Need Opinions: Jr daughter take Ap Hist or Fine arts perform grp? both same period

Parent Cafe
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I am relieved that UC don't ask counselors if the student took the most rigorous coursework, because then ,my d would have to say no as she opted to add more fine arts instead.

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It's not all that important for the private's either, if there is a reason and that is explained to the colleges. My daughter had barely more than the minimum academic course work to graduate -- she had 4 academic classes in 9th grade; 5 in 10th; studied abroad during fall semester of 11th, then took 4 academic classes in the spring; with 4 academic courses fall of 12th grade and 5 in the spring. The reasons were because her arts magnet only allowed a maximum of 4 academic courses in 9th grade & 5 per year after that; & she had scheduling issues limiting options after she returned from her foreign exchange and also had to fit in the health class. (I think health is mandated state wide, but it is not a recognized academic course for UC admission). </p>

<p>The important thing for the private colleges is simply that my daughter explained the circumstances. The gc wrote a detailed explanation of the arts high school requirements (the students must have 2 periods a day in arts classes, 3 periods during 9th grade). My d also included a short statement with her apps that briefly explained her decision to study abroad and how it impacted course scheduling -- the basic thrust was to explain how her decision to live abroad was also a way of challenging herself. </p>

<p>As far as the UC's are concerned: </p>

<p>Most arts classes ARE considered by the UC's, listed either under the F/Fine Arts or the G/other elective category. So those are not ignored -- they do show up on the grid and the admissions department can see what was done with the time. </p>

<p>Actually, you may want to go online to the Pathways site to check the list of UC approved courses for your school. You can do that on this page:
<a href="https://pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list/%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list/&lt;/a>
Just enter your school name and all the courses will show up on a grid showing how they are categorized, including which qualify for weighted credit.</p>