<p>Concerning high school course load, I wondering whether or not I should tack on a 6th class.</p>
<p>Right now I'm taking:</p>
<p>Russian Literature
Calculus
Adv. Enivromental Science
Political Economy
Independent Study - Spanish
Physics</p>
<p>Now, this my senior year, I have three leadership roles and a varsity sport this semester, plus I'm RA for my dorm. I know that with six classes and all my other commitments, I will probably end up with no more than an A- average (3.66), but with 5 course and a lot of organization, I will have a 4.0.</p>
<p>What would be better for my application? Do you think it would really matters whether or not I take physics if my interest is in the social sciences?</p>
<p>My counselor said that b/c are school does not offer APs, that colleges generally distinguish the higher achieving students as those taking the top classes in each subject, and for science, that would be physics.</p>
<p>But right now, my GPA needs a serious boost and tacking on an extra course, especially physics, will not help... please give me some advice!</p>
<p>If you skipped physics and calculus, I'd say it'd look sketchy. However, if you are taking at least a history, math, science, and english- you won't look like you are slacking. Sometimes you can even get away with taking less than 1 in each of the 4 core areas, depending on your ECs. The GPA thing may boost your class rank, but the colleges re-figure your GPA anyway, so I wouldn't sweat it too much. Getting a B- in a really hard class is more impressive than getting an A+ in a really easy one.</p>
<p>I think that with the types of EC you have, 5 courses is the max you should take.</p>
<p>You advisor is telling you that you are not taking 'most rigourous courseload', so that may or may not be a factor depending on the school you are applying to. Physics is certainly more valuable than Env. Science in general. At highly selective, bio, chem and physics is expected.</p>
<p>Do you think it would really matters whether or not I take physics if my interest is in the social sciences?"</p>
<p>Yes, it does matter. Again you didn't say what selectivity of schools you are applying to, but your interest in major is not considered for evaluative admission purposes. A rigourous schedule, with all the expected courses (exceptions considered, of course) is. You should consider Physics your lab science and Enviro your elective.</p>
<p>How come you're not taking a 4th year of English? Or is the Russian lit. class considered "English" by your school? If so, make sure that is clear on your transcript because nearly all schools will look for four years of English. "Russian Literature" sounds like a foreign language class and may be confusing if it is not clearly identified as an English department class.</p>
<p>Also, what exactly do you mean by "independent study" for Spanish? Have you already maxed out on the regular spanish classes offered by your school? Is this a class that will appear on your transcript and be graded?If it is, fine. If not, it might be smarter to take that physics class.</p>
<p>1) Russian Literature is my "English" course.</p>
<p>2)Yes, the independent study in Spanish is an instructive course that is graded</p>
<p>3) Doyou think I should ask my guidance counselor how he would rate my course load on the common app with these 5/6 courses?</p>
<p>4) Also, I should note that Calculus and Environmental Science are our school's only AP courses, this is b/c environmental science is what our school is known for. Darrow was one of only 3 private schools in the National Association of Independent Schools awarded for innovative curriculum, ours was for sustainability. Our school is consistantly ranked in most publications as the best private school in the country for in environmental sustainability and sustainable development. </p>
<p>So really, this course is the highest level science course in my schools strongest department (well...only recognized department) and I'm sure they will over boast about it when they describe the curriculum and course offered for college admissions. </p>
<p>I'm not sure which to drop b/c both seem equally important, but sustainability is one aspectof the school which I would like to study before I graduate.</p>