<p>I'm only taking 4 academic classes junior and senior year (I took 5 my freshman and sophomore year). I have a waver so that I don't take a foreign language, but I'm starting to really worry that this is going to hurt me in the long run when I am compared to stellar students taking 7 classes. Do you think that most colleges will look down on this and think that my courseload lacks rigor?</p>
<p>For a little background:
I'm taking a history, english science, and math class (3 APs in total), so the only core class that I am missing is foreign langauge. I also take dance all year as my art class. So I have 5 classes out of 7 possible and only 4 are core courses.
The colleges that I am most interested in include Muhlenburg, NYU, Lehigh, Villanova, Wake Forest, Middlebury, University of San Diego, Gettysberg, and Bucknell (and a super duper reach=Cornell) so if anyone knows much about any of these colleges advice would be wonderful, thank you!</p>
<p>Not having 2 years of a foreign language can hurt your chances, reguardless of waiver.</p>
<p>Also usually junior and senior year, students tend to take less electives… and have like 5 academic classes.</p>
<p>Ah yeah, unfortunately that’s what I think as well…would it be silly to double up in an english or history (my two favorite and strongest classes) so that I have five academic classes?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. I’d love to hear from anyone who has any idea about this or is going through the same thing and what they’ve been told. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>No, it would not be silly to double up. Really good students who are interested in learning usually do. Especially if you have a foreign language waiver! It’s a good thing you are taking some APs, but I really can’t imagine that your GC would consider you to have taken a “rigorous” courseload, since you are taking at least 2 fewer full-year academic courses per year than a student with a “most rigorous” program. Sorry, but I would think that your program would harm your chances Cornell and Middlebury, at least. The rest of the schools on your list, I don’t know.</p>
<p>That’s great advice, thank you. I’m definitely going to ask today about possible english or history classes for this year and next.</p>
<p>You both have been helpful and I realize now that I really need to be proactive and take up another class!</p>
<p>anyone else in this same position or have any insight on other schools though just incase I can’t get another class this year?</p>
<p>This will hurt your chances badly. Schools will think that you are lazy.</p>
<p>This is the time to increase your course load! Some schools require more than two years of a foreign language, so I’d definitely check on that. Better to take a less enjoyable class now and not be instantly rejected from Cornell (I’m not sure of their policy, just a guess) later. And doubling up is totally fine! It shows you’re pursuing your interests within the curriculum offered. You need more than 4 core classes, definitely–your GC will be ranking the rigor of your schedule in a year!</p>