<p>I am taking 3 free periods this semester, and 2 next semester. I have 3 APs per semester (4 total) and Honors Physics.</p>
<p>Honestly, with everything I'm trying to do right now with ECs and academics, it's a pretty tough load. I'm not a slacker by any means, and I am taking a harder courseload than anyone else I know. Also, my school only offers 6 APs right now, and I have taken/am taking all of them.</p>
<p>Additionally, if I were to take other classes, they would have to be "blow-off" classes, which really just waste my time.</p>
<p>So the question is--will colleges (ie. Georgetown) look down on my free periods?</p>
<p>^Depends, will your counselor put down, most difficult schedule compared to your classmates? Are your classmates taking more ap’s than you? For me, all the top 15 kids in our school, rank wise, take 5 ap’s and 6th period off, so it doesn’t really hurt any of us. You could take some colleges at a CC college, but you are swamped for time…</p>
<p>So - you are only taking 4 classes this semester? The transcript does not show study halls - just classes taken. If your competition is taking 5, 6 or 7 classes this semester - how do you think taking 4 classes will look? Even with 3 of the 4 being AP - I think it is too light. I am surprised your GC allowed this schedule. Taking 3 or 4 AP courses as a senior - particularly for the type of student who would be applying to Georgetown - is not unusual. I am skeptical that there is nothing else worth taking at your hs - a class does not have to be AP to be worthy of your time.</p>
<p>Four academics is a light load – five+ is standard – and would be perceived as such by any highly selective college, including Georgetown. A light load ONLY works if you have extenuating circumstances, such as you have to work 30+ hours a week to support your family. Involvement in EC’s is not a good excuse.</p>
<p>Can you pick up a course at your local community college?</p>
<p>Ceramics? Welding? Is that what should I be taking? Because I have literally exhausted every other course offering. </p>
<p>I’m getting the feeling that most of you attend(ed) a school in a relatively affluent area, where there are numerous challenging course offerings. Our HS only sends 20% of its students to college. And no, I cannot take courses at a community college. I’d like to, but Mommy does not pamper me by buying me a car (or letting me use one for that matter). </p>
<p>I was really asking if Georgetown would understand the situation and see that I really am challenging myself, much more than most of my AP classmates. </p>
<p>I also am planning to self-study AP Comparative Gov. That won’t be listed on the transcript however, just in the Additional Info sections and possibly recommendations. So next semester I am taking 5, 6 if you count this self-studied course.</p>
<p>Sure they will. But also understand that your competition is not your classmates, but the thousands of other applicants from across the country and around the world. </p>
<p>And no, ceramics/welding won’t help bcos they much prefer a core academic class. Have you maxed out foreign languages? How about a second language?</p>
<p>You are right that applicants are evaluated in the context of their hs and what is offered there. However, does this hs send many applications to Georgetown? If only 20% go on to college, how many apply to Georgetown each year?</p>
<p>OP - to be competitive - you should be taking at least 1 science, 1 math, English, 1 social science and a foreign language each year - and then perhaps an art or music class - bringing you to a total of 6 classes. What are you missing from this list? Which APs are you taking? You also lost me on the 4 courses this semester and 5 next - APs are generally a year long course.</p>
<p>I found another post you wrote on a different thread where you gave more info about yourself - so I’m going to add a few more comments. First, please understand that Georgetown is incredibly difficult to get into. If you are concerned that you have too many free periods - well in all honesty - you do. But - here’s some positive news.</p>
<p>Being from Iowa will help - so will being male. Your GPA is very strong. The ACT you previously quoted is fine - I wouldn’t see that as a deal breaker. I think the GC evaluation is going to be critical - she needs to emphasize how much you have done relative to what is offered at your school. There is a form called the Secondary School Report where the GC evaluates the rigor of your classes in each subject area - science, math, etc. - and checks off a box saying most demanding, very demanding, average or less demanding - be sure she is giving you most demanding in each area.</p>
<p>You didn’t mention taking any foreign language junior or senior year - is that accurate? If so - that’s a red flag. What’s the story there?</p>
<p>I finished French junior year by taking French IV. There are no higher French classes, and I don’t want to study a different language. I plan on studying French in college. I also have gym second semester, which is a one-semester course. AP Macro and Micro are also semester classes. So 4 classes this sem. (+1 self-study) and 5 next (+1 self-study). I know my counselor has told me I am one of his top students, I just hope he indicates that on his rec.</p>
<p>I really do have my hands full right now, and I’ve been working for months to found a political/partisan club, researching club activities, etc. (no, this is not application padding), and doing this with other “average” ECs and my self-study AP. I am just nervous GTown will only look at the number of free periods instead of true rigor.</p>
<p>So you have AP Lit, AP Calc, AP Macro, & Honors Physics first semester. Second semester swap out Macro for Micro, and add PE.</p>
<p>Even give the ECs you have stated it doesn’t sound like you are swamped. It sounds normal, less a few classes for a student applying to a top university. You state that cc classes are not an option due to transportation, however there are many options of online classes should you have chosen. Did you already take Government? What is your intended major? We are to understand that you have pursued everything you find worthwhile…computer programming? Admissions do find value in classes other than AP and honors. Often these show unique areas of interest for a student…art, music, IT, journalism. </p>
<p>I do think that many free blocks is excessive even given your circumstances. Being a TA (teachers aid) in a class you are interested in (a lab science perhaps) shows an effort to stay active. Barring no classes available, a written statement as such and a concerted effort in a given area outside of school (medical research or volunteer work in a hospital, mentor or tutor at an elementary school, part time job at a bank) to show a long term commitment and ‘academic’ use of your time would have been worthwhile.</p>
<p>The point being as another poster put it, it is really too late in the game to add another class or activity. I’m sure Georgetown will consider the academic options that were available to you, the opportunities you took advantage of, and weigh that against the pool of applicants it has this season.</p>