<p>Looking for opinions.......Son #2 is a high school soph, about to start 2nd semester. He is now done with the one semester "Health" class which someone (school or state) requires. So in that period he now either takes a study hall or another elective class (business, CADD, etc). My question - will it look bad if he chooses the study hall?</p>
<p>Otherwise he is taking the 5 core classes (math/science/history/english/spanish) and is in a higher level select band that meets one period daily.</p>
<p>My relatively uninformed opinion is that it will look bad. He is competing against students who not only excel in the core classes but demonstrate exceptional effort in specialized areas. Many will not only fill their normal class day but also take additional classes online or at a local college. They take as many advanced classes as possible and self-study for additional AP exams.</p>
<p>Aside from just considering how adcoms might or might view the decision, as a parent I always encourage my kids to try new things and take advantage of opportunities to explore. This is especially true in high school where the risks are pretty minimal. I would be disappointed if they wanted a study hall instead of trying a new class.</p>
<p>FWIW - my son was accepted EA this year. He has had a study hall period in each of his 8 semesters of high school. </p>
<p>He brought forward a few credits from junior high which helps. He will have taken 8 AP classes over his last 3 years (school does not let freshmen take AP and allows sophomores only one AP). We simply felt with him playing two sports per year and four years of varsity Academic Team along with other ECs, he needed time each day to get work done.</p>
<p>His application was strong on ECs, including several leadership positions and on awards for buildilng a school community. My sense is that his grades and test scores passed the initial cut (even with the study halls) and the ECs, leadership and community clinched the deal. </p>
<p>As we know, there is no “one size fits all here.” Just wanted to add his experience to the discussion.</p>
<p>Another parent of an EA accepted student who took the 1/2 year study hall after taking the required health class soph. year. Your child is already taking a music elective with the 5 core classes. If there is a class that your son is really interested in taking than he should take it but IMO it is not going to make a big difference in his acceptance chances.</p>
<p>I was accepted EA this year, and this year I filled only 5.75 of my 8 periods. I took 5 AP classes (no science) and the 3/4 year of gym my school requires. So, I have 2 time slots every day where I just don’t have class, whereas most people fill 6.75-7.75 of their 8 time slots, however, few take 5 APs so it balanced out. What my guidance counselor told me was that I needed the time to study (I have practice and work every day) and that taking an extra, random class would weaken my schedule in comparison to my 5 AP classes. For perspective, I really had no “hooks”- no legacy, nothing super special, scores on par with most applicants. So if there’s something he wants to take then take it, but I don’t think it would be a deal breaker.</p>