<p>I'm a junior getting ready to pick out my senior schedule. I was planning on taking Forensics just as my one fun, stress-free class because the teacher is amazing and a lot of my friends are taking it. In my school it's an honors credit. But then my guidance counselor says it's only a Local Honors class, so top colleges actually see it as a regular class, and then they will think I am not challenging myself. I would have taken it with 5 other AP classes.
So my question is should I take Forensics or AP Enviro? Is that one seemingly "regular" class going to make a difference in the admissions process?</p>
<p>I don’t think AP Enviro is particularly highly regarded. Since you have 5 other APs on your schedule–especially if you will have completed the core sciences by graduation (Bio, Chem, Physics)–an honors class in something you enjoy is a perfectly good choice. Colleges know which courses are honors in the context of your school because your school tells them in its profile. </p>
<p>Just make sure that your GC, whose judgement sounds a little iffy, is going to check the “most rigorous” box on the Common App if you take it. It would be unfortunate to be sandbagged by that.</p>