My DS is picking his senior classes this week (or at least, first pass at it). He loves languages and history courses, and has never loved science (sadly) - has an A in Physics, but B’s in Bio/Chem frosh/soph years.
He wants to apply to mostly East Coast Lib Arts Colleges (visiting F&M, Lafayette, Bucknell, Gettysburg, Clark (MA), and maybe one or two more in New England over Spring Break), but he seems pretty excited about F&M and Lafayette thus far.
He will be taking AP Lit, AP Gov/Econ, AP Calc AB (no BC at our school), and both Chinese and Spanish Honors (AP Chinese is 5th yr, and he is skipping Spanish 3 already), plus Leadership (required for student gov’t). This gives him 6 courses. There are no non-AP science courses left at school to take, and he REALLY doesn’t want to take another AP - especially a science. He could take Astronomy at our local community college (popular) if he really needs a 4th year of science, but that just feels like A LOT on top of everything else he will have senior year.
Thoughts? I know a 4th year is often “recommended”, but I’m pretty sure it’ll just add needless stress and potentially lower his GPA to an already tough year. Will he really get dinged for pursuing his passions (an extra language) instead of just padding with a course he isn’t interested in?
Should be fine as long as he got his three major core sciences covered. Take the coursework that interests him,
I would recommend the 4th year of science. Not sure I would worry too much about GPA taking a hit at this point, one B is not going to make that much difference and frankly it is his GPA at the end of his junior year that will most likely be submitted with his applications (caveat: if he is in the running for val/sal that is a different story with regard to GPA).
Any chance he could earn a 4 or 5 on an AP science exam and knock out a college science credit?
Does he plan on majoring in a foreign language in college?
I agree with @shawnspencer . For the colleges targeted, it’s not a dealbreaker, since he has the core sciences already.
He has physice, bio, and chem. He’s good to go. Provided he meets his high school’s graduation requirements, he can skip a 4th year of science.
labegg, But if he doesn’t apply early, colleges will definitely see his mid-year grades. I can’t imagine he would do great on an AP exam - not the greatest test taker in general. I’m less worried about him getting college credit at this point than I am about him actually getting into one of the colleges! 
And nowhere close to being val/sal - more like a 3.6. He is a more A’s than B’s kind of kid - decent but not great.
And I’m not sure if he plans to major in a foreign language, but definitely wants to continue both languages (and maybe add more) in college - but potentially more of a gov’t/international relations type major.
Thanks for your feedback!!