<p>Does it look bad when applying to colleges? What if you explain that you've been doing research, commited to a certain organization outside of school, etc?</p>
<p>But still, does it bring down your chances of admission regardless?</p>
<p>As long as the classes that you are taking are rock solid (core classes at honors or AP level), you should be okay, although it won’t look good by any stretch.</p>
<p>Thanks, then what about 2 off blocks rather than 3???</p>
<p>I think it could hurt you if you are being compared to students taking full schedules - or is this commonly done at your HS? What type of colleges are you looking to attend?</p>
<p>At our HS, kids have 8 classes per year, 4 blocks each day (A/B schedule). Each year, students are required to take gym/health, English, and Math. It’s expected to take a science, history and a language each year. That leaves 1-2 electives per year, although most academic kids use at least one spot for an further academic subject (like Psych AP, Stats AP, Science APs… some kids squeeze in Art History AP or Art Studio AP). I’m on my 3rd kid through HS and it’s very unusual for top students to take less than 8 classes per year (especially study halls). Some kids might take a class through gifted/talented that is more independent/flexible but they do this at the HS. All 3 of my kids have taken community college classes while in HS, but these are in addition to their 8 periods a day. Strong academic students are taking APs beginning in 10th grade, with 4-6 APs senior year. </p>
<p>Why would you need to take so much time off? Do you need to work to help support your family? Some non college prep students go to school in the am and work in the afternoons. In our HS, there is a huge difference in curriculums for those planning to go on to community college and those seeking to go to top colleges. </p>
<p>In your area, is it common to take blocks off? My DD is a 3 sport varsity athlete (and a strong student) and she has been advised NOT to take any study halls if she wants to be competitive for top schools. We’ve been told by many college reps that your class schedule/strength is one of the MOST important criteria. My kids usually are upset they can’t find enough time to take all the classes they’re interested in with just 8 classes per year. In fact, my DD is taking another language at a local college because she can’t fit into her HS schedule (where she already takes French).</p>
<p>I’m wondering if this is a regional thing?</p>