<p>Currently, I only have 5 classes(3aps), but the previous year I had 6(4aps). Unfortunately, my school's AP classes filled up quickly and I will probably only end up with 3 aps. So, should I try to at least maintain 6 by taking a random class that probably won't look too challenging to adcoms? (ie: cooking class) Or would it not matter?</p>
<p>From what I read, my senior schedule should be more rigorous than my junior one if I am applying to a high tier college. Is this correct? if so, what which colleges would be considered borderline colleges that are reasonably good but don't frown upon slightly less rigorous schedules.</p>
<p>Final Note: If I plan on only applying to UCs do you think I can get away with a slightly less difficult senior schedule? (compared with my junior schedule) </p>
<p>Even if you’re just aiming at UCs, keep the schedule at least as rigorous as prior years. Add community college classes if you can’t get APs. Any selective college cares.</p>
<p>yeah colleges don’t care about the quantity of classes you are taking its the quality of those specific classes. Most people at my school take 5 classes a year but 3/4 of them are AP’s.</p>
<p>Eh. I think this is a case-by-case thing. When I was a junior, I took 8 APs and a grad-level French lit class at the local university. When I was a senior, I took 8 classes again, but they included only 2 APs and a dual-credit creative writing class. I took more electives - music theory, lab chem II, an independent study in French, anatomy & physiology - and it was nice. It didn’t seem to hurt me getting into top colleges.</p>
<p>I think the key is more to not look like you are slacking.</p>
<p>jessiehl has a point about not looking like you’re slacking. But there are also times you need to make choices based on what is best for you or important to you - not just what will make you look good to an adcom. </p>
<p>My son was concerned because he had 6 classes last year (1 AP, 3 pre-AP, 2 regular) + band. His schedule this year was supposed to be 2 AP (Calc and Phys), 2 dual credit, 1 technical/Engr elective, and 2 band classes (including one that is by audition only). He is also taking a course (non AP) via correspondence. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, there was a schedule conflict with the elective class and there was no way to take it without dropping his regular band class. Since he is one of the top players in the top performing band - there was no way he was dropping that. There were no decent electives for him to take during the period he had free (nothing he was even remotely interested in) - so he’s just taking a study hall. And since the study hall is just before his band class - he is actually using that time for extra practice.</p>
<p>Is is as rigorous as he would like? Nope. Is he losing sleep over it? Nope.</p>
<p>The band classes are important to him (altho that will not be his major) and he hopes to continue being in a band (marching and jazz) in college.</p>
<p>Of course, he’s also not applying to the ivies or MIT or Cal Tech. </p>
<p>Oh -as an aside - should he list the correspondence class (just a 1 semester class) on his applications as courses currently taking? He wasn’t sure since it won’t show up on his transcript until it is completed.</p>
<p>I’m managing 3/6 (it is, by a unfortunate twist of fate, impossible for me to take all 6).</p>
<p>Anyway, I say just keep the rigor on. I mean, if you still have around the same number of rigorous courses, and you want to take an easy elective you’re interested in, why not?</p>
<p>Just don’t drop down from multiple AP’s to 0 AP’s.</p>
<p>My schedule has gotten progressively more difficult over the last four years (in accordance with what is available to me), which is what colleges are looking for.</p>
<p>Rigor = Important, but Rigor is not defined as quantity. Go for the around the same number of rigorous class (if not more), but don’t feel the need to add tons of extra easy classes just so you’ll have more classes.</p>