Dropping a class: What will the adcom think?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>As a senior in high school I am currently burdened with a courseload so intensive that I simply don't have time to complete all of the material for all of my courses on time. Thus I am considering dropping one of my classes, but am not sure how the admissions committee will perceive this decision.</p>

<p>My current courseload:</p>

<p>1st Semester-
-AP Calculus
-Honors English 12
-Honors Government
-AP US History</p>

<p>2nd Semester-
-AP Calculus
-AP English
-AP Human Geography
-AP US History</p>

<p>I am considering dropping AP Calculus because, frankly, it takes nearly all of my time and it is completely irrelevant to my intended major (psychology). It will be replaced with a study hall for the remainder of the first semester; I will replace it with another honors or AP course next semester so that I am once again taking four classes.</p>

<p>I'm applying to the Early Decision program at the University of Pennsylvania. Because my intended major is psychology and I have no demonstrated interest in math, I don't see why the admissions committee at Penn would view my dropping AP Calculus with too much scrutiny; however, given the extremely competitive nature of the admissions process I dare not make this assumption and drop the class without the opinions of others.</p>

<p>Okay, so I'm a competitive applicant; I have no interest in math; and I want to drop AP Calculus. How will the admissions committee at Penn view this decision? Will such a decision prove significantly detrimental to my chances of admission? Any input is appreciated.</p>

<p>As an aside, I took two AP courses online this past summer -- will this provide any compensation for my pending decision to drop the two-semester AP Calculus class?</p>

2

<p>NO! Calc is kind of essential and u will either do it now or do it in college. If u don't like math then u might as well finish it now. AP calc although it is kind of easy for some people it is not a "easy" AP. So just keep. If u were dropping some stupid AP like AP stat, AP psych(no offense but it is really easy) i wouldn't worry but sth essential like calc? i would keep it.</p>

3

<p>Dropping a class is ok if you can give a valid reason(schedule conflict/sickness) but your reason makes one skeptical if you are taking the easy way out.</p>

4

<p>Yea I agree with the above posters. Calc is very important, and since you are applying to a top-notch school like Penn, it will be looked down upon most likely.</p>

5

<p>I'd also like to stress that if you are seriously unhappy with the class, by all means drop it. Don't think that your decision to drop this class will make or break you in the admissions process.</p>

6

<p>If you are stressed out then drop out. There is no point in agonizing over doing something just to impress someone else. I dropped AP Spanish this year and took Advanced Creative Writing. Do what you want, not what you think you need.</p>