This is what my fall senior year schedule looks like so far:
Elementary Differential Equations I
Organic Molecules I (organic chemisty)
American Studies
I’m only taking three courses because I figured they will be fairly rigorous and will keep me busy all semester.
Will colleges understand that I need time to complete my college/scholarship applications and forgive a relatively lax schedule?
I’m certain I’ll be top 7% by the end of this year, so I’ll be auto admitted at UT Austin, my in state safety. But I’m also looking at top 20 out of state private schools and the UCs.
Overview of my objective stats:
3.9 uw
2140 SAT, 32 ACT (retaking in June)
I’ve also already completed the core requirements for most, if not all colleges (4 units of math, science, english, social science, etc.)
Depends on what your school offers. If your school offers a lot of rigorous courses (AP’s, Honors etc.) then you should be taking some more. If that is all your school offers, then you won’t be punished for it.
3 Classes seems a bit little, I thought high schools have a requirement that seniors need at least 4-5 classes senior year.
College Apps is not an excuse as tens of thousands of applicants take 5-6 AP’s senior year ON TOP of completing their apps. So using that excuse will put you at a disadvantage.
This is not saying that your schedule is bad as it’s all relative. Ultimately depends on what classes you are able to take at your school.
If I had some suggestions, does your school offer any AP’s, if so you should take some, like AP Chem and AP Calc if you haven’t done so already.
Maybe also continue taking foreign language?
I’ve already taken AP calculus and the college equivalence of AP chem (general chem).
The problem with my school is that the only APs offered are Calculus, Physics 1 + 2, Physics C Mechanics, Statistics, and English Lang and Lit. And I’ve taken all but Physics 1 + 2 and English Lit. I’m signing up for English Lit in the spring semester, and it would be pointless taking Physics 1 + 2 because I’ve already taken Physics C last semester.
Foreign language is a good idea, I’ll definitely look into that. I’ve taken French 1-3 up until now, so I’d have to dual enroll for a higher level course.
If I were you (and I could handle it) I would also take French at a local college. Three courses is not enough. You’re going to want at least 4 rigorous courses, preferably five that you can excel in. And highly selective colleges prefer students to have covered their bases ie: a math, a science, a history or social science, english, and a language.
Also, get working on your college apps now. Start writing your essays!!!
If the top seniors are taking 5-6 classes and you are taking 3-4, no, colleges will not understand/forgive. Most top students have come close to fulfilling the HS graduation requirements and need time to complete their college applications; you are not special in this regard.