Please, PLEASE Help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone. I know this isn't technically the right place for this thread, but I feel like it fits here better than any other topic.</p>

<p>I am having a major problem, and I was wondering if anyone could offer any suggestions for me. </p>

<p>I transferred to my new school as a Junior (long story-- I am happier at this school-- I am a Junior this year). Unfortunately, because my new school is IB, I was misguided when it came to formulating a schedule. It is a long story, but in the end I ended up taking:
-- AP / IB Biology
-- AP / IB USH
-- AP / IB Pychology
-- AP / IB Literature
-- IB Honors Spanish III
-- Honors Pre-Calculus
-- Free Period
-- (Second Semester Early Bird) Theory of Knowledge (IB)</p>

<p>Yes, a glaring free period. At the time, I was told I would get credit for an "Independent Study Film Class," in the process getting my final Fine Arts credit. Unfortunately, now it seems that is falling through, and I will end up having nothing during that period. This year, my schedule is extremely difficult, but, compared to others, is absolutely basic-- in place of my Pre-Cal, others are taking AP Calculus. In place of my free period, others are taking AP Chemistry. </p>

<p>How bad will this look to colleges? It sickens me, because I feel that no matter how good my grades are (I am #2), colleges will always see that I have a free period and say that I did not work hard.</p>

<p>In order to counteract this, I am planning on trying to take a total of nine classes next year (two independent study during Theory of Knowledge-- because sciences are two years at my school, I plan on self-studying myself half of Chemistry, and taking the other half as a class-- getting AP credit, but not IB credit). This will be extremely difficult, but I feel I have to do it to show colleges that I am willing to take on a harder workload. As follows is the schedule I desire to take (depending on if the teachers / guidance lets me):
-- AP / IB Biology (second year)
-- IB History of the Americas
-- IB English Language
-- AP / IB Spanish IV
-- AP Chemistry (one year)
-- AP Stats
-- IB Theory of Knowledge (first semester-- they will not have early bird next year)
-----Independent Study IB Math Studies (during the ToK period, since that is only one semester)
-----Independent Study Honors / CP Gov / Econ (during same period-- two IS's at once-- still need this class)</p>

<p>Will that do any good? Will taking such a rigorous course-load of classes next year do anything? I know colleges only see the first semester, so will they really care?</p>

<p>Please respond, and please let me know if you have any suggestions for me. I feel like I effectively just through my chances at getting into any top-notch (Ivy) school. Worst. Feeling. Ever.</p>

2

<p>Bumpddddddd</p>

3

<p>The most important question is not whether having a free period will keep you out of a top college, but whether your guidance counselor will be able to mark on your GC recommendation that you have taken the “most rigorous” courses available. Talk to your GC about it; he or she surely knows your situation better than we do.</p>

<p>My children’s experienced GC does not believe that a free period, by itself, will keep you out of a top school. Most seniors in my children’s school take a free period (called Senior Flex), which gives them time to work on applications.</p>

4

<p>Perhaps you could use that free period for something better – tutoring? Or like the poster said above, using the free time to do applications. I am sure colleges won’t immediately drop you but you can use the free period for something else and mention it in the application. They’d like that than hearing that you gave up and sit in a classroom all period, doing nothing but homework, etc.</p>