<p>Do colleges really pay attention to your senior year classes. Im planning on taking 2-3 APs but would they even take that into consideration?</p>
<p>They do pay attention. Senior year matters a lot–unless you’re applying Early Action or Early Decision. If you apply early, colleges have to make a decision before they have much information about your senior fall. But if you’re applying regular decision, your course selection and the grades you earn in the fall of senior year are quite important.</p>
<p>I slacked off soph and junior years. I think my acceptances to Northwestern, Emory, Rochester (and others) were DEFINITELY due to my senior year performance. I took four AP’s, an honors physics class and yearbook and finished with high honor roll each semester. My SATs also improved as my academic efforts went up. My teachers were very impressed with my performance and wrote very, very nice recommendations. I think it definitely does matter - it shows you can handle the work and are ready for the next phase of your education. Rochester’s admission letter talked about my senior academic performance, so yes, I think they definitely do pay attention.</p>
<p>It is very important to colleges that your schedule shows a full load of rigorous courses senior year. Taking AP courses is a good plan and you should stick with it. It is also important to maintain or improve your grades senior year. Colleges want to be sure you are ready for the rigor of the courses you will take the following year. Even for fall ED decisions, most colleges request a mid-term progress report from your HS before making an admissions decision.</p>
<p>And while senioritis affects many spring term high school students, an AP-heavy schedule and very strong performance in your final term can make a major difference in wait list decisions for very selective colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great advice!
Anyone care to explain the difference between EA and ED?</p>
<p>I think that my senior year performance definitely helped me in admissions.</p>
<p>EA means you’re notified early but not bound to the college if you are accepted. ED means if accepted you’re obligated to withdraw all other apps and attend that school.</p>