I don’t know if my schedule would be considered as light by colleges. I’m taking the maximum number of classes possible but just not as many core classes.
I’m taking:
AP English Lit (full-year)
Journalism (full-year)
Government and Civics
Intermediate Photography
Physical Education (required)
Psychology
I’m interested in psychology and photography and I have taken all the science and math classes to fill the requirements for most colleges, (3 math and 3 science classes.) Since I’m interested in pursuing a major in the humanities, I don’t want to take any more math/science classes. I originally planned to take chemistry this year but I ended up taking both that and physics junior year.
I’ve heard a number of admission officers say that they regard the senior year schedule as important. Your schedule looks very light (no math, no science, nor foreign language).
What type of schools are you looking to apply to? Have you checked the recommendations/requirements of each school?
@happy1 I’ve checked the requirements of some of the schools I’m interested in (still searching for more), and I’ve met their requirements. It seems like I crammed a lot of those requirements into my first 3 years so now I am trying to take classes on what I am interested in learning more about.
Even if you meet the minimum requirements, I think many competitive colleges would view your senior year schedule as very light. I would discuss this with your guidance counselor at the very start of school in the fall.
@ucbalumnus The highest level of math completed is a mix of algebra and precalculus, I’ve taken the highest level of foreign language at my school (4 years) and I’ve done bio, chem and physics. My overall course selection meets all the points in the post, with the exception of my taking calculus senior year.
I am considering UCLA and a few other schools, looking for more of a humanities-based major such as English or history.
Is there an AP option for psychology? (AP psychology is not generally considered to be that difficult, since college introductory psychology that it emulates is not generally difficult, so non-AP psychology in high school may be seen as a “light” course.)
The question at schools like UCLA isn’t whether you’ve met the requirements but where you rank relative to other students vying for admission. Ask yourself if other students in your shoes could take a more challenging schedule senior year, and realize that if so many of them will.
For UCLA, the most applied to college in the US? Yes, way too light. You will be compared to what other UCLA applicants at your school will be taking and to what courses are available to you as a senior at your school. You want to have a 4th year of math, AP Stats would be a great option if available.
@ucbalumnus There is an option for AP psych, but I am on the fence about whether I should take it or not because it takes up a lot of time, I’ve heard from other students at my school. I’m planning on keeping a part-time job and I will be busy with my extracurricular activities, so I wanted to take a lighter schedule. Will this be looked down upon?
If an admissions reader does notice an apparent drop-off in rigor in 12th grade, and not due to running out of available courses at your high school, that could result in an unfavorable rating of your application compared to if you maintained a high rigor level.
That schedule will not make the cut for UCLA.
If you want to apply for a Humanities major, Psychology and Civics should be turned into AP Psych and AP Gov ( as a minimum) and preferably AP Statistics added.
You should look into taking PE online at a local CC. Kids that don’t play sports and have to satisfy the 2nd year CA requirement for HS graduation often take an online CC PE course where you walk/run with your phone (GPS/Nike app) and get a grade based upon the class requirements.
And then you can add another academically-oriented class
I believe you should be able to handle atleast 2 APs. My senior schedule is Forensic Science (based off my interest in criminology), Psychology (going to be a psych major but don’t have AP at my school), Econ/Gov (hate politics so wouldn’t like AP), AP Lit, & AP Calc, & an online course 1st semester. I have managed to have a part time job senior year. I know my schedule isn’t as rigorous as my past but with a job and being secretary of Key Club made me want to go a little lighter this year. I believe if you just prove to them that you aren’t slacking off (no outside of school activities, etc) and keep up your grades then your schedule shouldn’t affect you much on admission.