Does my senior schedule lack rigor?

Applying to College
1

Hi everyone,

I know it’s important to have a rigorous senior schedule and I’m not sure if mine fits the bill, especially since I’m applying to ivy league colleges.

Last year I took 6 AP classes (BC Calc, Stat, Compsci, English Language, APUSH, Music Theory), but this semester I’m only taking 3 (Bio, Macroeconomics, English Lit). Bio AP is a 2-block class in my school, so I only have five classes in total (also taking honors orchestra). Second semester I’ll take 4 AP classes (Bio, Micro, Gov, Eng Lit).

Do you think this’ll look bad? I’m pretty worried. Should I add another 1-semester class (AP Psych) to my schedule?

Thank you so much for your help in advance!!

2

It does not really matter what we think; it matters if your GC checks off the “most rigorous” box on the Secondary School Report.

Bio, Macroeconomics, English Lit, Orchestra, and what’s the fifth?

3

Yes, your idea of adding AP Pysch sounds good. It’s another AP class, and Psych itself should not be too much of an extra burden for you.

6 APs down to 3 APs clearly shows you emphasize junior year over senior year, which colleges don’t want to be the case. They want senior year to be just as “important.”

4

Biology is a double block class for us so that’s 2 class periods a day. So technically I’m only taking 4 classes…

5

Thank you for your input! That makes sense. But I’m also working at a daycare teaching kids every day so that’s part of a reason why I’m taking a double senior release (not taking the last 2 class periods). Do you think that makes a difference?

6

I would worry more about this than only having 3 AP’s. 3 AP’s is fine considering that you will be spending a lot of time of college applications. However, unless all the powerhouse seniors who will also be applying to Ivy League schools are only taking 4 classes, going from 6 classes to 4, even if one is a double period, looks like you’re slacking IMO. Whether AP Psych is the right one to add is a different question (if it interests you, add it; if not, add something else), but I would definitely add another class.

7

What is the maximum number of periods in your school? You say the last 2 class periods you are being released. So does your school have a 7 period or 6 period school day?