<p>In my kid's senior year, I convinced him to take AP Physics (he also took 4 other AP's), even though he was also doing music auditions for conservatories because he had expressed an interest in some top schools -- it seemed to me that it would be a risk not to take a lab science and "the most rigorous" program -- he cut back on his second instrument instead. The result was what he wanted, so it appears to have been worth the final push. An essay "explaining" why your daughter didn't take the most rigorous program would be a big risk, especially if the reason wasn't a compelling medical reason, and perhaps even then; a positive essay about her interests would probably be a better idea. Looking at her schedule, it is way too lightweight -- one chorus program would be enough if she is also the piano accompanist (as I infer), to show that she has a strong extracurricular "passion." If she is not ready to give up on the idea of a top school (including UCB and UCLA), she should consider the consequences of her current plan.</p>