<p>son’s apps also asked for all senior classes but at the time he applied his schedule still had not been finalized for the 2nd and 3rd terms… after the apps, the schedule was finalized BUT then due to state proration problems, a teacher was let go and he again ends up with no idea what 3rd semester final schedule will be. i figure when he decides which school he goes to we will let the college know the change, i cant see letting all schools know right now.</p>
<p>Four (short) years ago son had his first study hall as a HS senior because he ran out of classes he wanted to take, in prior years he had often substituted courses for those with scheduling conflicts to have a full load. He had his worst grades then- a real case of “senioritis”, not time nor difficulty problems.</p>
<p>Now, as a college senior who could have graduated in 3 years (at 19 and not as well prepared for grad school), he will have a lighter final semester. He is including some grad courses each semester this year. He has major related courses and one fun academic course next semester for minimal full time staus- one is a research course, therefore subject to more hours outside the classroom as he sees fit. This time around I think he will be focusing on those courses in math and will be learning for learning’s sake unlike 4 years ago. Makes me feel he is ready to stay immersed in math for the forseeable future. He has used his undergrad college years to explore different fields but also to obtain a solid foundation in the field he found he likes best. His college grades have reflected his interests and not his abilities. He did say he wished he had taken more courses in one field but I know it did not intrigue him enough to major in it or substitute courses in it for those he chose instead. He will have a lifetime to read about the subjects that interest him but are not his chosen field.</p>
<p>I remember my senior year in college- before medical school. I took the minimum credits and worked dorm food service. One course each semester was my Honors thesis in chemistry- open ended research so it was nice to not be time crunched with courses I wasn’t thrilled about. Instead I used the time to earn money and do the research.</p>
<p>Parents of HS seniors- allow your child to enjoy the last months of childhood. Having a light schedule won’t change their preparedness for a rigorous first year of college. I am so pleased with my son’s handling of his college schedules- his choices that reflected his (changing) interests. So unlike that final HS semester when he got a C in AP chemistry a month after taking the AP exam he got a 5 on… I’ll leave you those thoughts. I survived a sometimes frustrating parenting experience, all of you can too.</p>
<p>With S1, it’s the boring/easy classes one has to keep an eye on. The challenging/interesting stuff takes care of itself.</p>
<p>S2 has just decided to get involved in set crew again next semester, which thrills me to no end. Has had no time the past two years due to classes and football commitments. Will also put in time at the school’s weight room in the afternoons. I’m glad to see him asserting some control over his happiness rather than riding the wave of misery that has been his lot recently.</p>
<p>If a student decides to drop or replace a class second semester of senior year (assuming the h.s. allows it) and still has college applications under review, isn’t he/she obliged to notify the colleges of the change?</p>
<p>Yes, but in our S’s case, we knew in August that he had an irreconcilable scheduling conflict, so he included that info with his app. All his other courses are full-year commitments, so no changes there. He had already signed up and paid for IB exams prior to submitting applications, but he won’t get AP registration til mid-Feb. </p>
<p>I think as long as he completes the IB diploma, the colleges won’t care about whether he takes the corresponding AP course on top of that. I suspect he’ll do the APs anyway, just to hedge his bets should he get a 5 on one of his HL IB exams.</p>