Does 2 online courses look bad Senior year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m currently a junior and we are picking our classes for next year. My original plan was to take:

  1. AP Calc BC
  2. AP Statistics
  3. AP economics (Virtual High School)
  4. AP computer science A(Virtual High School)
  5. English 4 Honors
  6. Theology 4

I was told by my college counselor that taking two online classes that aren’t face to face isn’t liked by colleges. I understand her point, but does this really look bad? I would think it looks good considering both classes are not easy. The other person ultimate choosing my classes is open to the idea, it’s more or less my choice but I’d like to get some input.

If I’m not able to take both online classes I’ll probably switch to Honors Economics which is offered at my school and just take AP computer science A.

2

Sometimes online courses aren’t taught at the same rigor as a regular class in high school. Colleges also like to see you taking courses at your own high school since they offer them to you. Since you high school already offers Honors Econ, you should probably take that class. Honors and AP are interchangeable because they are weighted the same in weighted GPA. For AP CS-A, you should first see if you have any classes at your school before taking an online course. I know VHS offers the class for a low price, but you should also check out local community colleges and see if they have the class because IMO taking a class at a local CC would be more rigorous compared to taking an online class.

3

If your HS offers either class AND you can fit the class into your schedule, you should take it/them face to face. If it’s not possible, it wouldn’t be a problem.
What’s a problem is that your schedule is not very balanced - you may be going for well lopsided, but I’m not sure you’re there either.

  1. AP Calc BC
  2. AP Statistics
  3. AP economics (Virtual High School)
  4. AP computer science A(Virtual High School)
  5. English 4 Honors
  6. Theology 4

English 4+ Theology => you’re covered for Humanities
AP Calc => you’re covered for math
AP Stats => un-necessary; this is a class for academically strong kids who can’t/won’t take calc. You’re taking calc, so you shoudn’t be taking stats. In addition, stats should really be taken in college, where the course will really be more rigorous and, most importantly, where you’ll be able to list it under “relevant coursework” on your resume regardless of your major (whereas no employer cares what you took in HS).
AP Econ => both micro and macro cover Social Science
AP CS A => look at the syllabus for CS Principles and decide which one you like best. This I suppose counts for science.

You need to take either a foreign language if you haven’t reached level 4 or AP and want a balanced schedule or if you want to double up on something, you need to choose another subject (social science or science), replacing AP Stats. That other class doesn’t need to be AP.