My senior year I want to stop taking science and math. I’ve taken all my required credits for them in adddition to AP Physics and up to Ap Calc AB for math however I’ve realized that those type of classes just aren’t for me or my academic/career path. I would still be taking a minimum of 4 AP classes but would colleges admissions offices take that into consideration and “use” it against me?
Yes, colleges look at that carefully. If you slack off senior year in course rigor, it can count heavily against you.
Yes. The college where he ultimately decided, looked at application and in May.
Yes, senior year classes are evaluated in the admissions process. Ideally, you will still take 5 core academic courses senior year, of at least equal rigor to previous years. Also, if you change/drop courses after you send out your applications, you do need to update the admissions reps.
Yes, senior year in progress course work is considered. Also, admission is conditional on doing well enough in it as shown on your final transcript.
Some colleges (e.g. Washington publics) specifically want to see a math or related course in 12th grade.
As above, yes they do, but if you’ve already done Calc AB I’m not sure that not taking more math in senior year would really count against you if you are not aiming at a STEM major?
Are the other APs you want to take considered rigorous?
See what array of courses your target colleges ask for. It’s on their admissions web pages. And if they don’t look at senior year work, that’ll be on the web site, too.
I don’t think OP is aiming for tippy tops. But the next tier can certainy ask for 4 years of math and science courses, no matter what major.
We have no idea what colleges you’re considering. But among competitive colleges, the right course rigor and breadth is one of the ways they distinguish among candidates. Not just gpa. Not just “what interests you.”
Yes, senior year is important not only in terms of the rigor of classes you take but how you do academically. Don’t for a second think otherwise.
Not sure what schools you are looking to attend but the top tier colleges will want to see the guidance counselor check the box saying you have taken the most rigorous courses available at your HS. This is something to discuss with your guidance counselor.
That said, you can check the common data set of colleges you are interested in attending (google "Common Data Set XYZ University) and look at section C. That section will tell you how many years of each academic subject the college is looking for. Be sure to fulfill those recommendations/requirements which are often more stringent than what is needed to graduate HS.
Thank you all so much! One thing is I was planning to go into Calculus BC however AB was already pretty rocky for me (managed to pull through with a low B though) so if I were to take AP stats would that be considered less rigorous than BC?
Also science has always been my weakest subject and I planned to take AP Physcology rather than another science, would that be fine or a bit risky?
What colleges are you targeting OP? What do you want to major in? What sciences have you had so far?
AP stats is less rigorous than Calc BC. AP Psych is considered a social science, not science/lab science. But these things might not matter based on your answers to the questions above.
Yes, if you took AP AB, then AP stats can be ok, for a non-stem kid, depending on your targets.
AP psych is not a science.
And what the colleges typically ask for is “lab science.” It means bio, chem, physics.
OP, we need to know what colleges.
I’m targeting both selective schools with about a 20% acceptance rate and also more realistic schools with about a 35-50% acceptance rate. Unsure of a major however I am more than sure it won’t be STEM related. I’ve taken Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors and AP Physics 1.
I’m not too sure what would be best to take now, especially since I’ve already been taking rigorous classes, I’m scared to change course even though I’m sure that it isn’t the direction I’m going in college wise.
Then you need to be 100% on your game, at least. No bending the expectations.
If you can say you’re targeting 20-35% schools, you have to go to their web sites and see what they expect.
Since you’ve taken the 3 lab sci, maybe you can take AP psych or APES.
We jumped before, based on the question you asked. See how the more info you provide, the more we can offer an eased-up view?
What is your senior year class lineup? AP stats, AP Psych plus what else? I am more comfortable with AP stats instead of BC (what did you get on AP Calc AB test?) than AP Psych and no science, especially for schools with 20% acceptance rates.
Have you looked at what each college on your list requires/recommends for number of courses by core academic area? Will your GC check off the most rigorous schedule box on their recommendation?
It would still be good to know the colleges, and you will need one or two highly likely/safety schools that are also affordable on your list–as schools with 35-50% acceptance rates are per se not highly likelies/safeties. Any other info you care to share, such as unweighted GPA and ACT/SAT score would also be helpful.
For my most selective college choice, I already meet the requirements regarding math (requires 3 years, recommend 4) and science (requires 2 years, recommend 3). I’ll definately take math again next year but I’m unsure of science. Would continuing Calc without science be an okay choice? Or would Stats with an easier science be a better option?
My unweighted GPA is a 3.8 with a 4.4 weighted. My sat wasn’t the best however still in range for my top schools and I’m also planning to retake.
Forgot to mention my course line up, so far I’m taking 2 chorus classes, AP Lit, and AP marcoeconomics and gov, leaving me with 3 classes