Bad idea to have a partial schedule Sr year?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi Everyone, I am a senior in high school and I am wondering whether taking a partial schedule looks bad to colleges. I know people say not to slack off senior year- which I agree with. I am taking 4 out of the traditional 6, but it's not like they are easy classes. All 4 of them are AP (AP Calc BC, AP Spanish 5/6, AP Biology, and AP Lit). In addition to that, I am taking US Gov and Econ online because they are required for seniors. So that being said, am I okay with a short schedule because I'm taking hard classes? I don't want to do anything that will hurt my chances. Thanks </p>

2

<p>Depends on where you’re applying. If it has fierce competition, then your 4-5 classes won’t get you noticed when some college applicant pools have kids taking 6-7 classes with the bulk of them AP or IB level of rigor. If your suite of target colleges isn’t crazy, then doing well in the 4-5 courses you’ve chosen is a very sensible idea.</p>

<p>It all just depends…</p>

<p>EDIT: I just checked your “chance me” thread. I think you’re fine.</p>

3

<p>More to the point, it depends on how many courses other kids in your school will be taking, and how rigorous your counselor will rate your schedule on the Secondary School Report.</p>

4

<p>My counselor is actually the one who advised me to take a lighter class load. I have anxiety which causes me to miss some school, and I also have a job that I am currently working at 30 hours per week. I thought having less, but still rigorous, classes would be the best way to keep my sanity. Thanks for the feedback. </p>

5

<p>BUMP</p>

6

<p>You’re actually taking 6 classes even if 2 are online - on your list of classes for senior year, you’ll list all 6. You’ll be fine. Also, remember that even for very selective colleges, working 30 hours a week is considered a strong EC since it shows commitment and adult-level responsibility (since few teens work 30 hours a week “just for fun”.)</p>

7

<p>I would go back to your guidance counselor and ask the following question:</p>

<p>

For selective colleges, you need the “Most Demanding” rating from your GC, especially as other student’s at your school will be taking a heavier course load. When you apply to college, the rigor of your schedule is going to be directly compared to all other college bound student’s at your school.</p>

<p>Depending upon your GC’s answer, and the colleges on your list, you might need to make adjustments and take additional classes to get that “Most Demanding” rating. See p2, upper right hand section: <a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;