Hey Guys,
I am applying to such colleges as Georgia Tech, University of Michigan, and Vanderbilt. These are like my fit schools. I am also applying to Stanford and Princeton, which are my stretch schools. I need help with senior year schedule in terms of college admission. Obviously, the schedule isn’t the only thing that matters so here is a bit more information about me:
GPA: 4.3/4 (ranked 25/700) (GPA will go up by the end of the year to 4.4)
Scores:
SAT- 2200
ACT- 35
Extracurricular:
Founding member and captain of rugby club; President of a non profit charity club; VP of another charity club; SNHS, NHS, NTHS, Biotech club, HOSA, TSA. (A pretty solid list, I think).
I tutor my neighbor’s kids in math 3 times a week.
Anyways, here is my conundrum.
This is my senior year schedule:
AP Lit
AP Calc AB BC
AP Econ
AP Gov
AP Physics C
Free Period.
Basically, I’m only taking 6 periods of classes (the calc class is a double period: we finish AB by winter break and BC next semester). So technically, its basically only 5 classes in 6 periods out of a possible 7 periods.
Do you think this lack of a 7th period class will negatively affect my chances into any of the colleges I listed above, with the other academics in perspective? I am trying to get an internship to boost my involvement but thus far, have not been successful. Should I be taking another class or do you think I will be fine?
ABSOLUTELY NOT. In fact having a free period is very wise.
What colleges want to see is a rigorous schedule THAT YOU CAN DO WELL IN.
yours is plenty rigorous.
Dont kill yourself, and take on more than you can handle easily.
READ what Stanford has to say about AP classes:
"We want to be clear that this is not a case of “whoever has the most APs wins.”
http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html
you will have the additional responsibility of writing and completing your college applications during your Fall semester- writing all the additional essays that top colleges require, getting teachers to write and submit [ on time] letters of recommendations, submitting SAT scores etc, etc.
Applying to colleges is a part time job in itself.
Smart students realize this and dont overload their schedules.
Having a free period is a great idea- time to do homework, applications, eat, sleep, etc, etc.
Dont let ANYONE convince you otherwise!
now, it I may suggest that you do one thing- take the SAT again.
IF you can get your score over 2350, you will have a better chance of acceptance at your top schools.
But DO realize- Stanford rejects 95% of applicants, so dont make the mistake of letting yourself engage in “magical thinking”, i.e. thinking that you really have a chance of acceptance there or at the most competitive colleges.
if it happens- its a gift.
good luck!
When you have ACT 35, it does not mske sense to retake SAT. It just shows you are score obcessive.
I agree with billcsho - ACT of 35 means you don’t need to retake the SAT, but you will probably need to take SAT IIs for Princeton. Enjoy your senior year and good luck with the rugby club.
@nugraddad will retaking the SAT hurt me?
^^it cant hurt you as colleges look at the highest scores achieved in each category.
Actually, it can. Super selective colleges frown on students who obsess over test scores when they have perfectly good scores, and retake a 2200 - in this case, you’d be a student who tries to best an ACT 35.Retaking a perfectly good score means that student doesn’t have his/her priority straight.
It would also be detrimental to have 4 or 5 or more test dates.
This student should submit his/her ACT score, take 2-3 SAT Subjects, and no longer worry about tests.
To answer your question: colleges typically frown on a free period senior year, they’d rather have you take a “fun” class (3D art, current events, shop…) that shows you learn for the sake of learning, that discovering a subject outside your comfort zone is “fun” for you. The exception to this rule, however, is a student whose senior schedule is all-APs. So, you’re good. 
“Actually, it can. Super selective colleges frown on students who obsess over test scores when they have perfectly good score”
Taking the SAT 4 times = obsessive
Taking it 2 times is quiet normal and would not be looked at in any way as questionable.
A 2200 SAT score is not considered a REALLY GOOD score at the tip top schools the OP is thinking about applying to. Getting over 2350 or close to the 75th percentile scores of accepted students at
Stanford IS considered a really good score.
http://ucomm.stanford.edu/cds/2014#admission
OP has the equivalent of 2300+ with a 35 ACT.
Its up to the OP to decide IF he wants to take it again, isn’t it?.. My advise is yes…
Thanks for your advice guys!
I, btw, have already taken a couple subject tests, but they aren’t the best.
Math 2: 760
Bio (m): 760
Chem: 680
USH: low. Really damn low. Idk why I took it.
Do you think those last two scores will affect college admissions? I heard that if u send a sat subject test score from a certain test date, all other tests scores are sent from that day. I unfortunately took Math 2 with chem and us history. And I don’t have time to retake just the math before some early applications.
I did end up getting a 4 on the chem AP exam and 5 on the US history ap exam, but idk where to include that in my college app.
Do you think the low Sat2 scores might hurt?
BTW, I am signed up for the October SAT. I’m trying to get my reading score up.
SATscores are more important than Subject test scores.
" I unfortunately took Math 2 with chem and us history."
Ouch! that must have left you absolutely drained !
DS made the same mistake, taking the Latin test last after 2 earlier tests on the same day.
But your good scores on the AP tests in APUSH and Chem will show that you DID learn the material.
I would be sure to list them on your application, as well as send those AP test scores directly to the colleges you are applying to.
Not when you have ACT 35 which is equivalent to SAT ~2340. Also, for schools that require SAT2 scores, that should be the top priority after having good SAT/ACT score. When you are taking 3 subjects in SAT2 on the same sitting, prioritize the order with expected performance and school requirement. Most schools only need 2 SAT2 scores.
Schools that require SAT2 scores weigh those results higher than SAT Reasoning. As long as you’ve hit a certain number on the Reasoning test, (2200-2250 for top 10 universities, 2100 generally speaking - and with ACT 35 OP is well above both), they don’t take it into consideration at all. Some admission officers will readily admit that the SAT Subject score is the FIRST thing they look at.