Concerned About Admissions?

Applying to College
1

<p>I know colleges look to see if you continue to challenge yourself through your senior year, and I'm really nervous about if that will hurt my chances.</p>

<p>I had a really balanced and rigorous schedule lined up, but when I got my senior year schedule on the first day of school, it was all messed up.</p>

<p>I talked to my counselor, but apparently there are a lot of conflicts with my classes.</p>

<p>My whole senior year (8 classes total) I only have 3 academic classes, and 5 electives.</p>

<p>I can't take a science class because we got a new physics teacher, and he's only offering the class one period a day, and it's the same period as AP English. And I can't take AP Chem because it's one period a year, which is the same period as AP Calc. All the elective science classes (astronomy, physiology, anatomy, criminology) are only offered one period each, and they all conflict with English, Calc, or Advanced Theater which I auditioned for and signed a contract, and am therefore committed to.</p>

<p>I also can't take French IV because it's the same period as English as well.</p>

<p>I can't take AP Econ because it had summer work, and it's obviously too late to do that.</p>

<p>So my final schedule I ended up with is:</p>

<p>Fall:
Art 1
VAPA Intern (leading/directing a theater 1 class)
Advanced Theater, Honors
AP Gov</p>

<p>Spring
AP Calculus
AP Psychology
Advanced Children's Theater, Honors
AP English Lit</p>

<p>After going through the options with my counselor, it was the best I could possibly do. Originally I wasn't even in AP Gov, so I guess this is a smidge better. But I'm still worried colleges are going to think I got really lazy...</p>

2

<p>Just have your counselor write a letter explaining the situation and send that to colleges.</p>

3

<p>What about a class at a local college? Or online?</p>

4

<p>what pixels said. i think when they mean rigor, they mean don’t take all generals. if you have at least one advanced class in science, social studies, math, and english each, then it will look fine, unless it’s the ivys.</p>

5

<p>I’d do what both suggestors said. Have your GC explain the situation but also try an online/cc class for at least one core subject if you’re aiming for a competitive school.</p>

6

<p>You have gotten good advice from both pixels and Woodworker.</p>

<p>But whoever makes the master schedule for your school should be fired!</p>

7

<p>Well I don’t have time to take a college class after school because of my theater commitment. Starting in 2-3 weeks we have after school rehearsals that go to 7pm, sometimes 9 or 10 depending on the day. Plus I have a senior project to do. I barely have time to do the homework I already have…</p>

<p>Well, throughout high school, I’ve always taken the hardest classes I could. The only AP I’ve ever passed up was AP World, because I’m terrible at history.</p>

<p>I took Honors English both Freshman and Sophomore year, then took AP Comp as well as Honors Bio (no AP) and APUSH. I took up to French III (no honors or AP offered). Then this year I have AP Lit, AP Calc, AP Gov and AP Psych. Plus I’m two to three years ahead in math, as most seniors take Algebra II (which I took as a freshman).</p>

<p>Most of the AP’s my school offers are for seniors, so that’s why I have so many more this year.</p>

<p>I’m not aiming for an Ivy. I’m actually looking more into top CSU’s because I don’t really have the money for a UC. But since they’re planning on cutting back by 50% on admissions this fall, I’m a little more concerned than I would be!</p>