I’m a junior and this is my schedule:
AP Calc AB
AP Calc BC
AP Environmental Science
AP US History
AP English 4
AP Psych
Honors Latin 6
I’m worried next year that my schedule is too easy and will affect my admission chances:
AP European History
AP Econ/AP Government
AP Stats
AP English 4
Multivariable Calculus
Senior Out OR Aide (I get out early or I stay with a teacher and help them out)
Floral Design (I need it for my art credit)
Random elective period
Does it look really bad to top colleges that I’m basically taking 3 blowoff classes? I took AP Bio and AP Chem already but haven’t taken AP Physics because the teacher is terrible and I dislike science in general but especially physics . Should I replace the elective period with AP Physics? I really really don’t want to but if it will negatively affect me that I haven’t taken any physics, I’ll make the change. I can’t take any more advanced math or english or social studies or language classes. Also I know I am majoring in something related to the Liberal Arts and that’s why I assumed it was okay for me to skip physics. Multivariable Calculus is unfortunately an elective at my school by the way.
You have not provided enough information for people to provide helpful suggestions. What type of colleges are you aiming for? What is your GPA? To what extent will you be relying on need based aid, etc. Rigor is more or less important depending upon the answers to these questions.
Most colleges do like to see a sequence of bio, chem, and physics in HS. Nobody can predict if not taking physics will hurt you in the admissions process.
In terms of rigor if you are aiming for top tier colleges you need to ask your guidance counselor if your past/projected schedule is sufficient for him/her to check the box saying you have taken the most rigorous courseload available in your HS.
@lostaccount Sorry for the lack of info! I’m new to this.
I have a 4.0 unweighted and am ranked 9 out of 800 students in my grade. I’m applying to both state colleges (I live in Texas) and top colleges like Georgetown, Columbia etc. This question pertains to the top colleges. Also, I am relying on need based aid (My family’s income combined is a little under 100,000) but we have savings so I’m not concerned with that as much right now. I just want to know if the classes will hurt my admissions chances a lot.
@happy1 I haven’t taken physics, primarily because I know that by taking AP Physics I will likely lose my GPA and rank due to the teacher’s grading policies and my difficulties with science. Maybe I just need to suck it up, and take the class but I’m not sure if colleges look more at a ~slight~ change in rank and GPA or if I skipped out on physics? It’s just I know I’m going to sacrifice either my grades or my rigor either way, so I don’t know which one matters more. Don’t know if it helps but I have taken 4 years of science in HS already- just not physics.
If your not stem then don’t worry about physics but it’s strange since I thought most schools had the sequence that included physics. If you have 4 years of a science you should be fine.
You are too light on sciences. Swap out AP Stats for a science. Take regular physics if you have to. If you are taking Multivariable Calc, then you are probably thinking about STEM and you need physics in HS.
AP European History
AP Econ/AP Government
AP Stats
AP English 4
Multivariable Calculus
Senior Out OR Aide (I get out early or I stay with a teacher and help them out)
Floral Design (I need it for my art credit)
Random elective period