<p>Your school offers these resources. Other students will take advantage of them. You should too. Both for the educational benefit (not everyone has these opportunities–don’t throw them away) and for academic rigor in admissions.</p>
<p>Short answer: it matters, but not as much as the rest of high school did. Of course they want to see you challenge yourself and do well, but it is not the only thing that matters, obviously. Good luck :)</p>
<p>Rigor = Good. Entering college as a Soph = better. Yes, AP’s are important if you score well, and your school takes them. My son did waste a 5 in Physics A - his college only takes calc based Physics, so only his 5 in Physics C counts. </p>
<p>However, everyone is different, and YOU are the one that has to be able to handle your classes, grades and ECs. My best advice - do what you can and don’t stress.</p>