I signed up for classes today. And as of now I have 5 APs (6 AP exams because of Physics C) with no lunch period. Is taking a rigorous course load like this in my senior year even worth it? Would this rigorous schedule help me for college admissions?
If you go to your GC, I am sure you can drop another course somewhere to allow you to take a lunch. Although a rigorous schedule is good for admissions, no lunch period is bad - and might even be illegal. IMHO - you need to talk to someone in administration.
Our school in NY allows no lunch period. Kids can eat in class if they want. Do you need all those AP classes? Have you already done a few others? If so, then I think taking 5 is not necessary, as your course load with four will still be most rigorous.
If these are all classes you like, you could probably ask your teachers if you could eat during their class (explaining the circumstances). Those classes will be helpful for college admissions.
I read somewhere that going from 3or 4 APs to 5 the next year isn’t a big deal in colleges eyes. Sorry that I can’t give you a link. That said, my D16 took 4 AP’s this year and an independent study hour. Last year, she took 3 AP’s with the independent study hour. Those free periods really helped her. What has your GC said? I personally feel you shouldn’t spread yourself so thin. It’s your senior year. Don’t forget to have fun. By the way, so far she’s been accepted to extremely difficult universities, including Stanford. The point is: as long as you have paid your dues these last 3 years taking 1 less AP senior year will not hurt your chances to get into any school. Enjoy your last year of high school
4 APs senior year would be plenty. Take a lunch period, or, if that’s not an option, a “light” class.
Highly selective colleges want to see about 8 Aps for the total of HS, especially if they make sense with regard to who you say you are and are interested in. After that, their values for admissions’ purpose peters out (“law of diminishing returns”).
Keep in mind that you’ll have the equivalent one an extra, writing-intensive class called “applying to college”.
I took six APs this year and it was way too much. I can tell you for sure–not worth it. Unless you really like not sleeping. If so, go for it. I think 4 APs is a good amount. I doubt taking 1 extra AP will make or break you.
I’m a senior taking 5 AP Classes and I took a Colby college course. I was fine.
@lynkel , not everyone can manage that kind of work especially if the teachers are not rigorously prepping students for,the actual test. I am not saying this happened in your case, but I have seen soooo many kids say they got an easy A in an AP class and score poorly on the test. My kid is taking four APs and our school is very rigorous. She has a lot of work, in addition to her regular classes. Last year she got all 5s on her APs. If the OP goes to a school that is very rigorous and takes 6 APs, he/she may not be able to cope.
@lindagaf I also took three online, which may make a difference. Two through a Virtual Charter school and one through an Online high school. I recommend online schooling if you want to manage time and still succeed. A lot of them are taught by college professors or successful retired teachers. They hold you to an entirely different academic level.
Thanks for the advice everyone! The consensus seems pretty clear, an extra AP would not help that much in college admissions and probably is not worth it. I should spend more time on polishing my actual apps. So I will drop an AP for lunch.
Currently taking 7 APs. In the end it really comes down to time management and passion for the subjects.Some days you’ll be stressed but if you really want to learn the material it’s worth it. However, if you’re just taking the AP bc of how it looks to colleges then I think you should drop it. It sounds as if it’s already causing you grief, which can only lead to a lack of commitment and sadness.