<p>I'm having a bit of a... quandary, I guess. I'll preface it by saying that I enrolled in very difficult classes for my senior year in high school (Physics-A, Pre-Calc.-A, English IV A.P.), assuming that I could manage the workload from the get-go. I then found out that I got the lead in the school play. On top of this, I've been focusing heavily on art/design lately, which I figure I wanna pursue in college. However, I have never taken an art class in high school, as my past schedules have not permitted me to make that kind of move.</p>
<p>Long story short, I want to drop Pre-Calc.-A and instead take Drawing, which meets the same period. I would receive a half credit for Drawing, and then next semester I hope to enroll in Statistics (which would also give me a half credit). I would then finish my high school year career with 3.5 years of math, and have an opportunity to do something that I actually want to do, not something that simply glamorizes a transcript. I feel as though the homework and test preparation that Pre-Calc. demands is burdensome, it could be detrimental to my GPA in the long run, I've heard the course essentially reviews Algebra II with Trigonometry, and I am just not very enthusiastic about math. Therefore, my question is this: Will more prestigious colleges and universities look down on me for making this kind of decision? Is it worth it to compromise an advanced course for one that is not exactly "noteworthy," yet may be more fun/beneficial in the long run?</p>
<p>Any advice that anyone can offer would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Well, I am not an adcom, nor am I someone who's went through the process. I am a high school senior just like you. When I read/asked questions like this, I found out that: 1) There are many great colleges that you can get into with that course load. Extremely selective colleges and Ivy's, I don't know. It depends on the strength of the remainder of your application. 2) As far as an art/design major in college goes, a lot of people need to submit portfolios of their work. So if you are really considering these majors, taking Drawing may help you fill up your portfolio. 3) Earlier today, I decided to stop padding my GPA with easier classes and (wo)man up to some of the hardest APs at my high school. Senior year is supposed to be fun, but at the same time, things have to get done. You have lead in school play (congrats), passion for art/design, and academic classes as well. You have to take an honest look at your schedule and decide if you can squeeze in some art/design related EC to keep Pre-Calc on your schedule.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn't give you a definite answer. But some things to think about.</p>
<p>"I would then finish my high school year career with 3.5 years of math, and have an opportunity to do something that I actually want to do, not something that simply glamorizes a transcript."</p>
<p>Your instincts about wanting to have a life outside the college application process are spot-on. Take Drawing. Save your energy for learning your lines for the play!</p>
<p>Just make sure that 3.5 years of math is enough to earn you a HS diploma in your school district. Happykid's school district requires 4 years. She's going to take Consumer Math instead of pre-Calc senior year.</p>