<p>So, I recently found out that William & Mary recommends taking Calculus, Physics, and the fourth level in a foreign language course. I didn't really decide William & Mary was the school for me until this summer; and now, I am a senior in high school with not much time left. I am so set on William & Mary that I have decided to apply early decision. My only problem is that I had already planned my school schedule and can't change it now. I'm not going to be able to take Physics or Spanish IV. Neither of them are offered the only block that I could potentially change that class I'm already enrolled in. It's not like I have been slacking off in high school or anything at all. Instead of Physics I've been taking College Chem and AP Bio. Since 11th grade every class I have taken has either been dual enrollment or AP except art classes which I just enjoy taking. I am pretty confident about all the other components of my application; should I be worried about this?</p>
<p>Here’s my schedule:</p>
<p>11th Grade (I went to a Governor’s School):
Dual Enrollment (DE) Statistics
DE Chemistry
DE English 111-112 (I took the AP Lang and Comp exam and got a 5)
I also took a technical writing/research class which I think was ENG 241-242
DE Computer ITE
DE PreCal
DE Creative Writing
AP US History (AP Exam grade: 5)
Art II</p>
<p>12th Grade (I chose not to return to Gov School this year):
*AP World Literature
*AP Calculus AB
AP US Government
*AP Biology
Art III
*These are all year long courses at my school with the second semester being dual enrollment. The others are just one semester. </p>
<p>I can try and talk to my guidance counselors and see if I can get Span IV or Physics during that Art period or through Virtual Virginia. Maybe I can take a Community College Course in Physics. After reading other posts, I realize I need to do whatever possible to take these “benchmark” courses.</p>
<p>Given that you have advanced chem and AP bio we wouldn’t worry too much about physics. That is really a wash (taking two advanced sciences instead of physics). If you are able to take Spanish 4 we would recommend that however we recognized virtual courses can be tricky. You have a pretty healthy schedule over all.</p>
<p>Thanks. This was very helpful. I went to see my guidance councelor today and there wasn’t much they could do to alter my schedule. Actually nothing because neither of those classes are being offered; my school is very small so you are limited in class options because of when the teachers are able to offer them. Virtual Virginia wasn’t offered to me, but I’m going to ask about it. Thanks for your help again.</p>
<p>W&M Admission,
So, I have met with my guidance counselors, and we thing we have a solution since you said my extra sciences should take care of my lack of a Physics course. If my Spanish teacher agrees, I will be doing independent study for Spanish IV. Will this make my schedule more suitable for W&M?</p>
<p>Anytime you can add an advanced/upper-level course like Spanish 4 it will improve the quality of your transcript (assuming you can do well in the class…it doesn’t do anyone any good to take hard classes but get bad grades). So if you can do Spanish 4 as an independent study and that will be reported on your transcript and you believe you can continue to do well in your courses, go for it!</p>
<p>I got everything squared away today with guidance and the Spanish teacher. I should be good to go to take Spanish IV for next semester. Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Great. Just make sure you provide all classes for both semesters in your application so we note that you’ll be in Spanish IV at some point this year</p>
<p>Already done. W&M Admission is spectacular. I haven’t encountered a college that was so helpful, and I think that’s one of the major reasons I have fallen for William & Mary. Thanks so much. I’m coming to a Fall Focus Day on Nov. 5. And by the way, I just got a 31 on my ACT which if you convert to an SAT is way better than my SAT score. I also saw that it was well into the W&M 50% range. I’m still taking the SAT again this Saturday though. My college guide said that my essays were phenomenal, so hopefully, I’ll be getting some positive news from you in December. I’ll still love W&M though if not.</p>